Confectionery sunflower in Serbia

Abstract

Serbia is one of the leading countries in the Balkans both in production and breeding of high-protein confectionery sunflower, although the area under this crop in Serbia is rather small. The use of NS confectionery sunflower hybrids in production, the processing industry and smaller factories has increased. Large seed fractions are purchased, roasted and packed individually, while smaller seed fractions are used in the production of cold-pressed sunflower seed oil and oil cake. It is expected that NS confectionery hybrids will continue to increase in production and gradually replace other varieties. A confectionery sunflower breeding program has been established at IFVCNS in mid-90s with the aim of developing modern confectionery open-pollinated hybrids. The increased use of plant proteins in the food industry imposed new goals on breeding programs. Hence, the confectionary sunflower breeding program places special emphasis on creating hybrids that fit their intended market segment. This can relate to purpose and intended use – whether food or bird feed – or different production conditions – classical or organic production. The hybrids created in NS breeding programs enable the use of intensive cultivation practices and mechanized harvesting and provide a stable seed and protein yield.