health
They are testing the planting of 11 varieties of sunflower in Guárico
In the heart of Guárico state, the Rómulo Gallegos National Experimental University (Unerg) has transformed approximately 300 square meters into a field draped in yellow, watched over by the imposing San Juan hills. This is the first agronomic validation trial (Evac) of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) cultivars, a strategic initiative to determine the adaptation of this crop to the plains region.
TL;DR
- Unerg is testing 11 sunflower varieties in Guárico state to determine their suitability for the region.
- The trial aims to diversify Guárico's agriculture towards oilseed production.
- The project seeks to identify high-yield genetics that can withstand local climate and soil conditions.
- Support is provided by the National Seed Commission (Conasem) and the National Institute of Agricultural Research (Inia).
- Sunflower seeds are a rich source of minerals and versatile for producing edible oils, animal feed, and industrial components.
- The trial involves evaluating factors such as yield, adaptability, soil properties, and pest resistance.
- Other Unerg projects include mung bean validation and livestock production initiatives.