Achilles

The hybrid sunflower Achilles is a fast-maturing three-line variety developed by crossing sterile simple hybrid Kubanskii 86 with paternal form VK 989. It features optimal morphological and biological traits, including plant height of about 160 cm, which ensures high technological efficiency and resistance to lodging due to a strong stem and well-developed root system. The flower head is thin, convex, medium-sized with optimal inclination, promoting rapid drying upon maturity and preventing seed shattering. The vegetative period ranges from 111 to 122 days, classifying Achilles as a mid-early and fast-maturing hybrid.

Hybrid Achilles exhibits high resistance to major pathogens, including various races of downy mildew (A-E), false powdery mildew (330, 710, 730), and high tolerance to Phomopsis. In field conditions, it is weakly affected by rust and dry rot, ensuring stable yields even under challenging climatic conditions. The 1000-seed mass varies from 57.4 to 70 g, and oil content in seeds reaches 48-52.4%, ensuring high oil yield — up to 12.9 centners per hectare.

Hybrid Achilles is recommended for cultivation in the North Caucasus and Middle Volga regions, including Krasnodar Krai. It demonstrates high productivity: average seed yield ranges from 21.2 to 25.2 centners per hectare, with maximum yields reaching up to 38.8 centners per hectare in the North Caucasus region and 37.8 centners per hectare in the Middle Volga. High oil content and stable yield make Achilles a profitable choice for farmers seeking high-quality and economically efficient products.