Growing Sunflower in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
16 adapted varieties
In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the local agronomic conditions (Cfb — oceanic temperate climate, 1576 growing degree days, loam soil at pH 6.3, 307 frost-free days) are particularly favorable to sunflower cultivation.
Favorable growing period: April to October.
Recommended varieties: LS Forsy, L 15-13 OS – BLUEBIRD, L 25-02 IOS
Climate
Sufficient growing degree days (1576 GDD) to complete the sunflower cycle.
Balanced summer water budget — no significant water stress.
Long frost-free season (307 days), allowing broad crop cycles.
Sowing calendar
Favorable growing period: April to October.
Soil & recommendations
Neutral pH (6.3), suitable for most crops.
Recommended varieties
LS Forsy
High oleic IMI sunflower hybrid with strong agronomic balance and high production potential.
L 15-13 OS – BLUEBIRD
Striped high oleic hybrid with strong grain yield, excellent seed quality and high oleic acid content.
L 25-02 IOS
Striped high oleic hybrid with excellent yield potential and strong oleic acid content.
LS Luminal
High-yield linoleic sunflower with strong disease resistance and wide adaptability.
LS Pickit
Early striped linoleic sunflower with strong yield potential and high-quality grains.
LS Lollipop
Striped high-oleic sunflower with strong yield, high oil quality and wide market suitability.
LS Colibry
Striped IMI sunflower hybrid with strong grain and oil yield and solid disease tolerance.
L 25-01 IOS
Striped high oleic sunflower hybrid with IMI tolerance, strong yield potential and attractive striped seed.
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 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.
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.
LSL18-02 I
Early IMI linoleic sunflower hybrid with excellent grain yield, strong lodging resistance and good oil content.
| Variety | Seed | Oil profile | Herbicide tolerance | Earliness | Use | Yield potential | Suitability for the region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS Forsy | Black | Oleic | IMI | Semi-early | Oil and biofuel | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| L 15-13 OS – BLUEBIRD | Striped | Oleic | — | Early to very early | Bird food, oil and biofuel | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| L 25-02 IOS | Striped | Oleic | — | Early to very early | Bird food, oil and biofuel | 10/10 | 9/10 |
| LS Luminal | Black | Linoleic | — | Early | Crushing | 10/10 | 9/10 |
| LS Pickit | Striped | Linoleic | — | Early | Bird food, oil | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| LS Lollipop | Striped | Oleic | — | Early to very early | Bird and human food, oil and biofuel | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| LS Colibry | Striped | — | IMI | Semi-early | Bird food, crushing possible | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| L 25-01 IOS | Striped | Oleic | IMI | Early to very early | Bird food, oil and biofuel | 10/10 | 9/10 |
| 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 22-01 S | Striped | Linoleic | — | Very early | Bird food, oil | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| LS GLOBSUN | Black | Linoleic | — | Early | Crushing | 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 | 9/10 |
| LSL18-02 I | Black | Linoleic | IMI | Early | Crushing | 10/10 | 9/10 |
Risks & watchpoints
Key agronomic watchpoints in this zone:
- Phomopsis: pressure 7/10, monitor in hot-humid conditions.
- Rust: pressure 7/10.
- Summer heat stress: 7/10.
- Sclerotinia: pressure 6/10 due to ambient humidity.
Other regions to grow sunflower
Agronomic summary
Nouvelle-Aquitaine (silt-loam boulbenes of Lot-et-Garonne, clay-limestone terreforts of Gers, Landes sandy soils, Charente alluvium) is one of the historical hearts of French sunflower production, especially in the south-west. With 1,576 GDD, 307 frost-free days and a moderate summer water deficit (-87 mm), conditions are excellent. LS Forsy (IMI high-oleic), L 15-13-OS Bluebird and L 25-02-IOS lead the field thanks to their oil potential and disease tolerance suited to hot summers with thunderstorms.
Frequently asked questions
Which sunflower variety is best suited for Nouvelle-Aquitaine?
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 Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
When is the best time to sow sunflower in Nouvelle-Aquitaine?
The favorable sowing window is typically from April 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 Nouvelle-Aquitaine?
Yields depend on variety, agronomic management and the season. Under typical Nouvelle-Aquitaine conditions with good practices, our adapted varieties target stable, competitive commercial yields. Precise ranges are available on request.