An assesment of the performance of sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) as an oil-seed in Ghana

Summary Seven high-oil sunflower eultivars were grown in 1976 and 1977 at selected locations in Ghana, to evaluate the potential of sunflowers as an oil-seed crop for the lowland tropics. All eultivars flowered and matured earlier than observed under temperate conditions. Yields were between 75 and 1600 kg/ha at 9% moisture content. Oil contents ranged from 41 to 47% with a higher proportion of oleic acid (about 54%) than linoleic (about 38%). It is concluded that sunflower production is feasible and could become as important as that of existing annual oil seeds.