Influence of biotic and abiotic factors on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crop: a review for the case of México.

Abstract

Cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an annual oleaginous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family and the genus Helianthus. It is currently being exploited for its potential in the manufacture of biofuels, fodder, human food, and for oil production. It is characterized for being one of the agricultural crops that thrives under adverse conditions of temperature, salts, fertilization, moisture deficit, intermittent rainfall, and ultimately uncertain climatic changes. On the other hand, the sunflower crop, like any other crop, is affected by the presence of weeds, which together with the aforementioned factors have negative and positive effects that have repercussions on its production and yield. For this reason, the objective of this work was to carry out, for the first time, a literature review on the effects that biotic and abiotic factors can have on the cultivation of H. annuus. The results of research have shown that sunflower has multiple uses and applications; however, when planted in soils with high levels of salts, low and high temperatures, and when in the presence of weeds, yields and production are affected because the physiological and metabolic activity is altered, causing modifications in the morphological structures of the plant during its life cycle; however, these alterations can be compensated with fertilization according to data from studies that have been conducted on this crop. This indicates that there are means by which sunflower production can be increased and improved by applying alternatives that benefit its good yield.