Sunflower Sotnik

SOTNIK is a mid-late maturity, three-line hybrid sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), intended for cultivation in the Volga and Ural regions. The plant is characterized by medium height at maturity, absence of branching, and green leaf coloration. The hybrid’s vegetation period ranges from 126 to 133 days, ensuring optimal flowering and maturation time. Seeds have a mass of 49–52.5 grams per 1000 units, with yellow flower petal coloration and weak leaf pubescence. The SOTNIK hybrid exhibits high yield: average values are 18.3 centners per hectare in the Volga region and 15.4 centners per hectare in the Ural region, with maximum yields reaching 26.8 and 29.7 centners per hectare, respectively. Oil content in the seeds varies from 46 to 49.2%, ensuring oil collection within the range of 5.4–5.9 centners per hectare. These characteristics make the hybrid attractive for sunflower oil production, both in food and technical applications. In terms of disease resistance, SOTNIK demonstrates high resistance to false powdery mildew and moderate susceptibility to white mold. In field conditions, the hybrid is weakly affected by gray mold and downy mildew, but may be susceptible to rust. Thanks to these traits, as well as stable yield and seed quality, the SOTNIK hybrid is a reliable choice for farmers seeking efficient and sustainable sunflower production.