Growing Sunflower in Bretagne
16 adapted varieties
In Bretagne, the local agronomic conditions (Cfb — oceanic temperate climate, 1014 growing degree days, silt loam soil at pH 5.5, 305 frost-free days) are particularly favorable to sunflower cultivation.
Favorable growing period: May to October.
Recommended varieties: LSL18-02 I, L 24-01 IS, LS SWIFT
Climate
Sufficient growing degree days (1014 GDD) to complete the sunflower cycle.
Notable summer water deficit (-127 mm). Pick drought-tolerant varieties.
Long frost-free season (305 days), allowing broad crop cycles.
Sowing calendar
Favorable growing period: May to October.
Soil & recommendations
Slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5). Liming can improve performance.
Recommended varieties
LSL18-02 I
Early IMI linoleic sunflower hybrid with excellent grain yield, strong lodging resistance and good oil content.
L 24-01 IS
Striped linoleic sunflower hybrid with high seed quality, strong yield and IMI tolerance.
LS SWIFT
This early to very early hybrid combines stable productivity with good disease tolerance, making it suitable for bird food, oil and biofuel markets alike.
L 25-01 IOS
Striped high oleic sunflower hybrid with IMI tolerance, strong yield potential and attractive striped seed.
L 22-01 S
Very early striped linoleic hybrid with strong yield potential and attractive seed quality.
LS GLOBSUN
High-yielding linoleic sunflower hybrid with strong lodging and mildew tolerance.
L 25-02 IOS
Striped high oleic hybrid with excellent yield potential and strong oleic acid content.
L 15-13 OS – BLUEBIRD
Striped high oleic hybrid with strong grain yield, excellent seed quality and high oleic acid content.
LS Pickit
Early striped linoleic sunflower with strong yield potential and high-quality grains.
LS Luminal
High-yield linoleic sunflower with strong disease resistance and wide adaptability.
LS Lollipop
Striped high-oleic sunflower with strong yield, high oil quality and wide market suitability.
LS SKIPPY
Striped IMI sunflower with safe yield potential, high grain quality and multiple market uses.
LS Starly
High-oleic striped sunflower with IMI tolerance, strong grain quality and multi-market suitability.
LS Glory
Striped IMI sunflower with strong yield, excellent oil potential and solid agronomic behaviour.
LS Colibry
Striped IMI sunflower hybrid with strong grain and oil yield and solid disease tolerance.
LS Forsy
High oleic IMI sunflower hybrid with strong agronomic balance and high production potential.
| Variety | Seed | Oil profile | Herbicide tolerance | Earliness | Use | Yield potential | Suitability for the region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LSL18-02 I | Black | Linoleic | IMI | Early | Crushing | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| L 24-01 IS | Striped | Linoleic | IMI | Early | Bird food, oil | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| LS SWIFT | Striped | Linoleic | — | Early to very early | Bird food, oil and biofuel | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| L 25-01 IOS | Striped | Oleic | IMI | Early to very early | Bird food, oil and biofuel | 10/10 | 9/10 |
| L 22-01 S | Striped | Linoleic | — | Very early | Bird food, oil | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| LS GLOBSUN | Black | Linoleic | — | Early | Crushing | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| L 25-02 IOS | Striped | Oleic | — | Early to very early | Bird food, oil and biofuel | 10/10 | 9/10 |
| L 15-13 OS – BLUEBIRD | Striped | Oleic | — | Early to very early | Bird food, oil and biofuel | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| LS Pickit | Striped | Linoleic | — | Early | Bird food, oil | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| LS Luminal | Black | Linoleic | — | Early | Crushing | 10/10 | 9/10 |
| LS Lollipop | Striped | Oleic | — | Early to very early | Bird and human food, oil and biofuel | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| LS SKIPPY | Striped | — | IMI | Early to very early | Bird food, oil and biofuel | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| LS Starly | Striped | Oleic | IMI | Early | Bird food, Oil and Industry | 10/10 | 9/10 |
| LS Glory | Striped | — | IMI | Semi-early | Bird food, crushing possible | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| LS Colibry | Striped | — | IMI | Semi-early | Bird food, crushing possible | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| LS Forsy | Black | Oleic | IMI | Semi-early | Oil and biofuel | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Risks & watchpoints
Key agronomic watchpoints in this zone:
- Rust: pressure 5/10.
- Summer heat stress: 5/10.
Other adapted crops in this zone
Other regions to grow sunflower
Agronomic summary
Brittany (silt loams over schist/granite, acidic brown soils at pH 5.5) is a land of intensive livestock farming and diversified agriculture, historically not well suited to sunflower. The 1,014 GDD are tight for conventional varieties, but ultra-earlies like lsl18-02-i, l-25-01-ios, l-25-02-ios can find a place on the best plots of southern Morbihan or Côtes-d'Armor. High rainfall and atmospheric humidity demand sharp vigilance against sclerotinia and phomopsis.
Frequently asked questions
Which sunflower variety is best suited for Bretagne?
The varieties recommended above are pre-selected based on local climate, soil and disease pressure. Top picks combine adapted maturity, yield stability and the specific disease tolerances needed in Bretagne.
When is the best time to sow sunflower in Bretagne?
The favorable sowing window is typically from May to October. Exact timing depends on soil temperature (>10°C at 5 cm), weather forecast and your local agronomist's advice.
What yield can I expect from sunflower in Bretagne?
Yields depend on variety, agronomic management and the season. Under typical Bretagne conditions with good practices, our adapted varieties target stable, competitive commercial yields. Precise ranges are available on request.