Abstract
The effect of sunflower head rot on impurities in the harvested product (HP), oil content (OC) and oil acidity (OA) was studied. Levels of 0,10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 80 and 100% of disease incidence (Dl) were analyzed. The HP was either weighed and left untouched or it was divided into three fractions: seeds, sclerotia and other impurities. For OC and OA measurement, we analyzed samples from each Dl level composed of seeds (S), seeds and scleratia (S+Sci), seeds and other impurities (S+Ol), and untouched original samples (S+Sct+Ol). Disease incidence significantly affected the composition of the harvested product. At greater Dl levels, seed percentage went down and impurities rose. Sclerotia were the most abundant impurities. With 100% Dl, seed represented 65% and sclerotia 25% of the HP. At greater Dl ievels, OC went down and OA rose. Content of seeds in the HP defined OC. Sclerotia content was the main reason for the increase in OA. At 100% Dl, S+Scl samples yielded 31% Jess OC and 53% more OA than the S samples.