1Nuclear Research Laboratory, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012
2Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012
*The paper was presented at International Congress on oilseeds and oils, February 9–13,1979, New Delhi.
The synthesis of oil and protein at different stages of seed development was studied in a sunflower variety E. C. 68414 during spring-summer of 1978. The oil percentage reached its highest value on 23rd day after the flowering, thereafter the differences were marginal. The physiological maturity for total oil productivity was however, attained at 33 days after the flowering when the leaves and capitulum were yellowish brown, seed dry weight was highest and moisture content was reduced to about 36%. For protein productivity the physiological maturity was observed little earlier viz., 23rd day after pollination. The study should enable the crop to be harvested at the proper stage so as to escape the diseases and pests attack (which quite often occur due to premonsoon showers) without losing the oil yield.
