Sunflower is one of oil seed crops grown
throughout the world for various purposes. Sunflower is a major source of
vegetable oil in most of the countries due to its nutrient values. Sunflower is
originated in North America and later spread to the most of the countries in
the world. Usually, sunflower seeds contain about 46-52% edible oil. The
sunflower oil is considered premium compared to other vegetable oil as it has
high level of linoleic acid. Not only oil extracted from seeds, almost every
part of sunflower plant has commercial value in the market. Apart from
preparing edible oils from sunflower seeds, it is also being used as nutritious
meal for birds, animals (sunflower oil cake is rich in protein and used as
cattle and poultry feed) and preparation of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and some
other industrial products like paints, resins and plastics. These plants can
also be grown for ornamental purposes. Sunflower oil is
very healthy and known for its light and odourless characters. Sunflower oil is
rich in vitamin 'E' and is derived from sunflower seed carrying nearly 45-50%
oil content. Dwarf type of sunflowers can be grown in pots and containers. Some
people grow these in backyards / indoors for ornamental purpose. Read more here.
