MEETING OF THE COORDINATION AND METHODOLOGICAL COUNCIL ON RESEARCH PROGRAM 16 "SUNFLOWER: BASICS OF PRODUCTION PROCESS MANAGEMENT"

On November 17, 2025, an online meeting of the Coordinating and Methodological Council of Research Program (RP) 16 "Sunflower: Basics of Production Process Management (SUNFLOWER)" of NAAS was held at the Yuriev Plant Production Institute of NAAS. The meeting was attended by the heads and principal investigators of eight scientific institutions within the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) of Ukraine. The session was opened by the RP Head, NAAS Academician Viktor Kyrychenko. Participants heard a scientific report titled "Patterns of Variability in Sunflower Reproductive Processes under the Influence of Growth Regulators and Microfertilizers," presented by Yurii Ohurtsov, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences and Leading Researcher at the Laboratory of Seed Production and Science of the Yuriev Plant Production Institute.

The council reviewed the fulfillment of the program projects in 2021–2025. A total of 12 reports were presented: 3 fundamental projects, 8 applied projects, and 1 short-term applied project. The investigators provided comprehensive information regarding the results obtained. Throughout the reporting period, researchers developed sources and donors of high oleic acid content, early ripeness, high seed oil content, resistance to virulent races of sunflower broomrape (Orobanche cumana Wallr.), and complex resistance to several diseases. Additionally, drought-tolerant lines combining resistance to sulfonylurea herbicides with other valuable economic traits were developed. As a result, 10 novel sunflower hybrids have been included in the State Register of Plant Varieties Suitable for Dissemination in Ukraine.

Extensive data was gathered across two natural zones and five sub-zones regarding agrotechnical management of the sunflower production process. The agrotechnical management included compositions of biological growth stimulants, mineral, organo-mineral, and microbiological fertilizers, as well as bioprotectants and crop residue biodestructors; these approaches ensured a yield increase in sunflower hybrids of up to 60.8%.

The meeting concluded with a discussion of the research program for 2026–2030 and strategies for marketing scientific products. The work of the Coordination and Methodological Council was officially approved.