Sunflower ES MILENA is a high-yielding ultra-early hybrid intended for cultivation in central, western, and northern regions of Ukraine, including Polissia and forest-steppe. This hybrid features a short vegetation period of 90 to 100 days, enabling early harvest. Plants reach a height of approximately 150 cm, and the flower head diameter is about 23 cm. Seeds are black, with a 1000-seed weight of around 62 grams, indicating good seed quality.
ES MILENA boasts high yield potential, reaching up to 45 centners per hectare, with oil content in seeds potentially reaching 51%. The hybrid exhibits excellent early growth vigor and effectively utilizes soil moisture reserves, ensuring drought resistance. Drought resistance is rated at 7 points, and lodging resistance at 8, making it a reliable choice for various soil-climate conditions.
Special attention has been given to the hybrid’s resistance to major sunflower diseases. ES MILENA demonstrates high tolerance to Phomopsis, sclerotinia (both flower heads and stems), rust, and verticillium, with resistance ratings ranging from 8 to 9. Additionally, the hybrid is resistant to five strains of downy mildew (A–E). All these characteristics make ES MILENA an effective and stable hybrid capable of delivering high-quality yields under various cultivation conditions.
