Sunflower APS 21

APS 21 — mid-early sunflower hybrid developed for the ExpressSun® technology. The vegetation period is approximately 105–110 days, plant height reaches 170–185 cm. The hybrid features high oil content in seeds — from 48 to 51 %, ensuring high yield potential. Seeds have a mass of about 59.6 g per 1000 seeds, with oil content reaching 48 %, enabling up to 9.4 tons of oil per hectare. The plant exhibits resistance to lodging, shattering, and a range of diseases, including false powdery mildew, fomosis, fomopsis, white and gray rot, as well as rust. Additionally, the hybrid is resistant to races of *Aphelenchus avenae* A-G+ and herbicides based on tribenuron-methyl, facilitating crop protection.

APS 21 plants have semi-tilted flower heads and respond well to high agronomic inputs, especially boron fertilizers, which enhance quality and yield. Recommended planting density varies depending on the moisture zone: 45–50 thousand plants per hectare in the moderate moisture zone and 50–55 thousand plants per hectare in the sufficient moisture zone. For crop protection, insecticide-fungicide treatment using APRON® GOLD, MAXIM®, and CRUISER® is recommended.

Sunflower APS 21 is an important agricultural crop, playing a significant role in the food industry due to its high-quality oil. Moreover, sunflower is widely used in the paint and coating industry and as animal feed. Thanks to its robust root system and high yield potential, this hybrid is suitable for cultivation on large areas with subsequent storage at elevators.