Title

Fertilizing Sunflower

(SF713 Revised Sept. 2022)
File
Publication File:
Summary

This publication contains updated information for use in backup of the N calculator for sunflower, and also includes information for sunflower growers in the Langdon Region

Lead Author
Lead Author:
Dave Franzen Extension Soil Science Specialist
Availability
Availability:
Web only
Publication Sections

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a New World crop, domesticated in eastern North America about 4,000 years ago (Blackman et al., 2011). Perhaps due to the development of sunflower relatively recently in human history and its breeding as an oil seed for yield, the efficiency of nitrogen (N) utilization by sunflower is relatively high. Nitrogen application increases plant height but may or may not increase yield.

Oilseed sunflower is grown, as the name indicates, for oil content. Increasing the N rate increases seed protein and decreases oil concentration (Darby et al., 2013). Confection sunflower is grown for human consumption as a snack food. It is dehulled and the kernel is used on salads, and in sunflower butter and bakery goods. It is also incorporated into snack foods and other food recipes.

Nitrogen recommendations in North Dakota are now based on a yield-independent economic production function, while for most other states, including South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas, N recommendations are based on expected-yield formulas. Formulas include reducing N recommendations due to soil test nitrate (Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Kansas), organic matter (Kansas, Nebraska) and all states by manure and previous crop credits. In contrast to the implied N response formula, which most often is constructed as [(yield expected (pounds per acre) multiplied by 0.05) less credits], recent N rate experiments in other states have achieved less yield response to N than expected (Darby et al., 2013; Scheiner et al., 2002).

This publication of North Dakota sunflower N recommendations is based on the results from 52 total experiments: four North Dakota N rate experiments in 2012-13, 40 North Dakota N and phosphorus (P) rate experiments in 2014-15, and eight N and P rate experiments in South Dakota in 2014-15, with 48 total experiments taken to yield.

The results from these studies indicate that yield is independent of N rate, meaning that any formula of (Yield X (a factor) = N rate) is incorrect and nonpredictive in North Dakota. Nitrogen rate is related to relative yield within an environment, not actual yield. In addition, the recommendations account for the greater susceptibility to lodging with higher N rates and the relationship between higher N rates and increased sunflower disease. Although in the absence of high wind and disease, higher yield might be possible with higher N rates than those in the recommendation tables or in the future N calculator for sunflower, sunflower growers assume a greater lodging and disease risk if they choose to use higher rates.

For the interactive North Dakota Sunflower Nitrogen Calculator, go to https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/temp/cnc/.

Nitrogen

The sunflower recommendations are regionally-based and tillage-based. Perhaps due to the deeper rooting nature of sunflower, soil texture had less effect on yield compared with clay texture effect on corn N use efficiency in previous studies. However, at most sites that were planted to sunflowers for the first time in more than 30 years or did not have a deep-rooted crop such as sugar beets or sunflowers within the past five years, yield response was very slight, if any increase occurred. Oil content tended to be near or below 40%, even with zero added N. This would be possible only if these locations have some unaccounted-for deep N. The western North Dakota site that was not planted to sunflower for at least five years experienced a major drought in 2012, followed by relatively wet seasons in 2013-2015, which may have moved N downward in the soil. In the sunflower crop of 2015, the deeper N in this field likely was tapped, resulting in no yield increase with higher N rates and relatively low oil content in the seed. The sites in eastern North Dakota without sugar beet or sunflower in recent memory likewise did not have increased yield with higher N rates and had oil content that, even at the zero N rate, was below 40%.

If practical, new fields intended for sunflower should be sampled to a 4-foot depth to determine if deep N should be considered in N fertility recommendations. About 30 pounds of N from 2 to 4 feet in depth are assumed but not subtracted from N recommendations. If the 2- to 4-foot soil nitrate test is greater than 30 pounds N per acre, then the extra N should be subtracted from the total N recommendation.

If deeper soil sampling is not practical, an N nonlimiting area of a full rate of N based on the N calculator or the N recommendation tables should be applied, and about half the N calculator rate should be applied to the rest of the field. Using an active-optical sensor or “best-guess” assessment of color differences and vigor of the N nonlimiting area, compared with the rest of the field, a decision whether or not to apply additional N in-season could be made or not made between stage V-8 to R1 (approximately V12 to V14) using a side-dress applicator or high-clearance applicator (Figure 1). In fields without a history of sunflower, sugar beet or another deep-rooted crop such as safflower, no additional N likely needs to be applied.

Figure 1.
Photo Credit:
Don Lilliboe
Figure 1. Side-dressing ammonia on sunflowers about V8.

Soil sampling to 2 feet in depth is very important for N recommendations in this region. Including soil test nitrate-N into analysis of N rate vs sunflower yield trials greatly increased the relationship of total known available N to relative yield in all regions.

There are differences in the response of sunflower in eastern North Dakota compared to those in western North Dakota (Figure 2). In addition, the Langdon region is separated from the rest of eastern North Dakota due to the small shale pieces the soil in this region contains. These shale pieces are the source of mineralizable, plant-available ammonium, causing these soils to act as a natural slow-release N fertilizer. The N recommended in the Langdon Region is less than in the rest of the eastern region.

Figure 2.
Figure 2. Regions of eastern North Dakota, the Langdon area and western North Dakota important to North Dakota sunflower N recommendations. Soils in the Langdon area
contain small pieces of shale that release N during the growing season, making the N rate recommendations for Langdon less than those in the rest of eastern North
Dakota.

In the state, long-term no-till sites, those sites with continuous no-till for at least six years, required less N to achieve maximum economic yield compared to sites under conventional tillage. Similar results have also been recorded in spring wheat/durum and in corn, whose recommendations also contain reduced N rates for long-term no-till management.

Some harvest loss is likely with lodging, so the upper values of N rate were reduced to limit lodging loss. Although white mold and downy mildew seemed to be related to N rate in experiment observation, only one site was rated for disease in each treatment. This site, north of Dickinson, North Dakota, was rated at harvest for sunflower rust, which is caused by the fungus Puccinia helianthi. The results of the rating are available in Table 1.

Table 1. Sunflower rust severity rating as a result of N rate, Dickinson, North Dakota, 2015.

N rate,
lb. per acre

Sunflower rust
rating*

0

0.65 a

40

1.51 ab

80

2.25 b

120

1.53 ab

160

1.25 ab

200

1.63 ab


* Ratings made on images obtained by retired agronomist Roger Ashley and rated by Samuel Markel, NDSU Extension plant pathologist.

Excessive wind resulting in sunflower root lodging or stalk breakage does not happen in every sunflower field every year, but lodging is a concern of most sunflower growers. Several research sites were affected by wind each year, and lodging severity was directly related to N rate (Figure 3).

Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Figure 3. Percent sunflower lodging with increased available N at Belfield and Bottineau sites, 2015.

Although in the N rate experiments all heads were included in yield, sunflower growers would suffer a decrease in harvest efficiency when sunflowers are on or near the ground. Therefore, the N rate is capped, even though small increases in yield and marginal profit might be possible with greater N rates in nonwind-affected growing seasons.

Seed oil content of oil-seed sunflowers always decreased with N rate, regardless of yield response. The economic impact of available N on yield response, seed oil response and N cost is factored into each N recommendation. Highest N rates are moderated due to possible harvestable yield reduction due to lodging. The N rate recommendations are available in Tables 2-13.

Table 2a. Eastern region conventional tillage confection sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

0.09

160

107

43

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

160

155

107

59

11

0

0

0

0

0.15

160

160

145

107

69

30

0

0

0

0.18

160

160

160

139

107

75

43

11

0

0.21

160

160

160

160

134

107

79

52

25

0.24

160

160

160

160

155

131

107

83

59

0.27

160

160

160

160

160

149

128

107

86

0.30

160

160

160

160

160

160

145

126

107

0.33

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

142

139

0.36

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

155

151

0.39

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

0.42

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

0.45

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

0.48

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

0.51

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

0.55

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

0.60

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

 

Table 2b. Eastern region conventional tillage confection sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

 

0.09

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

24

11

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.27

64

43

22

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.30

88

68

49

30

11

0

0

0

0

0

0.33

107

89

72

55

37

20

0

0

0

0

0.36

123

107

91

75

57

43

27

11

0

0

0.39

136

119

107

92

77

63

48

33

20

0

0.42

160

134

120

107

93

79

64

52

38

25

0.45

160

147

132

120

107

94

81

68

56

43

0.48

160

160

143

131

119

107

96

83

71

59

0.51

160

160

152

141

129

118

107

96

84

73

0.55

160

160

160

152

142

131

121

110

100

89

0.60

160

160

160

160

155

144

136

126

116

107

 

Table 3a. Eastern region conventional tillage oilseed sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

0.09

150

135

124

111

96

84

72

59

47

0.12

150

145

135

125

116

106

96

87

78

0.15

150

150

143

135

127

119

112

104

96

0.18

150

150

148

141

135

128

126

115

109

0.21

150

150

150

146

141

135

129

124

118

0.24

150

150

150

150

145

140

130

130

125

0.27

150

150

150

150

148

144

135

135

131

0.30

150

150

150

150

150

147

139

139

135

0.33

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

138

0.36

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

142

0.39

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

144

0.42

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

146

0.45

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

148

0.48

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

0.51

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

0.55

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

0.60

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

 

Table 3b. Eastern region conventional tillage oilseed sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

 

0.09

35

23

12

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

68

59

50

41

32

23

14

0

0

0

0.15

89

81

74

67

59

52

45

38

30

23

0.18

103

96

90

84

78

72

65

59

53

47

0.21

113

107

102

96

91

86

80

75

70

65

0.24

120

115

111

106

101

95

91

87

83

78

0.27

126

122

118

113

109

105

102

96

92

88

0.30

131

127

123

119

115

112

108

104

100

96

0.33

135

131

128

124

121

117

116

110

107

103

0.36

138

135

132

128

125

122

119

115

112

109

0.39

141

138

135

132

129

126

123

120

117

114

0.42

143

141

138

135

132

129

127

124

121

118

0.45

145

143

140

138

135

132

130

127

124

122

0.48

147

145

142

140

137

135

132

130

128

125

0.51

150

147

144

142

140

137

135

133

130

128

0.55

150

150

146

144

142

140

138

136

134

131

0.60

150

150

148

146

144

142

141

139

137

135

 

Table 4a. Eastern region long-term no-till oilseed sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

0.09

34

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

67

18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

89

47

11

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

100

67

36

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

100

82

55

27

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

100

92

69

45

21

0

0

0

0

0.27

100

100

80

58

37

15

0

0

0

0.30

100

100

89

68

49

30

11

0

0

0.33

100

100

95

76

60

40

23

0

0

0.36

100

100

100

84

67

51

35

19

0

0.39

100

100

100

90

75

60

44

30

15

0.42

100

100

100

96

81

67

53

39

25

0.45

100

100

100

100

87

74

61

47

35

0.48

100

100

100

100

92

80

67

55

43

0.51

100

100

100

100

97

85

73

61

50

0.55

100

100

100

100

100

91

80

69

58

0.60

100

100

100

100

100

97

87

77

67

 

Table 4b. Eastern region long-term no-till oilseed sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

 

0.09

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.27

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.30

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.33

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.36

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.39

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.42

12

12

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.45

22

22

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.48

30

30

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.51

38

38

16

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.55

47

47

26

16

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.60

57

57

38

28

18

10

0

0

0

0

 

Table 5a. Eastern region long-term no-till confection sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

0.09

44

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

77

28

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

99

57

21

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

110

77

46

10

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

110

92

65

37

10

0

0

0

0

0.24

110

102

79

55

31

0

0

0

0

0.27

110

110

90

68

47

25

0

0

0

0.30

110

110

99

78

59

40

21

0

0

0.33

110

110

105

86

70

50

33

10

0

0.36

110

110

110

94

77

61

45

29

0

0.39

110

110

110

100

85

70

54

40

25

0.42

110

110

110

106

91

77

63

49

35

0.45

110

110

110

110

97

84

71

57

45

0.48

110

110

110

110

102

90

77

65

53

0.51

110

110

110

110

107

95

83

71

60

0.55

110

110

110

110

110

101

90

79

68

0.60

110

110

110

110

110

107

97

87

77

 

Table 5b. Eastern region long-term no-till confection sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

 

0.09

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.27

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.30

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.33

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.36

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.39

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.42

22

22

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.45

32

32

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.48

40

40

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.51

48

48

26

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.55

57

57

36

26

10

0

0

0

0

0

0.60

67

57

48

38

28

20

0

0

0

0

 

Table 6a. Langdon region conventional tillage, confection sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

0.09

120

67

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

120

115

67

19

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

120

120

105

67

29

0

0

0

0

0.18

120

120

120

99

67

35

0

0

0

0.21

120

120

120

120

94

67

39

12

0

0.24

120

120

120

120

115

91

67

43

19

0.27

120

120

120

120

120

109

88

67

46

0.30

120

120

120

120

120

120

105

86

67

0.33

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

102

99

0.36

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

115

111

0.39

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

0.42

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

0.45

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

0.48

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

0.51

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

0.55

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

0.60

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

120

 

Table 6b. Langdon region conventional tillage, confection sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

 

0.09

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.27

24

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.30

48

28

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.33

67

49

10

15

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.36

83

67

32

35

17

0

0

0

0

0

0.39

96

94

51

52

37

10

10

0

0

0

0.42

108

107

67

67

53

24

24

12

0

0

0.45

120

120

80

80

67

41

41

28

16

0

0.48

120

120

92

91

79

56

56

43

31

19

0.51

120

120

112

101

89

67

67

56

44

33

0.55

120

120

120

112

102

91

81

70

60

49

0.60

120

120

120

120

115

104

96

86

76

67

 

Table 7a. Langdon region conventional tillage, oilseed sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

0.09

110

57

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

110

115

57

10

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

110

110

105

57

19

0

0

0

0

0.18

110

110

110

89

57

25

0

0

0

0.21

110

110

110

110

84

57

29

0

0

0.24

110

110

110

110

105

81

57

33

10

0.27

110

110

110

110

110

99

78

57

36

0.30

110

110

110

110

110

110

95

76

57

0.33

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

92

89

0.36

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

115

91

0.39

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

0.42

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

0.45

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

0.48

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

0.51

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

0.55

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

0.60

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

 

Table 7b. Langdon region conventional tillage, oilseed sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

 

0.09

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.27

14

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.30

38

18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.33

57

39

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.36

73

57

32

25

10

0

0

0

0

0

0.39

86

84

41

32

27

0

0

0

0

0

0.42

98

97

57

57

43

14

14

0

0

0

0.45

110

110

70

70

57

31

31

18

10

0

0.48

110

110

82

81

69

46

46

33

21

10

0.51

110

110

92

91

79

57

57

46

34

23

0.55

110

110

110

102

92

81

71

60

50

39

0.60

110

110

110

110

115

94

86

76

66

57

 

Table 8a. Langdon region, long-term no-till confection sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

0.09

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

47

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

69

27

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

80

47

16

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

80

62

35

10

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

80

72

49

25

0

0

0

0

0

0.27

80

80

60

38

17

0

0

0

0

0.30

80

80

69

48

29

10

0

0

0

0.33

80

80

75

56

40

20

10

0

0

0.36

80

80

80

64

47

31

15

0

0

0.39

80

80

80

70

55

40

24

10

0

0.42

80

80

80

76

61

47

33

19

10

0.45

80

80

80

80

67

54

41

27

15

0.48

80

80

80

80

72

60

47

35

23

0.51

80

80

80

80

77

65

53

41

30

0.55

80

80

80

80

80

71

60

49

38

0.60

80

80

80

80

80

77

67

57

47

 

Table 8b. Langdon region, long-term no-till confection sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

 

0.09

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.27

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.30

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.33

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.36

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.39

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.42

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.45

10

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.48

10

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.51

18

18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.55

27

27

16

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.60

37

27

18

18

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

Table 9a. Langdon region, long-term no-till oilseed sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

0.09

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

17

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

59

17

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

70

37

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

70

52

25

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

70

62

39

15

0

0

0

0

0

0.27

70

70

50

28

10

0

0

0

0

0.30

70

70

59

38

19

0

0

0

0

0.33

70

70

65

46

20

10

0

0

0

0.36

70

70

70

54

37

21

10

0

0

0.39

70

70

70

70

45

30

14

0

0

0.42

70

70

70

70

51

37

23

10

0

0.45

70

70

70

70

57

44

31

17

10

0.48

70

70

70

70

62

50

37

25

15

0.51

70

70

70

70

67

55

43

31

20

0.55

70

70

70

70

70

61

50

39

28

0.60

70

70

70

70

70

67

57

27

37

 

Table 9b. Langdon region, long-term no-till oilseed sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

 

0.09

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.27

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.30

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.33

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.36

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.39

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.42

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.45

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.48

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.51

10

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.55

17

17

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.60

27

17

10

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

Table 10a. Western region long-term no-till confection sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

0.09

86

37

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

110

75

37

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

110

95

66

37

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

110

110

86

61

38

0

0

0

0

0.21

110

110

100

79

58

38

0

0

0

0.24

110

110

110

92

73

55

38

20

0

0.27

110

110

110

102

85

69

55

38

22

0.30

110

110

110

110

95

81

69

52

38

0.33

110

110

110

110

102

90

81

65

52

0.36

110

110

110

110

110

100

90

73

63

0.39

110

110

110

110

110

110

100

82

73

0.42

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

89

81

0.45

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

99

88

0.48

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

101

94

0.51

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

106

99

0.55

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

106

0.60

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

110

 

Table 10b. Western region long-term no-till confection sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

 

0.09

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.27

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.30

26

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.33

39

27

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.36

51

39

28

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.39

61

50

39

29

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.42

70

60

50

39

39

29

0

0

0

0

0.45

78

68

58

49

49

39

11

0

0

0

0.48

85

75

66

57

57

48

23

12

0

0

0.51

90

82

73

65

65

56

31

21

13

0

0.55

95

89

81

73

73

65

40

32

24

17

0.60

105

97

90

83

83

75

51

44

37

29

 

Table 11a. Western region long-term no-till oilseed sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

0.09

76

27

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

100

65

27

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

100

85

56

27

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

100

100

76

51

28

0

0

0

0

0.21

100

100

100

69

48

28

0

0

0

0.24

100

100

100

82

63

45

28

10

0

0.27

100

100

100

92

75

59

45

28

12

0.30

100

100

100

100

85

71

59

42

28

0.33

100

100

100

100

102

80

71

55

42

0.36

100

100

100

100

100

100

80

63

53

0.39

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

72

63

0.42

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

79

71

0.45

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

89

78

0.48

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

91

84

0.51

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

96

89

0.55

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

96

0.60

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

 

Table 11b. Western region long-term no-till oilseed sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

 

0.09

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.27

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.30

16

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.33

29

17

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.36

41

29

18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.39

51

40

29

19

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.42

60

50

40

29

29

19

0

0

0

0

0.45

68

58

48

39

39

29

0

0

0

0

0.48

75

65

56

47

47

38

13

0

0

0

0.51

80

72

63

55

55

46

21

11

0

0

0.55

85

79

71

63

63

55

30

22

14

10

0.60

95

87

80

73

73

65

41

34

27

19

 

Table 12a. Western region conventional tillage, confection sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

0.09

136

87

40

20

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

160

105

87

40

20

0

0

0

0

0.15

160

145

116

87

60

40

0

0

0

0.18

160

160

136

111

88

60

0

0

0

0.21

160

160

160

129

108

88

40

20

0

0.24

160

160

160

142

123

105

78

60

20

0.27

160

160

160

152

135

119

105

88

62

0.30

160

160

160

160

145

131

119

102

88

0.33

160

160

160

160

160

140

131

115

102

0.36

160

160

160

160

160

160

140

123

113

0.39

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

132

123

0.42

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

139

131

0.45

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

149

138

0.48

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

151

144

0.51

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

156

149

0.55

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

156

0.60

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

160

 

Table 12b. Western region conventional tillage, confection sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

 

0.09

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.27

20

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.30

66

20

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.33

89

77

20

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.36

101

89

58

20

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.39

111

100

89

79

20

0

0

0

0

0

0.42

120

110

100

89

59

20

0

0

0

0

0.45

128

118

108

99

89

69

20

0

0

0

0.48

135

125

116

107

97

88

53

20

0

0

0.51

140

132

123

115

105

96

81

41

20

0

0.55

145

139

131

123

113

105

90

72

54

30

0.60

155

147

140

133

123

115

101

94

87

79

 

Table 13a. Western region conventional tillage, oilseed sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

1.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

0.09

136

77

30

10

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

150

95

77

30

10

0

0

0

0

0.15

150

135

106

87

50

30

0

0

0

0.18

150

150

126

101

78

50

0

0

0

0.21

150

150

150

119

98

78

30

10

0

0.24

150

150

150

132

113

95

68

50

10

0.27

150

150

150

142

115

109

95

78

52

0.30

150

150

150

150

135

121

109

92

78

0.33

150

150

150

150

150

130

121

105

92

0.36

150

150

150

150

150

150

130

113

103

0.39

150

150

150

150

150

150

140

122

113

0.42

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

129

121

0.45

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

139

128

0.48

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

141

134

0.51

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

146

139

0.55

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

146

0.60

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

150

 

Table 13b. Western region conventional tillage, oilseed sunflower N recommendations based on N cost and sunflower price.

Sunflower $ per pound

N cost $ per pound

1.10

1.20

1.30

1.40

1.50

1.60

1.70

1.80

1.90

2.00

Total Known Available N Recommended, pounds per acre*

* Total known available N includes soil test N to 2 feet, previous crop credit and fertilizer amendment N rate.

 

0.09

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.12

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.15

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.18

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.21

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.24

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.27

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.30

56

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.33

79

67

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.36

91

79

48

10

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.39

101

90

79

69

10

0

0

0

0

0

0.42

110

100

90

79

49

10

0

0

0

0

0.45

118

108

98

89

79

59

10

0

0

0

0.48

125

115

106

97

87

78

43

10

0

0

0.51

130

122

113

105

95

86

71

31

10

0

0.55

135

129

121

113

103

95

80

62

44

20

0.60

145

137

130

123

113

105

91

84

77

69

 

Phosphorus

High soil test phosphorus (P) values and application of P fertilizer have not been found necessary for high sunflower yields in U.S. studies. There is no evidence that fallow induces P deficiency in sunflower as it does in corn, despite the high reliance of sunflower on mycorrhiza.

Forty site-years of N and P rate experiments were conducted in western Nebraska during 1993 and 1994. Researchers found no effect of P rate on sunflower yield at any location. Most of the Nebraska sites had medium to high soil P levels, but some sites were classified in the low soil P range and yet did not respond to P (Geleta et al., 1997).

Of the 48 P rate experiments in North Dakota and South Dakota, only three had statistically greater yield, with P rates from 60 to 90 pounds of P2O5 per acre, compared with the check. At only one site was the yield increase economically beneficial when the cost of the P fertilizer was considered.

The recommendation for P fertilizer for sunflower in this region therefore is zero. Although the application of P fertilizer can be made and does not decrease yield, neither does it economically increase yield. Soil test P was not related to P response. Sunflower P removal in grain is very low, with only about 10 pounds of P2O5 per acre removed with a 2,000-pound-per-acre seed yield.

Potassium

Potassium (K) has been studied little in the region for sunflower. Around the world, K rate studies indicate that about 150 parts per million (ppm) from the standard K test in the region is sufficient for maximum sunflower yield.

South Dakota data from corn K rate studies indicate that if soil K levels are below 150 ppm, about 100 pounds per acre of 0-0-60 is necessary to maximize yields in any year. Therefore, if the soil test is below 150 ppm, the K fertilizer rate is a flat 100 pounds per acre rate of 0-0-60, or 60 pounds per acre of K2O.

Sulfur

Sulfur (S) has become a common nutrient that is deficient for many crops in North Dakota. Although sunflower is deeply rooted, and in many soils, the groundwater is high in sulfates, sunflower may be susceptible to early season deficiency. The S soil test is not diagnostic.

A better prediction for possible S deficiency would be noting fall rainfall, winter snowfall, spring snowmelt and rainfall before planting. If any high precipitation is experienced, the possibility of S deficiency is greater.

Loam and coarser-textured soils are most susceptible to S deficiency. If S is anticipated to be deficient, an application of 10 pounds of S as a sulfate or thiosulfate source is recommended as preplant or postemergence before the reproductive stage (R1) of growth.

Elemental S application is not recommended. Do not apply any thiosulfate fertilizer with the seed. Also, S is a spring fertilizer, so fall application is not recommended due to the likelihood of leaching in the spring before planting.

Other Nutrients

Of all the micronutrients, sunflower is most susceptible to boron (B) deficiency from reports around the world. However, in North Dakota, B rate experiments with soil B levels as low as 0.2 ppm showed no sunflower yield response with B application. Thus, no micronutrient application, including B application, is needed in North Dakota.

Organic Sunflower Nutrient Management

With the current market for organic foods of all kinds, sunflower lends itself well to certified organic production. For the requirements in North Dakota, contact the North Dakota Organic Advisory Board (www.ndorganics.nd.gov/) for a list of U.S. Department of Agriculture-vetted certifiers.

Organic systems usually are depleted of N, but soil sampling can be helpful in determining the need for supplemental N amendments. One strategy organic growers use is to grow an early maturing crop, such as barley or winter wheat, the year before sunflowers and grow a cover crop of a fast-growing annual legume directly after grain harvest.

Compost also can be used to great advantage. The compost should come from a reliable source, where the manure was brought to temperatures that kill weed seed. Well-made composts can be sampled and analyzed for N content so that a better estimate can be made of N release during the sunflower growing year. A guide to producing and managing compost is available at www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/composting-animal-manures-guide-process-and-management-animal-manure-compost.

Compost also will contain substantial potassium, which might be limiting on very sandy soils, as well as sulfur. Sulfur fertilizers that also can be used include gypsum from natural sources and potassium sulfate (check with the North Dakota Organic Advisory Board for details).

Sunflower is susceptible to lodging and greater susceptibility to disease when too much N is applied, so rates of estimated available N should be conservative and should not exceed 150 pounds of N per acre. No micronutrient considerations are necessary for organic sunflower production in North Dakota.

References

Blackman, B.B., M. Scascitelli, N.C. Kane, H.H. Luton, D.A. Rasmussen, R.A. Bye, D.L. Lentz and L.H. Rieseberg. 2011. Sunflower domestication alleles support single domestication center in eastern North America. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 108:14360–14365.

Darby, H., E. Cummings, R. Madden and S. Monahan. 2013. 2012 Sunflower population and nitrogen rate trial. Univ. of Vermont Ext. Publ. Burlington, Vt.

Scheiner, J.D., F.H. Gutierrez-Boem and R.S. Lavado. 2002. Sunflower nitrogen requirement and 15N fertilizer recovery in Western Pampas, Argentina. Eur. J. Agron. 17:73–79.

The original publication was authored by W.C. Dahnke, C. Fanning and A. Cattanach, former NDSU researchers and Extension specialists, 1992.

The National Sunflower Association provided funding for the research that led to this revised publication.

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