The hybrid sunflower Equator is an early-maturing chemical hybrid developed using Clearfield technology and resistant to herbicides of the imidazolinone group, such as EuroLightning, providing effective weed control without damaging the crop. The vegetation period ranges from 100 to 112 days, plant height varies from 160 to 180 cm depending on moisture conditions, and the head diameter reaches 18-24 cm. Seeds are coated with fungicide, growth stimulator, and polymer dye, enhancing germination and disease resistance. The package contains 150,000 seeds, with a thousand-seed weight of 52-62 grams and oil content in seeds reaching 48-51%.
The hybrid Equator exhibits high resistance to major sunflower diseases, including gray and white mold, rust, sclerotinia, fomoz, and downy mildew, as well as to six aggressive races of downy mildew (A-F+). Drought tolerance is rated at 9 points, enabling cultivation in various climatic conditions, including the Forest Steppe, Polissia, and Steppe of Ukraine. Plants have high leafiness, low shattering, and resistance to lodging, which helps preserve yield and facilitates harvest.
The yield potential of the hybrid reaches 5.6 tons per hectare, with an average yield from trials of approximately 3.5 tons per hectare. The optimal planting density before harvest is 50-55 thousand plants per hectare. Recommended preceding crops for sowing are potato, corn, and winter wheat. Due to its characteristics and adaptation to adverse conditions, the sunflower Equator is a reliable choice for producing high-quality oilseed.
