Sunflower harvesting is an important and responsible event. It is important to be able to determine the maturity of the culture and be prepared for the beginning of the harvest. The main task during this period is the timely implementation of work and the implementation of the proper storage of the crop after harvesting.
How to understand when it is time to harvest sunflower?
The maturity of a culture is determined by a specialist - an agronomist-technologist. But even without special knowledge, this will not be difficult. The maturity of sunflower is determined by external signs:
- the petals dry and fall, and the head leans down;
- the back of the seed basket changes color from yellow to brown;
- the seeds swell and protrude slightly from their "cells";
- kernels in achenes take varietal color and harden.
A mandatory measure for tracking the ripeness of a crop is measuring the moisture content of baskets and seeds. This indicator varies depending on the phase (level) of maturity:
- yellow phase - humidity of the basket from 85 to 88%, seeds - from 30 to 40%;
- brown phase - the moisture level of the basket is within 40-50%, and of seeds - 10-12%;
- full maturation - the moisture content of the head is from 18 to 20%, and of the seeds - 7-10%.
Start harvesting when more than 80% of the sunflowers planted enter the brown phase. At the same time, keep in mind that the optimal moisture content of seeds intended for long-term storage is 9-11%.
If there is drying equipment in the farm and it is impossible to wait with the harvesting due to weather or other conditions, you can start collecting sunflower seeds with a moisture content of not more than 20%.
Sunflower harvest time
Timely harvesting of sunflower seeds minimizes seed loss and prevents spontaneous combustion during storage. To determine the harvest period and the exact timing of its start, consider the moisture content of the crop and the availability of household equipment.
The minimum humidity for harvesting is maintained only in the southern regions; in colder climatic regions, harvesting is started when the moisture content of sunflower is from 12 to 14%.
Weather conditions have a particular influence on the harvest time. It is worth evaluating the risks and costs when moving the harvest date to an earlier or later period. For the early ripening of seeds in a rainy autumn, it is advisable to use special means.
An important condition for pre-harvest work for the economy is the preparation or purchase of special equipment. Household equipment directly affects the duration of sunflower harvesting. There is no need to save on equipment, because the capacity should be enough to complete the harvest within 6 days.
Delaying the harvesting time of sunflower will lead to overripening of the crop and a sharp increase in losses due to dryness and fragility of the stems, natural shedding of seeds, their rotting, as well as due to the activity of pests (birds and rodents).
Desiccant treatment
Desiccants are preparations that provide earlier and more friendly ripening of sunflower, thereby guaranteeing increased yield and quality harvesting. Desiccation technology allows you to bring the harvest closer by 5-7 days, thereby gaining time and getting additional profit.
The introduction of the drug, carried out in the brown phase of development, reduces the incidence of culture. Phomopsis, gray and white rot develop rapidly exactly at the moment of sunflower seeds filling. Desiccation dries the culture and stops the disease.
Processing helps fight weeds - stopping the growth of ragweed, white marie, sow thistle and shiritsa. This is especially true if the weed grass is higher than the main crop.
The effectiveness of desiccation is determined by the correct choice of drug and its concentration, so be sure to read and follow the instructions for use of the product.
Agrarians use three types of desiccants, based on:
- isopropylamine and potassium salts of glyphosate - "Tornado-500", "Tornado-540";
- diquat - "Dry Wind" and "Reglon Super";
- ammonium glufosinate - "Basta".
Sunflower treatment with desiccants cannot be carried out using self-propelled sprayers - too much crop loss. Therefore, provide aircraft processing. Be sure to check the spray setting and water flow. The water consumption rate is at least 80-100 l / ha, and the drug itself is added according to the instructions (usually 2 l / ha).
Plan treatment with drugs in cloudy weather or in the evening, since the active substance is destroyed in the sun. 50-70 minutes after treatment, the composition is completely absorbed by the deciduous plates and begins its beneficial effect.
Harvesting methods
Harvesting of sunflower is carried out using grain harvesters such as "Polesie", "Neva", "Don-1500", equipping them with special reapers. Such nozzles are adapted for cutting crop heads at different heights, including lodged plants.
Headers are agricultural tools that can expand the capabilities of harvesting equipment and make it highly efficient. Their normative indicators:
- residual stubble height - no more than 20 cm;
- in a heap purity bunker - not lower than 95%;
- loss of seeds - up to 2.5%;
- grain crushing - no more than 1%.
When purchasing accessories for sunflower harvesting, know:
- The size of the nozzles is selected according to the dimensions of the sweeper. The minimum header width is 4 meters. The larger the size of the device, and hence its weight, the greater the fuel consumption, but the shorter the cleaning time.
- The header is fixed to the combine body with special flanges. The design may include a hydraulic system, which serves as a vertical adjustment of the header by the combine harvester directly from the cab.
This saves time, saves the physical strength of the employee, but requires additional knowledge. Attachments with a mechanical drive shaft are economical and low maintenance. - Often complete with a reaper comes a pallet to reduce natural crop losses. If the completeness does not provide for it, order a pallet according to individual parameters or purchase it separately.
A modern reaper allows harvesting in all areas of the sowing field, regardless of weather conditions. Thanks to her, the work goes smoothly and quickly, and the losses are insignificant.
It is unacceptable to use grain headers for harvesting sunflower because of their unsuitability for this type of work. Due to an unsuitable reel, high seed loss will occur during harvesting.
The solution in this situation will be the purchase of a special console - elevator. Universal models are suitable for various types of cleaning equipment, easy to use and not demanding to care.
The technology of harvesting sunflower is similar to the harvesting of crops. It provides:
- Mowing the field and breaking it into rows 2-3 days before the entrance of the combines.
- The organization of roads and porches for equipment.
- Sunflower bevel with reapers.
- Burning stubble.
Correct and timely organization of the harvesting campaign will allow you to carry out work efficiently and quickly, so do not neglect the preparation of equipment and other activities.
Proper storage of sunflower
Sunflower is very picky about storage conditions, so if you cannot fulfill them, it is advisable to use the services of special warehouses and elevators.
Optimal conditions for storing seeds indoors:
- constant ventilation;
- humidity - 7%;
- air temperature - 7-10 ° С.
Before sending for storage, the sunflower must be subjected to primary cleaning at the ZAV-20 complex or other similar units; additionally treated with secondary and final cleaning systems SVU-5, SM-4; calibrate on pneumosorting tables PSS-2.5, BPSU-3.
This must be done because:
- Screening seeds removes from the bulk of illiquid empty seeds, debris and weeds. The total clogging should not be more than 2%.
- Calibration sunflower provides for the separation of seeds into planting material and those that go for processing.
- Drying prevents decay and increases the shelf life of sunflower.
When drying seeds, follow fire safety rules. During the procedure, the seeds rub against each other, as a result of which microparticles of the husk enter the air. Their high concentration can lead to fire.
If the preparatory work is not completed and the storage conditions are not followed, the crop will die. All the money and effort spent will be in vain, because:
- The oil in the core of the achene is able to oxidize. Such a crop is not suitable for processing for oil due to the high content of acids, and it is also not suitable for sowing.
- High temperature and high humidity in the room lead to the spread of sunflower diseases. The seeds become unusable at all. In addition, as a result of the multiplication of microorganisms, sunflower not only loses its properties, but can also ignite spontaneously.
Store grain intended for the food industry in fabric bags, stacked on wooden pallets in groups of 6-8 units. There should be no chemicals in seeds for this purpose.
Place the sunflower that will be used for sowing the next season in bulk in a hopper or send it to an elevator. Check its humidity and temperature periodically to prevent problems from occurring in time. Do not forget to disinfect the room before filling the seeds.
The maximum shelf life of sunflower, subject to all conditions, is 6 months.
Begin harvesting, given the maturity and moisture of the seeds. To reduce the time, use desiccants. Harvest using combines with seed heads or elevators. Do not neglect the work on preparing the seeds for storage and observe the necessary conditions in the bins and elevators. And then the crop will bring you profit!