Management Guidelines

• For best stand establishment, seed is treated with CruiserMaxx® Sunflower, a fungicide and insecticide treatment; always follow label directions for safe handling.
• Stand establishment is important. Maintain planters in optimum condition. Monitor planting depth. It is preferred to plant 1.5 inches deep and into at least 0.5 inch of moisture. Seed may be planted 2.5 inches deep, but expect delayed emergence and reduced stands.
• Plant during an acceptable planting window for your area; be sure the hybrid maturity rating is appropriate for the planting date.
• Under no-till practices, increase plant populations by 5 percent to 10 percent versus conventional till management.
• Growers should monitor fields for insect pests and use appropriate insecticides if needed; the economic threshold is dependent upon infestation, pesticide cost and crop value.
• Sunflowers should be harvested in a timely manner; harvesting below 10 percent moisture reduces marketable yield and increases the chance for combine fires.
• Developed to be used with the CLEARFIELD® Production System — CLEARFIELD hybrids are tolerant to applications of BEYOND® herbicide; follow label directions for growth stages and application rates.
• Oleic levels generally are enhanced by warm temperatures during seed fill; if planting of a high-oleic hybrid is delayed or replanting is necessary, an earlier-maturing, high-oleic sunflower suitable for the shortened growing season is recommended.