Field Evaluation of Pollen-free Sunflower Cultivars for Cut Flower Production

Abstract

<jats:p>Thirteen single-stem and 16 branching sunflower (<jats:italic>Helianthus annuus</jats:italic>) cultivars were evaluated in field trials at the North Mississippi Research and Extension Center in Verona for cut flower production. The objective of this study was to assess the production potential of field-grown, pollen-free sunflowers in the Mississippi environment. The stem length, stem diameter, and bloom diameter of the sunflower cultivars were assessed over six planting dates during the summer growing season to determine cultivar market potential. All the single-stem cultivars produced stem diameters greater than 1.4 cm and were too large for general florist usage. The stems and flowers of the branching cultivars were smaller than the single-stem cultivars, and were a better size for many floral arrangements. The yield of stems from the branching cultivars ranged from three to 13 stems per plant over six planting dates. In the branching group, the dark-flowered cultivars produced the greatest number and the longest stems in the trial. Yellow/gold-flowered branching sunflowers in this trial did not produce as many stems and the stem lengths were shorter compared to the dark-flowered sunflowers.</jats:p>

Response of Ornamental Sunflower Cultivars ‘Sunbeam’ and ‘Moonbright’ to Irrigation With Saline Wastewaters

“…Flower size was not significantly affected as the EC in CV waters rose from 2.5 to 20 dS·m −1 , whereas flower diameters of both cultivars irrigated with SJV waters were reduced once the salinity reached 20 dS·m −1 (Table 2). Across salinity levels and cultivars, flower diameters ranged from 8 to 14 cm, well within the size preferred for floral arrangements (Sloan and Harkness, 2006).…”

“…In all treatments, cultivars 'Sunbeam' and 'Moonbright' met quality standards as determined by stem and bloom diameters. Diameters of the gerbera-sized inflorescences ranged from 14 to 8 cm, a desirable size for general floral arrangements (Sloan and Harkness, 2006). Except for the highest salinity treatment (20 dS·m −1 ), however, stem length greatly exceeded the standard 60-90 cm preferred by florists.…”

“…Stem diameters were measured 1 cm above the sand level. Quality of the flowering stems was rated using the standards given by Sloan and Harkness (2006): stem length 60 to 90 cm, stem diameter 0.5 to 1.5 cm, and bloom diameter 8 to 15 cm. Inflorescences were removed and shoots were separated into lower and upper leaves and lower and upper stems.…”

“…This effect, however, was more pronounced for sunflower irrigated with sodium sulfate-dominated waters (SJV) than with CV waters (i.e., 65% and ∼ 40% reduction in stem length, respectively). Except at the highest salinity levels (e.g., 'Sunbeam' irrigated with waters of either composition, and 'Moonbright' irrigated with SJV waters), stems exceeded the length (60 to 90 cm) preferred by florists (Sloan and Harkness, 2006). Stems, however, can easily be shortened postharvest and should not detract from overall market value of the crop.…”

Review

“…However, the flowers are too large for most market applications. Sloan and Harkness (2006) suggest that sunflowers with stem lengths 60-90 cm, stem diameters 0.5-1.5 cm, and bloom diameters 8-15 cm are more acceptable for the florists' trade.…”