The sowing and yield qualities of certified seeds of sunflower varieties produced in different regions of the Russian Federation

The researches were conducted at the Central experimental base of FGBNU VNIIMK (All Russia Research Institute of Oil Crops by the name of Pustovoit V.S.). The purpose of the researches was to study the quality of certified seeds of sunflower varieties Buzuluk, R-453, SUR, SPK, Lakomka, and Oreshek produced in different regions of the Russian Federation (Krasnodar and Stavropol, Voronezh, Volgograd, Saratov and Penza regions). The seeds characteristics were determined as following: oil content - by GOST R8.620-2006, 1000 seeds weight - by GOST 12042-80, the pathogenic microflora - by Naumova’s method (1970), fatty-acid composition of oil - by method of liquid-gas chromatography on a Chromatek-Kristall 5000. The seeds of confectionary varieties Lakomka, SPK and Oreshek of Krasnodar origin exceeded the seeds from the different regions of Russia on seed size. The oil type varieties Buzuluk, R-453, and SUR did not show the significant differences on this trait. Seeds emergency mostly met the requirements of GOAST R 52325-2006. But the emergency of seed lots of varieties Buzuluk and R-453 produced in Penza region was 61 and 73%, respectively. The increased variability on oil content in seeds was noted for varieties Lakomka (39.9-45.0%), SPK (43.0-48.3%) and Oreshek (43.8-47.8%). In seeds originated in the southern regions of the country the oleic acid content was bigger - from 31.5 to 45.9%, and the linoleic acid content was lower (43.857.5% depending on the variety). In the seeds produced in more northern regions the same characteristics were: contents of oleic acid - 15.7-29.3% and linoleic acid - 59.1-73.2%. The species composition and quantity of pathogens depended more over on the varieties features than on the regions of seeds production. The infectious Phomopsis origin was not observed on seeds. The generations of the certified seeds originated from the different regions did not differ on their yield qualities (yield, oil content, oil yield per hectare). This certifies the priority of genetic features in a formation of yield qualities and possibility to produce the seeds of high quality in the different soil and climate zones of the Russian Federation. An increased variability on duration of a period seedling appearance - flowering and plant height depending on the producing region was determined for generations of large-seed varieties SPK, Lakomka, Oreshek. It indicates the more significant intervarietal heterogeneity of these varieties in comparison with varieties of oil type Buzuluk, R-453, and SuR.