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MSFH-17 sunflower hybrid
MSFH-17 (Marathwada Sunflower Hybrid 17) is a public single-cross sunflower hybrid developed by Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri and released through AICRP-Sunflower (coordinated by ICAR-IIOR Hyderabad) for cultivation across the south-central Indian sunflower belt.
Key features
- Breeder: MPKV Rahuri (AICRP-Sunflower)
- Type: single-cross hybrid
- Duration: 90-95 days
- Seed yield: 18-22 q/ha under irrigated rabi; 12-15 q/ha rainfed
- Oil content: 38-41%
- Head size: medium-large, well-filled
- Recommended zones: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Madhya Pradesh
Cultivation
MSFH-17 is sown across kharif, rabi and summer in the southern Indian belt. Seed rate is 5-6 kg/ha at 60 x 30 cm spacing; the crop responds strongly to assured irrigation at the star-bud and flowering stages. As with all public hybrids, supplementary pollination through honeybee boxes is strongly recommended at peak flowering to lift seed set; AICRP-Sunflower trials regularly demonstrate yield gains of 15-25% from active bee pollination.
Pest and disease susceptibility
MSFH-17 is moderately susceptible to sunflower necrosis disease (Sunflower Necrosis Disease) and to Alternaria leaf spot (Sunflower Alternaria Leaf Spot) under high foliar wetness. Head borer (Sunflower Head Borer Helicoverpa) feeding on developing seeds requires monitoring through pheromone traps from bud initiation onwards.
Usage and adoption
MSFH-17 has been a widely grown public hybrid in Maharashtra and parts of the Rayalaseema-Telangana rabi sunflower belt. Alongside KBSH-44 (Kbsh 44 Sunflower), it forms the public-sector check entry against which private F1 hybrids are benchmarked in AICRP-Sunflower coordinated trials.
Related pages
See also: Sunflower Crop, Kbsh 44 Sunflower, Sunflower Necrosis Disease.
Sources
- Sunflower cultivars. ICAR-IIOR Hyderabad.
- MPKV Rahuri sunflower research programme. Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth.