ChileanJAR

The effect of early planting on seed yield, oil percentage and other plant characteristics of sunflower (Helzanthus annuus L.) was evaluated from 1973 to 1975, at La Platina Experimental Station, Santiago, Chile.
Four planting dates and three varieties were used each year. Planting dates were: the third week of August (very early), the first and the fourth week of September (early and midearly), and October (midseason).
Higher oil yields were produced with early planting, due to higher seed yields and higher oil percentages in the seeds. Other sunflower characteristic greatly affected by planting dates, was the length of the period between planting and the appearance of the first flowers.
Plant height and the interval from flowering to maturity, were not greatly affected by early planting.