| In an effort to increase farmers' incomes and diversify the rotational system, some novel oilseed crops are being evaluated in the Maritime Provinces. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus, L.), as one of the high value oilseed crops, was evaluated in terms of variety, seeding date and application of N, B and Mo in a two-year (2004--2005) and three-site (Truro, NS; Charlottetown, PEI; and Hartland, NB) field experiment. Both yield and seed quality varied significantly among different varieties of Sunola and standard height sunflower. Seeding date and application of N, B and Mo influenced plant growth and development to some extent but they had very little effect on sunflower seed or oil yield and fatty acid composition. N application increased tissue N concentration, N uptake and seed protein content but decreased oil content. Bird damage, sclerotinia and corn borer were found to be significant challenges for sunflower production in the Maritimes. |
