Used as food, medicine, and first aid treatment, the common sunflower (genus Helianthus) was domesticated by Native American tribes in what is now northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Spanish conquistadors brought the seeds back to Europe around 1500, where sunflowers were cultivated solely for ornamental purposes in gardens.1
Sunflowers as animal fat alternative
By the 19th century Russian scientists had started developing sunflower plants specifically for oil production. Today, vegetable oils—including sunflower oil—are used in food products, biodiesel fuel, and cosmetics.2 By 2026, global consumption of sunflower oil is projected to reach 12 million metric tons. And, the supply of sunflower oil has grown by about 4.3% annually since 1966.3
Where are sunflowers grown?
More than 80 countries grow sunflowers as a crop, but most of the growing acreage is concentrated in Russia, Ukraine, and Argentina.4 While Russia and Ukraine have had a robust sunflower industry for more than 200 years, Argentina only started cultivating sunflowers in the last century, and at first it was mainly for chicken feed. The flowers seemed to grow well in the Pampa region, though they were usually relegated to low fertility land as the last crop in the rotation cycle before return to pasture.
No one the region considered them decorative or ornamental. The flower heads drooped sadly, the leaves had interveinal crinkling, and the petals were brownish rather than a bright, sunny gold. Nevertheless, the seeds yielded good oil and fodder. Production grew rapidly, and after the first wave of development, more than 1 million hectares were being devoted to the crop.
Developing a better sunflower
In line with modern agricultural practice after World War II, sunflower farmers began using insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
The development of disease-resistant and pest-resistant hybrids led to a second wave of expansion in sunflower growing after 1975. The 80 commercial hybrids now available provide better yields and oil content as well as better resistance to natural hazards than previous cultivars.
This century has seen a continued increase in mineral fertilization use in sunflower crops—doubling in countries such as Ukraine.5 Yet, standard NPK treatments may not be enough in some regions.
Sunflowers in boron deficient soil
Some sunflower growing areas, including Argentina, lack suitable levels of boron. When, U.S. Borax experts spoke with Argentinian growers about borate fertilizer for their crops, we were not specifically discussing sunflowers. But our presentation did include pictures from Europe which compared boron-deficient sunflowers with the bright sunny specimens familiar in France and Spain. Farmers in the audience were astonished.
"I always assumed that interveinal crinkling was genetic in sunflowers," declared one farmer. Others agreed; all had thought it was normal for the flowers to have a brown hue and droop. We conducted a series of field studies and laboratory experiments that showed a lack of boron nutrition was indeed a serious limiting factor for sunflower production in the Pampa region of Argentina. Foliar fertilization with boron produced an average yield increase of 20%, with variations between an extra 200 and 600kg per hectare (441-1323lb). Sunflowers are, in fact, one of the most “boron hungry” of all major crops.
Improved sunflower yields—and profits
In the field, many Argentinian producers apply a first foliar application of Solubor® borate fertilizer when young plants have six to eight leaves—usually combined with a grass inhibitor—using field crop sprayers. A second application is carried out from the air, starting at the first sign of flowering, in combination with insecticides if necessary.
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Interested in learning more about how U.S. Borax products can increase your sunflower crop yield? Contact our regional experts with your questions.
References
1Martin S. 2021. Helianthus – Sunflowers: More than a Big Smiley Face. The Garden Shed. 7(9). piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/helianthus-sunflowers-more-than-a-big-smiley-face
2Shahbandeh M. 2024. Vegetable oils: global consumption 2013/14 to 2023/24, by oil type. www.statista.com/statistics/263937/vegetable-oils-global-consumption
3Sunflower Oil Market Outlook 2022 - 2026. www.reportlinker.com/clp/global/2373
4Shahbandeh M. 2024. Production volume of sunflower seed in major producer countries in 2023/2024. www.statista.com/statistics/263928/production-of-sunflower-seed-since-2000-by-major-countries
5International Potash Institute. Sunflower Cultivation in Ukraine: Role of Fertilizers in Sunflower Seed Production. Research Findings. 36. www.ipipotash.org/publications/eifc-310
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