Sunflower variety 'Almaz' is an early-maturing and high-yielding variety, distinguished by high resistance to powdery mildew, false powdery mildew, sunflower moth, and downy mildew. The vegetation period is 90-95 days, enabling harvest within relatively short timeframes. Plants reach a height of 150-170 cm, and large oval-shaped seeds, black in color with gray stripes, characterize this variety as confectionery-grade. The 1000-seed mass is approximately 100 g, and the seed protein content reaches 17.7%, oil content 44-48%, making them a valuable raw material for the food industry and a substitute for nut-based raw materials. The seed purity does not exceed 24%. Variety 'Almaz' is characterized by high drought resistance and lodging resistance, ensuring stable yields under various climatic conditions. Average yield ranges from 38.6-43.8 c/ha, reaching 59.1-62.5 c/ha under irrigation, with a potential yield of about 42 c/ha. Recommended planting density varies by region: in steppes — 30-34 thousand plants per hectare, in forest-steppe — 36-40 thousand plants per hectare. Sunflower prefers open, well-lit areas with loose, well-drained, non-acidic soils. Seeds are sown in April-May, planted 1.5-2 cm deep according to a 30x40 cm scheme, 2-3 seeds per hole. Seeds begin to germinate at a temperature of 5°C and can withstand frosts down to -6°C. Seedling care includes loosening inter-row spaces, watering, and fertilizing, ensuring adequate nutrition for plants during the vegetation period. Flowering occurs 75-80 days after emergence, and harvest is conducted as the seeds mature. Additionally, variety 'Almaz' is a good honey plant, adding additional value for agriculture.
