Cultivation of Sunflower, Chili Pepper, and Beans
Cultivation of Sunflower
Origin
The sunflower originates from northern Mexico and the western United States.
Soil
Clayey-sandy soil is ideal. Sunflowers have low tolerance to salinity, but neutral or alkaline soils do not affect production, as nutritional problems are less likely to occur.
Temperature
Optimal temperature ranges from 25-30°C to 13-17°C. The ideal soil temperature for planting is between 8 and 10°C.
Photoperiod and Light
Photoperiod influences leaf appearance, flowering date, and growth phase duration. Longer photoperiods during the reproductive phase impact flower intensity and quality.
Humidity
Water consumption peaks during chapter formation, where sunflowers use nearly half their total water needs.
Planting
Planting depth depends on temperature, humidity, and soil type. In warm springs with heavy, wet soils, plant at 5-6 cm. In dry summers with light, low-humidity soils, plant at 7-9 cm.
Plantation Density
Maintain 80-100 cm between rows, with a population of 45,000-50,000 plants per hectare.
Varieties
- High Stature: 150 days
- Medium Stature: 130 days
- Short Stature: 125-130 days
Irrigation
Sunflowers are efficient water users, especially in dry conditions. Though a rainfed crop, they respond well to irrigation, yielding higher output. They require minimal water until ten days after chapter onset, then apply 50-60 liters per square meter. Needs increase significantly until 25-30 days after flowering, requiring a second irrigation of 60-80 liters per square meter during full bloom.
Feeding
Due to their extensive root system, sunflowers are not demanding in terms of fertilizer. Adjust fertilizer dose based on soil nutrients, rainfall, and irrigation.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen deficiency reduces crop yield, while excess nitrogen decreases seed oil but increases protein content.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus needs are highest during flowering. Its application doesn’t reduce seed oil content. Deficiency affects early crop development and achene formation, causing reduced growth and necrosis in lower leaves. Apply superphosphate fertilizer in autumn (40-80 kg/ha).
Potassium
Sunflowers consume high amounts of potassium (recommended dose: 100 kg/ha of K2O). Potassium regulates nutrient assimilation, transformation, and internal balance, improving drought resilience. Deficiency symptoms include yellowing and necrotic spots on lower leaves.
Weeds
Implement a weed management program using cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods.
Cultural Methods
Crop rotations are effective.
Mechanical Methods
If rainfall and temperature drops occur after sowing, delaying germination and forming a surface crust, till the soil to break the crust and remove emerged weeds.
Pests
- Gray Worms/Wireworms (Agriotes lineatus)
- White Worms
- Sunflower Moth: Destroys the chapter by feeding on pollen, flowers, and seeds. The adult is a yellow-gray butterfly. If its flight coincides with flowering, eggs are laid in the inflorescences. Control: Plant resistant varieties.
Diseases
- Downy Mildew
- Charcoal Rot (Root and Stem)
- Verticillium Wilt
Chili Pepper Farming
Origin
Amazon account (needs clarification).
Varieties
- Deer Horn
- Bull Horn
- Spearhead
- Big Yellow
- Bright Yellow Short
- Chili Cumbaro
- Chili Piquin
- Large Bell Peppers (for green consumption)
- Locotes (various colors and flavors)
Climate and Soil
Ideal temperatures: 16-25°C. Prefers well-drained, sandy clay soil with a pH of 5.5-6.8.
Seedbed
Dimensions: 1m x 50m. Seed quantity for 1 hectare: ~350 grams. Disinfect seeds and seedbeds with 1 liter of formaldehyde diluted in 50 liters of water (5-8 liters/m²).
Transplantation
Space plants 50-70 cm apart. In moist, cool conditions, the survival rate is high even without irrigation. Plant an extra 10% to compensate for failures after 10-15 days.
Cultural Work
One month after transplanting, conduct the first hoeing and apply fertilizer. 30 days later, perform the second hoeing, apply fertilizer, and hill.
Fertilization
Fertile soil with ample organic matter is ideal. Apply 18 tons/ha during soil preparation. Recommended chemical fertilization: 70-50-50 (N-P-K), with some applied initially and the rest during the second hoeing.
Pests and Diseases
- Pepper Blast (caused by Silva pendula fly larvae)
- Rust (Puccinia capsici)
- Pepper Wilt (Phytophthora citroptora)
Harvest
Harvest manually 100-120 days after transplanting, depending on the variety. Collect peppers in bags and dry them in a clean, sunny area. After drying, sort into two categories: first-grade and second-grade (small, deformed, or partially colored pods).
In Chuquisaca, peppers are traditionally packed in quarter-baskets (11.5 kg) using straw and Orochi (Ceiba spp.) bark. Recently, woven plastic bags have become a more convenient and affordable option.
Yield
Average departmental yield: 100 kg/ha. Potential yield under optimal conditions: up to 2 tons/ha.
Bean Crop
Origin and Importance
Native to America.
Climate
Ideal temperatures: 13-35°C. Beans cannot tolerate frost.
Soil
Well-drained, organic-rich soil is preferred. Clay soils are unsuitable. Ideal pH: 5.5-7.5.
Varieties
- Domestic: Bean bean, butter bean, string bean, lima bean
- Foreign: Early Carioca, Aroana, Sel 1, Sel 2, Bat 80
Planting Time
- Spring
- Second planting: November-February (for grain)
- March (for bean seed)
Planting Methods
200,000 plants/ha (12-15 seeds/meter, 40-50 cm row spacing, 3-8 cm depth).
Inoculation
Use Rhizobium inoculant (1 kg per 50 kg of seeds). Mix with a small amount of sugar as an adherent.
Cultivation
Weeding and hilling every month and a half after seeding.
Harvest
Manual harvest. For large crops, collect pods and plants together, then thresh. Store in a cool, dry, and aerated place (8-12% humidity) to prevent fungal attack.
Yield
Varies depending on soil fertility, variety, and Rhizobium presence. Typical yields: 800-2,000 kg/ha, potentially doubling under optimal conditions.
Pest Control
- White Grubs (Phyllophaga sp.): Attack roots in the larval stage. Control: Thorough soil preparation, seed treatment with Imidacloprid, Furathiocarb, Carbosulfan, Acephate, or Endosulfan.
- Wireworms (Melanotus sp.): Feed on seeds and seedling roots. Control: Similar to white grubs.
- Foliage Pests: Slugs (consume leaves). Control: Weed removal, crop residue destruction.
- Tortuguillas (larvae damage roots and seedlings, adults eat foliage and act as virus vectors). Control: Destroy weed hosts of viruses.
- Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci): Transmits bean golden mosaic virus and chlorotic mottle. Control: Not specified.
- Bean Weevil: Attacks stored beans. Control: Early harvest and threshing, store in clean places, mix small quantities with vegetable oil (5 ml/kg), fumigate large volumes with methyl bromide or phosphine.
Disease Control
- Anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum): Control: Use clean seeds, dispose of infested residues, apply Benomyl or Carbendazim.
- Angular Leaf Spot (Phaeoisariopsis griseola): Control: Destroy crop residues, use clean seeds, apply Benomyl or Carbendazim.
Weed Control
Weeds compete for resources, host pests and pathogens, and hinder crop work, reducing yields by up to 90%. Maintain a weed-free field until flowering, either manually or chemically.