Influence of plant density on productivity and quality indicators of sunflower oilseeds

Abstract

In the agricultural technology of sunflower cultivation, plant density in crops is one of the main conditions that determine its further productivity [5]. The optimal sowing density of sunflower can vary widely and depend on various factors, such as the varietal characteristics of plant, the soil-climatic zone of its cultivation, specific weather conditions and, above all, the moisture supply of plants, especially in the critical phases of sunflower development (flowering and grain filling) [ 8]. It has been proved that the optimal plant density in sunflower crops is such that not only normal growth processes and development of each plant are ensured, but the maximum possible productivity per unit of sown area is also formed. In this regard, in 2018–2020, in the flat zone on the leached chernozems of LLC «Zarya» of the Shovgenovsky district of the Republic of Adygea, studies were carried out (according to B.A. Dospekhov «Methodology of field experience») in order to study the reaction of new promising sunflower hybrids (Gorstar, Natali, Iren, selection of Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution «FSC «VNIIMK named after V.S. Pustovoit», Krasnodar) to change the number of plants per hectare. As a result of the research, the degree of influence of the studied factor on the formation of productive qualities of the studied sunflower hybrids has been established– the diameter of the anthode, the number of oil seeds in it, the mass of achenes from one anthode, the weight of 1000 achenes, the fulfillment of achenes, seed yield, total collection of oil from one hectare area). The studies have shown that the maximum seed yield has been achieved in the hybrids Gorstar and Iren, formed on the second variant (50 thousand pieces/ha). In the Natalie hybrid, the maximum yield was recorded in the variant with a plant density of 60 thousand pieces/ha. From this, it should be noted that with the option of 50 thousand pieces/ha, the Natali hybrid turned out to be 0.62–0.61 t/ha less productive than the Gorstar hybrid and 0.52–0.56 t/ha than the Irene hybrid.The studies were carried out on the equipment of the «Expert» Common Use Center of FSBEI HE «MSTU».