From Van Gogh paintings to pre-wedding photographs, the sunflower is among the best known and most admired flowers. Grown on about 26 million hectares worldwide, this plant is the fourth most planted oilseed. But its use goes far beyond ornamentation.
According to the National Supply Company (Conab), the Brazilian sunflower crop in the 2019/2020 period was 74,9 thousand tons. But, do you know what this production is used for?
In this article, we will talk about the main uses of sunflower by society. Follow with us!
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There are many ways to use sunflower as part of your daily diet, but the main ones are the use of sunflower seeds and oil.
The seeds of this plant have high nutritional value and several benefits to the body, as they are rich in selenium, vitamin E, zinc, copper, iron, phytochemicals and many other nutrients.
Sunflower seeds are even an essential part of the multimixture, a food supplement from Pastoral da Criança that has helped to combat malnutrition in Brazil.
Who wants to include the seeds in the diet, it is possible to put it in bread doughs or cakes, mixed in salads or juices.
But, did you know that from sunflower seeds it is also possible to produce milk? That’s right. It is not so popular, but it is nutritious and economical. Check out how to produce:
Source: Presumed Vegetarian.
Sunflower oil has also been widely used in cooking, as it has antioxidant properties. However, as it must always be used cold, it cannot be a substitute for soybean oil. It is most commonly used to season salads or in low-temperature cooking.
Although less common, ligules (the name of the petals of the sunflower flower) are also considered edible, making the sunflower an unconventional food plant (PANC). And finally, each hectare of sunflower can generate 20 to 40 kg of honey.
Sunflower in agriculture
Sunflower is also very important in agricultural processes, especially for producers who rotate crops. The taproots of this plant promote the recycling of the soil that remains with a good amount of organic matter in the soil, after being harvested.
In addition, the seeds are used in the production of green manure, due to its allelopathic function against weeds, and in preparing the soil for the next crop.
Another use of sunflower in agriculture is as a windbreak. Its expressive height makes it ideal for mitigating the negative effects of the wind on other types of plantation.
Sunflower has very important agronomic characteristics, due to its rapid growth, great resistance to drought, low temperatures and heat.
In livestock, sunflower seeds are used in the manufacture of poultry feed. In domestic environments it is also used as food for pet birds.
In some regions of the country, the plant is already making up the cattle feed, since the extraction of the oil generates a mass that is extremely rich in protein. Its use is also interesting in the production of silage.
Biodiesel
The use of biofuels, especially biodiesel, has been much discussed in recent decades. This is because it has some advantages over petroleum diesel, such as higher yield and less damage to nature.
In general, biodiesel production is strongly associated with soy production. However, the sunflower has emerged as a very interesting alternative.
The fact that it is a very versatile plant that grows in virtually all climates and continents certainly works in its favor. Planting sunflower is easier than planting soybeans. It is a plant that, in general, offers greater use of all its parts.
In the production of sunflower biodiesel, the plant’s grains are pressed until pure oil is extracted, which then undergoes the transesterification process.
Another factor that makes sunflower oil a more viable alternative than the product extracted from soybeans is the oil content in the plant’s grains.
While soybean seeds have an average content of 20%, in sunflower seeds this percentage of oil rises to 40%, as they are rich in fatty acids. In this way, it is possible to produce more oil with fewer seeds.
Sunflower is also used in Medicine and Aesthetics
Consumption of sunflower oil and seeds already offers several health benefits. It favors weight loss, improves circulation and the functioning of the intestine and stomach. But, its properties make this plant also have a medicinal function.
Tea made from sunflower leaves is very indicated in the treatment of high fevers. It can also be used in a plaster that helps to reduce swelling and pain in areas of inflammation.
The flowers can be used in the treatment of lung diseases and malaria, also in the form of tea. And the seeds are also useful in lung diseases as they are expectorants.
In the field of cosmetics, oil is gaining ground. It can be used to hydrate and nourish the skin, even helping in healing processes.
A Vitamin E present in the oil helps fight acne, promoting skin cleansing. In addition, it is used in the hydration and wetting processes of hair, especially curly hair.
Ornamentation
We come to the last use of the sunflower: ornamentation. As a very vibrant flower with a strong color, the sunflower conveys an idea of sunlight and joy.
In this way, the plant is widely chosen in the ornamentation of weddings, 15th birthday parties and other types of celebration.
The sunflower is also widely used in ornamentation, mainly due to the vibrant color of its flowers.
There are those who prefer the flower in a more domestic environment and use the sunflower as an ornament in the garden or in a vase. In this case, there are many precautions to be taken to avoid stem breakage or malnutrition of the plant, which needs sunlight to survive.
Ornamental sunflower production is usually one of the most profitable on the market. Another source of income for the producer is the use of the space where the sunflowers are planted in photo essays.
As the plant is particularly fashionable at the moment, sunflower fields have been much sought after by photographers in carrying out the most varied types of essays. Thus, renting space can be an extremely profitable idea for the producer.
Now that you know everything that can be made from sunflower, understand why it is a great option for farmers.
If you want to know more about how to plant this crop, visit our article.
