Sunflower Lunniy F1 is an early-maturing trihybrid with a vegetation period of 95-105 days, developed by the VNILS breeding program. The plant is characterized by rapid development in early growth stages and high resistance to a wide spectrum of diseases, including fusarium, fusarium wilt, rust, powdery mildew, gray and white mold, as well as pests such as sunflower moth. The hybrid also exhibits high resistance to stress conditions, particularly drought and lodging, making it especially suitable for cultivation in dry regions of Ukraine, such as the Steppes and Forest-Steppe.
Plants reach a height of 170-180 cm and have large, convex heads with a diameter of 22-24 cm and slight inclination. The seeds are small-seeded type, containing oil with an extraction rate of 49-51%, ensuring high yield potential up to 52 centners per hectare, with average yields over test years around 34-35 centners per hectare. Seed oil content is 20-23%, facilitating ease of processing and handling. The hybrid is also resistant to lodging and herbicides containing Granstar, simplifying crop management.
For successful cultivation, sowing in open ground is recommended in late April to early May, with plant spacing of 20-30 cm and plant density of 55-60 thousand plants per hectare. Seeds should be lightly covered with soil, and seedlings emerge within 7-14 days at soil temperatures of +18-25 °C. For earlier flowering, sowing in nursery pots in early April is possible, as plants do not tolerate transplanting well. Well-drained, nutrient-rich soils and sunny open areas are preferred.
