The strengths and innovation needs of sunflower cultivation for sustainable agriculture

Global sunflower acreage has increased significantly over the past 20 years. In 2010, they reached 24 million hectares, two-thirds of which are spread across Europe (4 million hectares) and the two leading producers, Russia and Ukraine (11.3 million hectares in total), which still have significant scope for growth. This situation is driving forward research, breeding, seed production and trade… particularly as sunflower prices are on an upward trend and its oil enjoys a generally positive image. In France, sunflowers have further advantages: oil-producing varieties account for over 50 per cent of the area under cultivation, a well-organised sector, the presence of major research centres run by the leading seed companies, the involvement of INRA, and good adaptation to increasing environmental requirements. However, over the past 20 years, average yields have shown little improvement, contributing to a sharp decline in the area under cultivation (which has stabilised at 700,000 hectares for the past three years) and to its concentration in the South-West and West-Atlantic regions. Improving productivity therefore appears essential: this depends above all on the selection of high-performing, disease-tolerant varieties, but also on the development of comprehensive cultivation regimes (variety, sowing date, sowing density, etc.) adapted to a wide variety of conditions. The environmental context calls for research into new weed control systems using post-emergence herbicides, mechanical weed control, the management of wheat-sunflower intercropping, and adaptation to climate change. In terms of processing and market opportunities, several avenues of research appear promising for enhancing the sustainability of this crop.