Sunflower is an oilseed crop known since ancient times and widely used as a source of oil and nutritious feed. Its origin is considered to be North America, where it was domesticated as early as the third millennium BCE. The plant was introduced to Europe by the Spaniards in the early 16th century and arrived in Ukraine in the mid-18th century. Sunflower seeds contain important essential fatty acids such as linoleic, stearic, and oleic acids, as well as minerals and vitamins of groups A, B, C, E, and K, making them a valuable product for food and industrial use.
The hybrid sunflower Darsun, presented by the producer NERTUS AGRO, is characterized by high yield and adaptability to cultivation in arid regions. This linoleic hybrid has a vegetation period of approximately 110 days and is resistant to races of downy mildew A-G, significantly reducing the risk of yield loss. Plants reach a height of about 170 cm, and the flower head diameter is 22-24 cm. Oil content in the seeds reaches 51%, ensuring high efficiency during processing.
For optimal cultivation, a seeding rate of 55 to 65 thousand seeds per hectare is recommended, depending on soil moisture levels. The Darsun hybrid also exhibits resistance to herbicides based on tribenuron-methyl, which simplifies crop maintenance and enhances productivity. Thanks to these features, sunflower Darsun is suitable for cultivation in steppe and forest-steppe zones, ensuring stable and high-quality yields.
