Management of sunflower crop in Moldovan agricultural households

Abstract

In the Republic of Moldova, the oilseed crop sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) occupies consistent cultivation areas (about 25 % of arable land), which is constantly growing. Trends in agricultural systems from recent decades (intensification and specialization of production), associated with intensive use of agrochemicals (pesticides and fertilizers), irrational land use, non-compliance with crop rotations etc. have led to declining soil quality, biodiversity loss, a significant increase in the incidence of diseases and pests and the vulnerability of agricultural ecosystems to climate change. In order to address the principles of sustainable and ecological agriculture, it is interesting to know in depth the current situation of biotechnologies for sunflower cultivation and the incidence and severity of pathogen attack. This paper reflects the results of analyzes conducted based on farmers’ opinion survey, focused mainly on parameters such as areas cultivated with sunflower, types of cultivated hybrids, geographical distribution of sunflower-specific pathogens, applied agricultural practices etc.

Keywords

• sunflower
• survey
• productivity
• rotation
• pathogens.