SunFlower

Listing ID #4197004

Helianthus annuus, the common sunflower, is a large annual forb of the genus Helianthus grown as a crop for its edible oil and edible fruits. This sunflower species is also used as bird food, as livestock forage, and in some industrial applications. The plant was first domesticated in the Americas. Wild Helianthus annuus is a widely branched annual plant with many flower heads. The domestic sunflower, however, often possesses only a single large inflorescence atop an unbranched stem. The name sunflower may derive from the flower's head's shape, which resembles the sun, or from the impression that the blooming plant appears to slowly turn its flower towards the sun as the latter moves across the sky on a daily basis.

Sunflower is one of the important crops in India's oil seed production that has contributed to rapid growth in oilseed production during late eighties and early 1990s. Sunflower is the oil of preference among the consumers' world over due to its health appeal and in India too, sunflower oil is the largest selling oil in the branded oil segment. Sunflower is also a crop of choice for farmers due to its wider adaptability, high yield potential, shorter duration and profitability. The crop, during mid nineties, was cultivated in nearly 2.5 Mn Ha (Million Hectare) contributing to 2 Mn MT of sunflower seed production in the country.

Sunflower oil is healthy and natural edible oil known for its light and odorless characters. Rich in Vitamin E sunflower oil is derived from sunflower seed carrying nearly 45-50% oil content. A native of South Africa and North America sunflower is now grown all over thew world.

•  Reduces Risk for Heart Disease

•  Helps to Prevent Cancer Due to High Antioxidant Content

•  Supports Thyroid Function Through Selenium

•  Helps Combat Osteoporosis, Bone Loss, and Muscle Cramps

•  Balances Blood Sugar Levels and Helps Ward off Diabetes