Sunflower has established itself as a strategic crop in the province of San Luis in Argentina. Over the past five growing seasons, the cultivated area has shown consistent expansion, reaching 100,000 hectares in 2023–2024 — an increase of more than 30% compared to the historical average.
Belén Bravo, researcher and member of the Agricultural Production Group of the Agricultural Experimental Station of INTA San Luis, explained that “genetic advances improved behavior against adverse environmental factors, grain quality and oil content, which enhanced this increase in the sown area.”
The trial conducted in Villa Mercedes, San Luis, demonstrated that using hybrids adapted to local conditions can deliver yields 20–30% higher than the region’s historical average of around 2,000 kilograms per hectare. Bravo emphasized the importance of continuing to produce updated and reliable information to support producers in their decision-making, with the goal of strengthening sunflower expansion in San Luis and enhancing its competitiveness within agricultural rotations.
The trial’s results significantly surpassed the provincial average for the season, according to a press release.
“The yield adjusted by oil percentage ranged between 2,119 and 4,927 kilos per hectare, which means a 133% production gap between the lower and higher performance hybrid,” Bravo said. “The Paraiso 1500 CL Plus hybrid, from Nuseed, reached 4,927 kilos per hectare, while the AG Belfis CL P, from Agseed, recorded 2,119 kilos per hectare, which highlights the importance of a correct choice of material.”
In terms of quality, the researcher noted that over 80% of the hybrids achieved oil contents exceeding 50%. The highest value was recorded in the Nidera hybrid NS 1227 CL, with 56.9%, while the lowest was observed in AG Belfis CL P, at 41.7%.
“This implies an increase of 14% between both extremes,” he pondered. “All the materials evaluated reached bonus values above 42%, which reinforces the commercial attractiveness of the crop in the region,” Bravo concluded.
