Field Crops> Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)> Harvesting and Threshing

The sunflower crop is ready for harvest when moisture in seed is 20 per cent. Phenotypically the heads are ripe when back of the head turns yellowish-brown. All heads may not be ready for harvesting at one time. Harvesting may, therefore, be done in two or three instalments to avoid shattering. The harvested heads should be dried well in sun and then only threshed by beating the centre of the head with a small stick. The commercial crop may be threshed with available threshers by reducing their speed. Further, sun-drying of the seed is desirable before storage or oil extraction. Moisture in seed should not exceed ten per cent.