Relationship between Weather Parameters and Sunflower Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum DC) in Various Sunflower Sowing Dates

Abstract

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is native of southern USA and Mexico. It is an important oilseed crop belonging to Asteraceae family and ranks third next to groundnut and soybean. It is a rich source of edible oil (40-52%) having anticholesterol properties due to the presence of poly unsaturated fatty acids (55-65% linoleic acid and 20-30% oleic acid) which are known to reduce the risk of coronary diseases (Joksimovic et al., 2006).