Sunflower A 118 (P64HE118, Pioneer 118) is a medium-maturing simple hybrid with high oleic acid content in seeds, making it particularly valuable for oil production. The hybrid's vegetation period is approximately 117-118 days, and its maturity level is medium. Plants have medium height and demonstrate excellent adaptation to drought conditions, confirmed by high drought resistance. The hybrid is recommended for cultivation in the Forest-Steppe and Steppe regions of Ukraine, where it shows stable and high yields, reaching 31.9–50 centners per hectare under proper agronomic practices, including optimal plant density depending on regional humidity. One of the key features of hybrid A 118 is its high resistance to major sunflower diseases. It shows tolerance to five races of downy mildew (Phytophthora) types A–E, as well as to new races of false powdery mildew. Additionally, the hybrid is resistant to fomopsis, fomosis, stem and head rot, verticillium wilt, and leaf wilt. These qualities provide reliable plant protection and contribute to maintaining high quality and stable yields even under adverse conditions. Hybrid A 118 is characterized by high oleic acid content — up to 75% — which enhances the quality of the oil produced, as well as high oil content in seeds — 50–52%. The plant forms a large number of seeds per head, further contributing to high yield. To achieve maximum yield potential, the ExpressSun® (Granstar/Express) agronomic technology is recommended, which optimizes plant protection and development. Thus, sunflower A 118 is a reliable choice for producers seeking high-quality oil and stable yields in various climatic zones.
