Sunflower

Sunflower, along with sugar beet, is one of the most markedly reacting to Albit cultures. Depending on conditions, yield increase of sunflower under Albit influence might vary from 1.1 to 5.5 centners/hectare (3.4 centners/hectare or 27.3 % averagely) over control. Average yield increase in Voronezh oblast and Krasnodar kraj is 4.5 centners/hectare, in Saratov oblast is 2.8 centners/hectare, in Stavropol kraj is 2 centners/hectare.

Sensitivity of Sunflower to Albit has been examined in 14 field trials in 5 oblasts of Russia (Stavropol and Krasnodar krajs, Voronezh, Saratov and Lipetsk oblasts). Experiments was carried out in 1999-2004 on Sunflower varieties Gibrid XF-475, Saratovskij-82, Sanmarin-361, Skorospelyj-87, Stepnoj-81 and Master by All-Russia Institute of Plant Protection (2002); Agricultural Scientific Institute of South-East , Saratov regional plant protection station, ZAO Rus of Stavropol Kraj, Chapaev pedigree cattle farm, Agricultural company Kushchevskoe of Krasnodar kraj and Agricultural company Grachjevskij of Lipetsk oblast. The product is also being widely used in Rostov, Volgograd, Lipetsk and Tambov oblasts.

Besides yield increase, Albit accelerates blossoming and maturation of seeds by 6–7 days and
increases (on average):

• germination by 5-11.2%;
• oil output by 22.5%;
• head diameter by 2.2-4.9 cm;
• weight of 1000 seeds by 3-7.6.

In Russia, Albit officially registered as fungicide against watery soft rot and grey mould rot. Its biological efficiency against dry rot, watery soft rot and grey mould rot is 62–71, 14–100 and 26–100 % respectively (67, 55.8 and 66.3% on average). Fungicidal activity of Albit was detected under disease prevalence of 21-30% and disease development of 2-10%; in this experimental conditions efficiency of Albit was not worst than that of high-efficient chemical fungicides based on a.i. iprodion and benomyl. At low infestation level, BE of Albit against watery soft rot and grey mould rot might reach 100%. According to recently obtained data of All-Russia Institute of Plant Protection (2005), Albit treatment of sunflower seeds (var. Rodnik) in combination with twice repeated Albit foliar spraying demonstrated BE against Phomopsis stem canker of 70.3–74.5 %, that was just 11 % lower than efficiency of specialized system of chemical defense (based on a.i. Fludioxonyl + double spraying with Korbel, KE).

Application recommendations:

Maximal efficiency of Albit application can be reached via combination of presowing seed treatment and twice repeated foliar spraying: at the stages of 4-7 real leaves and beginning of blossoming. Recommended application rates are 200-500 ml/tonne of seeds, 40 ml/hectare. The higher rates should be used at high infestation of seeds and combined using with chemical protectants. Cost of Albit presowing treatment and foliar sprayings is 440-1100 roubles (17.6-44 USD)/tonne (4 roubles/hectare approximately) and 88 roubles (3.5 USD)/hectare respectively. Full complex treatment of 1 hectare of sunflower field (presowing treatment + 2 foliar sprayings) takes averagely 81.1 ml of Albit that costs 179.9 roubles (7.2 USD). 1 litre of Albit can be used for treatment of 12.2 hectares of sunflower.

Presowing treatment has the highest economical significance. It provides powerful stimulation in early stages of development that is prerequisite of accelerated plant growth and high yield. Seed treatment also immunizes against dry rot, watery soft rot, grey mould rot and Phomopsis stem canker. According to reports of farmers of Krasnodar kraj, sunflower seed treatment with Albit is able to reliably protect plants from all possible diseases, but sometimes, in case of high infectious environment, it is recommended to combine Albit with halved doses of chemical seed treatment agent (for example, Vital, and TMTD, based on a.i. Tiram) (Table 13). Comparing to pure chemical protectants, using of mixes is more efficient economically while biological efficiency is the same. Inclusion of Albit in methods of insecticide seed treatment (with Promet, Semafor, Kosmos, etc. based on a.i bifenthrin) against soil pests (for example, wireworms), is also effective. And, finally, it is possible to use complex treatment with Albit + insecticide + fungicide +adjuvant. Such treatment provides both stimulation and defense against insect pests and diseases.

Sunflower seeds can be treated with standard equipment (treatment devices PS-10A, PSS-5, etc.); application rate in this case is 10L of Albit working solution/tonne of seeds; sowing should be performed within 24 hours after treatment. However, maximal effectiveness can be reached with another method: seeds should be distributed over a polyethylene film or on an asphalted ground (previously moistened with water), then carefully moistened with the working solution (with hand-held syringe). In this case, slightly increased amount of working solution (50 L/tonne) should be used. Leave the treated seeds on the ground in a shadow place, in a layer less then 20 cm, and keep 2-3 days before sowing. With this method Albit penetrates shell and acts at its full potential.

To increase Albit growth stimulating effect by 30-40%, it is reasonable to use also Albit foliar sprayings. They accelerate blossoming and seed ripening, help to form more productive head, increase weight of seeds and oil output, defend against head form of Phomopsis stem canker, watery soft rot and grey mould rot. The first foliar spraying with Albit (at the stages of 4-7 real leaves) could be performed together with chemical (herbicidal) weeding. For example, in Voronezh oblast (2004-2005), addition of Albit to herbicide Selekt based on a.i. clethodim) increased yield by 10% due to relieving of herbicidal stress. Foliar sprays with chemical fungicides can be combined with Albit too; dose of fungicide in this case can be decreased.

The second foliar spraying also provides plant resistance to watery soft rot and grey mould rot, stimulates synchronous and productive seed setting in head, increases seed weight and oil content. Second treatment just improves effect of the first treatment and can not be used independently.

According to all data presented before, the maximally efficient Albit treatments for sunflower is seed treatment and foliar sprayings in beginning of development. On the other hand, as was shown in experiments in Rostov oblast, humates have pronounced growth stimulating effect being used in second half of sunflower’s development. Thus, for obtaining of maximal effect one can recommend the following combination of procedures: Albit presowing seed treatment (possibly + foliar spraying at the stages of 4-7 leaves) + treatment with humates in second half of development.

Albit-dependent acceleration of passing through development stages have a great significance, because terms of ripening often are critical for obtaining of good yield. For example, farmers of Tambov oblast (2003) (according to the data of Tambov plant protection station) thanks to Albit managed to harvest sunflower before autumn rains, whereas the neighbor farmers was late. In agricultural company Kushchevskoe of Krasnodar kraj, the physiological ripeness of seeds of Albit-treated fields come 1 week earlier than that in control.

Economical effectiveness:

In case of sunflower (provided that the seed purchasing price is 5500 roubles/tonne), Albit provides on average 1300-3500 roubles (52-140 USD) of net profit from 1 hectare. Averagely, each rouble invested to Albit treatment brings 10 roubles of profit. 1 litre of Albit provides average yield increase of 42 centners.

NOTICE: Recommended retail price of Albit inside Russia is 2200-2500 Russian Rubles per liter (approx. 88-100 US dollars). All calculations concerning cost of application and economic efficacy of Albit on this website are made based on the domestic price of 2200 Rubles/liter, with 1 US Dollar taken for ca. 25 Russian Rubles (exchange rate of mid-2008). Recommended prices of Albit in other countries depend on customs/transportation costs, and range approximately between 100 US Dollars and 100 Euros per liter. Actual prices are set by the local dealers.

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This web-page was last updated on the 18^th of March 2008

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