Drought is becoming one of the most significant challenges for Ukrainian farmers, and although sunflower is considered a drought-tolerant crop, it still has critical growth stages that are highly sensitive to water shortages. The greatest risk occurs during flowering and head formation, when the crop consumes more than half of its seasonal water requirement. Yield losses during this period can reach up to 50%.
Agronomists emphasize that drought management begins long before planting. One of the main priorities is preserving winter and spring soil moisture. To achieve this, many farmers are moving away from intensive tillage and deep plowing in favor of minimum-tillage and conservation farming practices. Reducing the number of field operations helps retain moisture in the soil profile and minimizes evaporation losses.
Choosing the right hybrid and plant population is equally important. In drought-prone regions, experts recommend drought-tolerant hybrids with strong root systems and avoiding excessive plant density. Under limited moisture conditions, plants compete more intensely for water resources, meaning overly dense stands often reduce rather than increase yields. Sunflower roots can reach depths of 1.5–2 meters, allowing plants to access moisture unavailable to many other crops, but even this advantage cannot fully compensate for severe drought during flowering.
Weed control and balanced nutrition also play a crucial role. Weeds compete directly with sunflower plants for water, making effective weed management an essential moisture-conservation strategy. Under dry conditions, phosphorus nutrition becomes particularly important because it promotes root development and improves drought tolerance. Experts conclude that in an era of climate change, a comprehensive approach—from hybrid selection and planting strategy to soil management and crop nutrition—has become the key to maintaining stable sunflower profitability even in drought years.