Why Do Sunflowers Have Empty Shells? Causes and Solutions

The sunflower is the flower of the sun, with extremely high ornamental and economic value. The sunflower seeds we eat every day are what it produces, but during cultivation empty shells often appear, affecting its yield and causing relatively large economic losses. So what causes empty shells in sunflowers? Let's take a look at the detailed introduction from Qinnong Web.

Causes of empty shells

1. Lack of water

Experiments have shown that the empty shell rate of sunflowers is related to water. When water is sufficient, the empty shell rate is generally only 3%-4%, while when water is insufficient, the empty shell rate can reach more than 35%, or even all empty shells. Therefore, sufficient water must be provided during sunflower growth, especially during the flower disk stage, when the water requirement reaches about half to 60% of the water requirement of the entire growth stage. Insufficient water leads to poor seed development and causes empty shells.

2. Poor pollination

The sunflower is a cross-pollinated crop, which also means it is often pollinated by bees and insects, but in low temperatures or rainy weather, the activity of bees and insects is reduced, causing the empty shell rate to rise.

Solutions

1. Strengthen fertilizer and water management

The water requirement of sunflowers is relatively large during the bud stage and flowering stage, so we must provide sufficient water at these times, otherwise the plants will lack water and the empty shell rate will increase. In addition to watering, fertility is also essential. According to research, for every 50 kg of sunflower seeds produced by sunflowers, a certain amount of fertilizer is needed, otherwise the sunflower seeds will grow poorly and are prone to shriveling.

2. Artificial pollination

Since the sunflower is a cross-pollinated crop, artificial pollination is necessary, as only in this way can the seed-setting rate be increased and the empty shell rate be reduced. Artificial pollination is generally carried out in the morning, and must never be done at noon when the sunlight is strongest. If rainy weather occurs during pollination, rain protection measures should be taken to prevent rainwater from washing away the pollen and causing pollination failure.

The above are the causes and solutions for empty shells in sunflowers brought to you by Qinnong Web. In addition to the above two causes of empty shells in sunflowers, pests and diseases can also cause empty shells. During cultivation, pest and disease control work should not be neglected either, as this is related to the yield and quality of sunflowers.