Agronomic Performance of Sunflower Hybrids in Brazilian Savannah Region

The establishment of sunflower crop in the Brazilian savannah region depends, among other factors, on the use of cultivars with adaptation to the growing regions and adequate characteristics, such as drought tolerance and resistance to main diseases and early cycle. The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance of sunflower cultivars sown in the second summer crop in Campo Novo do Parecis (Mato Grosso), the main sunflower producing region in the Brazilian savannah, in 2014 and 2015. The experimental design was a randomised complete block with eight treatments (AGUARÁ 04, AGUARÁ 06, CF 101, GNZ NEON, HELIO 251, MG 305, SYN 045 and SYN 3950HO) and four replications. Sowing was carried out on March 7, 2014, and March 3, 2015. Plant height, head diameter, harvest index, 1000-achene mass, achene productivity, oil content and oil yield were assessed. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability (P < .05). The hybrids AGUARÁ 04, SYN 3950HO, SYN 045, CF 101 and MG 305 stand out for grain and oil yields. AGUARÁ 04 and CF 101 presented the lowest plant height and the highest harvest rate. The hybrid SYN 3950HO has associated high grain and oil yields.