AGRICULTURE NEWS - Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has always been an important summer crop in the South African oilseed industry, and over the years it has gained a reputation as an ideal crop to grow under low-input and relatively marginal conditions.
Sunflower is suited to warm and dry conditions, and production is concentrated mostly in the southern, central and western Free State, North West, and some parts of Limpopo. Between 2009 and 2021, the average area under sunflower cultivation in South Africa was 552 000ha, with mean production of 715 000t/year over this period.
The crop works well in rotation systems, particularly in the drier summer production areas, and is adapted to a wide variety of soil types, from heavy clay to sandy loam. This makes it ideal for mitigating production risks.
Read the full article here on the Caxton Publication, Farmers Weekly
