2024-08-28 21:51:30
“2024 is the second year in a row not very good for sunflowers, given the already two-year drought,” said Assoc. Dr. Galin Georgiev, head of the sunflower selection department at the Dobrudja Agricultural Institute – General Toshevo, at the exhibition “Agriculture and Everything” for him”.
“Until now, there have never been two years in a row with such high temperatures – several months above 35 degrees, such a long time, lack of precipitation,” added Associate Professor Georgiev.
He also said that the sunflower harvest at the institute has not started but some farmers are harvesting between 100-150 kg/ha and in very isolated places up to 200 kg/ha. According to Associate Professor Georgiev, this is at least 50 percent lower than the normal sunflower yield.
“However, compared to maize, the sunflower is much better because its biology is different. Its root reaches up to 3 meters deep and can use the moisture from the lower soil horizons. Maize is a more tender crop, its roots are shallower, it requires more moisture, and therefore many of the tenants want to give up this culture. They prefer to switch to cereals and sunflowers, which is not good for the crop rotation”, explains the scientist. Assoc. Georgiev hopes this trend does not continue in the future, but unfortunately scientists predict that there will be a lack of precipitation and moisture in the coming years.
There are studies that indicate that there will be a permanent reduction in yields by 5 to 20%, especially in southern Europe and the Black Sea basin.
In this regard, the specialist reminded that the institute in Gen. Toshevo works under the so-called “Drought” program. An emphasis in the work of the breeders is precisely the drought resistance of the sunflower, and the hybrids offered by the institute are truly among the most drought-resistant among the current offers on the market, the docent is categorical.
According to him, this is exactly the future – to create hybrids that are resistant to biotic and abiotic factors.
Prof. Georgiev’s appeal to agricultural producers is that when choosing hybrids and varieties of sunflower, wheat and other agricultural crops, they should prefer Bulgarian ones, because they are in no way inferior to imported ones and, moreover, they are cheaper.
The scientist also commented on the trends in science, which, according to him, managed to react and emphasize the creation of drought-resistant hybrids. According to Georgiev, the problem is also the lack of state policy in the management of the sector.
“There are European programs allocating money for irrigated agriculture, but we don’t have water in the dams either. Agricultural institutes alone cannot deal with selection, state policy is needed”, said Associate Professor Georgiev. According to him, its lack is one of the reasons why farmers no longer see a good future for the sector.