An Overview of Organic Sunflower Production in Romania

Abstract

Helianthus annuus (sunflower) is an oilseed crop with multiple food and industrial uses, such as production of edible oil, the biofuel industry, the manufacture of soap and fodder production. Sunflower is the most important honey plant, considering the large areas cultivated with sunflower and the quality of nectar. Due to its ability to use soil moisture and soil nitrogen reserve better than other species, and to good productivity and the high quality of its by-products, sunflower crop is representing a good option for organic farming systems. This study presents an overview of organic production of sunflower in Romania, starting from a general analysis of the European Union organic production of sunflower and going to an in depth analysis of Romanian cultivation and production, presenting an up-to-date report on the dynamics of the sunflower cultivation, up to county level.