PESTS AND DISEASES. The safflower aphid (Dactynotus carthami), thrips (FranklinieUa sulphurea) and the flower bud fly (Acanihiphilus helianthi Rossi) are the serious pests of the crop. Spraying the crop with O.1% Fenithion, 0.03% Dimethoate and 0.07% Endosulfan is recommended for controlling aphids, thrips and budfly, respectively.

Rust (Puceinia carthami), alternaria leaf-spot (Alternai carthami) and root-rot (Phytophthora drechskri) are the important diseases of safflower. The growing of resistant varieties is recommended to avoid damage from these diseases.

Rust (Puceinia carthami), alternaria leaf-spot (Alternai carthami) and root-rot (Phytophthora drechskri) are the important diseases of safflower. The growing of resistant varieties is recommended to avoid damage from these diseases.

VARIETIES. The varieties under cultivation in dilferent regions of the country are given in Table 6.

Important hints for Obtaining the maximum yields
1. The sowing time should be adjusted in such a way that there will be no rainfall after flowering.
2. Nitrorogen amounting to 20-45 kg per hectare has to be applied, preferably in two split doses, half at the time of sowing and the reMaining half at flowering.
3. Timely inter-cultivation for the eradication of weeds and control measures against pests and diseases should be adopted.

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION. The cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) is a native of southern United States and Mexico, from where it was taken to Spain before the, middle of the sixteenth century. In the nineteenth century, the cultivation of sunflower as an oilaced crop began in the Soviet Union and the majority of the present day varieties grown all-over the world trace back their origin to the USSR. The major sunflower-producing countries of the world are the Soviet Union, Argentina, Bulgaria, Pumania, Turkey and South America. Sunflower, as an oilseed crop, was introduced into India in 1969 and, according to the estimates of the trade and the Vanaspati Manufacturers Association, 3,88,000 hectares of sunflower was grown in India during 1975-76.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. Sunflower is mainly grown for its oil. The oil is used for culinary purposes, in preparation of vanaspati and in the manufacture of soaps and cosmetics. It is especially recommended for heart patients. Its cake is rich in protein and is used as a cattle and poultry feed.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION. Sunflower belongs to the family Compositac and the genus Helianthus. The cultivated genotypes are characterized by a single stem terminating in a capitulum. Sunflower is protandrous, in which the male and female elements mature at different times. There appears to be a time-lag of 18-24 hours in the maturity of the male and female elements. So it is essentially a cross-pollinated plant, besides showing varying degrees of self-incompatibility.

CLIMATIC AND SOIL REQUIREMENTS
Sunflower is a day nuteral palnt can be grown successgullyin different seasons under varying conditions of day length, provided the temperature is favourable. Sunflower, basically a temperature plant, can also be grown commercially in tropical or sub-tropical conditions.It grows best with clearsky and occasionally rain shower during early stages. This corps requirs a cool climate during germination and seedling growth and warm non-cloudy weather and high temperature during flowering to maturity. Sunflower can tolerate temperature range of 8 to 30⁰C but the temperature below 16⁰C and above 40⁰C reduces yield and oil content.High temperature affects pollination and fertilization, thus care should be taken to adjust the sowing date in such a way that flowering does not coincide with high temperature. The optimum temperature for best performance under controlled conditions is 27-28 ⁰C. Sunflower can be planted successfully when soil temperature exceeds10⁰C, though germination begins at 3-5⁰C. Young plants(1 or 2 pairs of leaves)can withstand frost to -6⁰C. However,palnts are frost sensetive from 6-8 leaf stage until flowering finishes. Late frost does not destroy the whole plant but destroys the fruiting head, leading to increased branching, resulting in small heads with many empty fruits. During flowering temperature should be between 18-20⁰C. Goods yields are obtained where the ruling temperature is 18-22⁰C showing that generally speaking the crop needs a warm climate. Average minimum temperature below 17⁰C between flowering and maturity is necessary to ensure best oil quality. The crop is grown from 45⁰S to 55⁰N but greater production is between 20-50⁰S. The crop can be cultivated upto an altitude of 2500m but highest yield of oil is obtained below 1500m. Sunflower cannot tolerate frost and requires a frost free period of 120 days. It is resistant to drought but requires continuous availability of soil moisture for the best performance.

Sunflower can thrive on a wide range of soils such as sandy loam, black soil and alluvial soil, but it performs better on sandy loam soil than on clay soil under similar management. However, good drainage is more important than soil type. Thus, fertile, well drained, medium textured soils having heavy water holding capacity are best suited for the cultivation of sunflower. Sunflower is highly susceptible to water logging. Avoid cultivation of sunflower on soils affected by salts and with poor drainage. the optimun pH requirementis 6.0to 8.5.