Confectionery sunflower production and the agronomic basis of yield and seed quality formation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32819/202604Keywords:
confectionery sunflower; cultivar-specific management; plant density; mineral nutrition; seed quality; drought adaptation; kernel yield; genotype; environment interaction.Abstract
Abstract. Confectionery sunflower is a distinct segment of sunflower production in which agronomic efficiency is determined not only by seed yield, but also by seed size, uniformity, hullability, kernel recovery, and processing suitability. Unlike oilseed sunflower, confectionery genotypes are characterized by larger seeds, specific hull traits, lower oil concentration, and a stronger dependence of commercial value on visual and technological quality. This makes quality-oriented agronomic optimization especially important under variable environmental conditions. The objective of this review was to summarize the agronomic factors that should be differentiated according to cultivar traits in order to improve both productivity and market quality in confectionery sunflower. The review was based on the analysis of international and regional peer-reviewed publications focused on genotype response, plant density, stand structure, mineral nutrition, foliar feeding, water regime, seed filling, and quality formation. The available evidence shows that cultivar-specific responses substantially affect the efficiency of agronomic practices. Plant density and stand structure regulate not only seed yield, but also seed caliber, fraction uniformity, and the output of marketable seed classes. Mineral nutrition and foliar feeding influence vegetative growth, reproductive development, seed filling, and the balance between biological productivity and commercial quality. Water regime and climatic variability further modify cultivar performance and may shift the agronomic optimum depending on genotype plasticity, stability, and stress sensitivity. The review demonstrates that agronomic success in confectionery sunflower should not be interpreted as maximum achene yield alone. The most effective management strategy is the one that ensures a balanced combination of seed yield, large-seed fraction, kernel-related traits, processing suitability, and economic value. The analysis also shows that cultivar-specific management remains relevant across contrasting environments, although its practical implementation depends on local climate, resource supply, and market orientation. The main research gaps concern insufficient integration of agronomy with seed grading and processing traits, limited exploitation of confectionery-specific diversity, and the lack of comprehensive genotype, environment and management frameworks. Overall, cultivar-specific management provides a promising basis for improving the productivity, stability, and market value of confectionery sunflower under changing environmental and economic conditions
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