Land degradation unmasked as the key constraint in sunflower (Helianthus annus) production: Role of GIS in revitalizing this vital sector

Figures & data

Table 1. Sunflower seed production in the 15 top-producing countries

No	Country	Production(tons)	Production perperson (kg)	Productionarea (hectare)	Yield(kg ha-1)
1	Russian	15,379,287	104.71	8,414,731	1,827.70
2	Ukraine	15,254,120	360.93	5,958,900	2,559.90
3	Argentina	3,825,750	85.98	1,875,938	2,039.40
4	Romania	3,569,150	182.81	1,282,700	2,782.50
5	China	2,420,000	1.74	850,000	2,847.10
6	Turkey	2,100,000	25.99	751,693	2,793.70
7	Bulgaria	1,937,210	274.78	815,560	2,375.30
8	Hungary	1,706,850	174.69	564,110	3,025.70
9	France	1,298,140	19.29	603,920	2,149.50
10	Tanzania	1,040,000	19.19	1,000,000	1,040
12	Kazakhstan	838,710	45.91	815,288	1,028.70
13	Moldova	811,442	228.52	357,082	2,272.40
14	Spain	782,290	16.77	701,770	1,114.70
15	Serbia	729,079	104.13	219,404	332

Data source: FAOSTAT (2022).

Figure 1. Sunflower seed production, top 10 producers in Africa. Source: FAOSTAT (2022).

Figure 2. Status of sunflower production in Tanzania from 2010 to 2020.

Figure 3. Map showing sunflower growing regions in Tanzania. Source: Majule (2017).

Figure 4. Map indicating the inter-relationship between land degradation and sunflower production in Tanzania. Source: Majule (2017).

Table 2. Soil-based nutrient parameter status in Tanzania

Soil parameter	Concentration	Rating*
TN (g kg^−1)	1.33	Low
Av.P (mg kg^−1)	9	Low
K (cmol kg^−1)	1.19	Low
Ca (cmol kg^−1)	7.13	Medium
Mg (cmol kg^−1)	1.5	Medium

*Marx et al. (1999).

Source: Funakawa et al. (2012).

Table 3. Sunflower nitrogen uptake, yield, and stover yield under intercropping approaches

Treatment	Nitrogen uptake (g/kg)	Yield (t ha^−1)	Stover yield (t ha^−1)
Sunflower without fertilizer	0.8	2.8	17.4
1:1 Sunn hemp+sunflower	1.4	3.4	25.4
2:1 Sunn hemp + Sunflower	1.5	4.1	26.1
Sunflower with fertilizer	1.2	5.0	49.4

Source: Chappa et al. (2023).

Table 4. Sunflower growth and yield parameters from different ISFM approach

Treatment	Plant height (cm)	Leave area (cm^−2)	Head diameter (cm)	No. of seeds plant^−1	Weight of seeds (g plant-^1)	Yield (t ha^−1)
Sole sunflower without fertilizer	124.83	366.89	18.58	1026.75	63.33	2.81
(1:1 Sunn hemp+sunflower) no fertilizer	141.08	402.37	21.17	1252.08	77.54	3.45
(1:1, Sunn hemp + sunflower) with fertilizers	167.25	617.25	25.50	1879.25	116.33	5.17
(2:1 Sunn hemp + Sunflower) no fertilizer	132.42	427.52	20.50	1479.33	91.17	4.05
(2:1 Sunn hemp + sunflower) with fertilizer	150.67	450.30	23.25	1726.92	106.33	4.73
Sunflower with fertilizer	168.58	606.59	26.33	1827.17	113.42	5.04

Source: Chappa et al. (2023).

FAOSTAT-Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2022). Statistics database. Retrieved September 10, 2022, from http://faostat3.fao.org

 Google Scholar

Majule, A. E. (2017). Land degradation neutrality target setting process (LDN TSP): Report on LDN target setting, submitted to UNCCD National focal point, Vice President’s office. Vice President’s Office.

 Google Scholar

Marx, E., Hart, J., & Stevens, R. (1999). Soil test interpretation guide. Oregon State University Extension Service.

 Google Scholar

Funakawa, S., Yoshida, H., Watanabe, T., Sugihara, S., & Kosaki, T. (2012). Soil fertility status and its determining factors in Tanzania. In Soil health and land use management. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/29199.

 Google Scholar

Chappa, L. R., Mugwe, J., Gitari, H. H., & Maitra, S. (2023). Upholding sunflower (Helianthus annuus) yield and profitability while maintaining soil fertility under intercropping with Sunn Hemp and mineral fertilizer application. International Journal of Bioresource Science, 10(1), 31–49. https://doi.org/10.30954/2347-9655.01.2023.4

 Google Scholar