Contribution of sunflower production on improving livelihood of smallscale farmers?5 answersSunflower production significantly contributes to improving the livelihoods of small-scale farmers. Studies show that engaging in sunflower cultivation leads to higher levels of livelihood outcomes among smallholder farmers, with significant differences observed in household assets and access to financial services. Front line demonstrations have proven that adopting improved sunflower production technologies results in a substantial increase in yield, benefit-cost ratio, and overall productivity compared to traditional practices. Additionally, reducing transaction costs associated with sunflower seed production through improved rural infrastructure, market information systems, and farmer associations can further enhance sunflower production by small-scale commercial farmers. Implementing optimal irrigation intervals and utilizing poultry manure and NPK fertilizers effectively can significantly boost sunflower growth and seed production, leading to higher yields and improved livelihoods for farmers.
What is the habitat of zebrafish?4 answersZebrafish inhabit a diverse range of habitats including hill streams, floodplains, natural wetlands, and man-made ditches. They can tolerate a wide range of altitudes, temperatures, and water conditions, and live in water bodies with different substrates and levels of vegetation. They are found in fresh water environments in South and Southeast Asia, thriving in a broad range of temperatures, conductivities, and flow rates. Zebrafish have been observed in rivers in West Bengal, India, where they exhibit great variability in their habitats. They prefer specific microhabitat variables such as distance from the stream bank, water column depth, mesohabitat, water velocity, substratum, and subaquatic vegetal cover. Overall, zebrafish have a wide natural distribution and can adapt to various environmental conditions, making them a versatile species in terms of habitat preference.
What are some of the uses for the common sunflower (Helianthus annuus)?4 answersThe common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) has various uses. It is grown for its tasty, fatty seeds, which are used to produce sunflower oil. Sunflower seeds have antimicrobial properties and can be effective in treating water against microbial contaminants. The sunflower plant has been used for ornamental and medicinal purposes, and its cultivation has expanded for food, feed, and biodiesel production. In Russia, sunflower is one of the main food and technical crops, with over 80% of the sown areas of oilseeds dedicated to sunflower cultivation. Sunflower plants contain a wide range of biologically active substances, which have shown various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancerogenic properties. Overall, the common sunflower is a versatile plant with uses ranging from food production to water treatment and medicinal applications.
What is habitat for plant?5 answersA plant habitat refers to the environment in which a plant species naturally grows and resides. It provides the necessary conditions and resources for the plant's survival and growth. The structure and characteristics of a plant habitat can vary depending on the specific plant species and its ecological niche. Different plant habitats can be found in various types of bodies of water, such as ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers, as well as in terrestrial ecosystems. The plant habitat can include both above-ground and below-ground components, with the below-ground habitat being an important part for the plant's root system. The plant habitat can be influenced by factors such as nutrient availability, water availability, temperature, and other environmental conditions.
How effective is the sunflower plant in treating wastewater?4 answersThe use of treated wastewater for irrigation in sunflower cultivation has shown to be effective in improving the agronomic performance of the crop. Studies have found that the combined use of wastewater and well-water can substitute mineral fertilization with minimal damage to the sunflower's productive potential and development. Additionally, the irrigation of sunflower plants with domestic sewage has resulted in greater yield potential of grain and oil, and can replace a certain amount of nitrogen without affecting productivity. Furthermore, the use of domestic sewage effluent for sunflower irrigation has been found to increase sunflower growth compared to the use of water supply. Moreover, the use of treated sewage wastewater has been shown to be significantly better for various growth variables in cut sunflower genotypes, such as plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, and capitulum diameter. Overall, these findings suggest that sunflower plants can effectively treat wastewater and thrive when irrigated with treated wastewater.
What is the history of sunflowers?5 answersSunflowers have a complex history of domestication and breeding. The origin of sunflowers is believed to be in North America, with evidence of domestication in both the Eastern United States and Mexico. Archaeological findings suggest that sunflowers were first cultivated by Native Americans around 4625 B.C.. Genetic analysis of cultivated sunflowers and their wild progenitors confirms a single domestication event in central North America, with rapid postglacial range expansion from southern refugia. Sunflower breeding has undergone three phases, including mass selection, individual selection for variety development, and hybrid development. Recent advances in molecular techniques have furthered our understanding of the genetic and molecular changes that occurred during domestication and breeding, providing valuable insights for future breeding efforts. Overall, sunflowers have a long and diverse history, shaped by both natural and human-driven processes.