Heavy metal absorption and soil remediation
The ability of sunflower to absorb and accumulate heavy metals has been put to use in soil remediation and in the treatment of aqueous wastes. Sunflower has been used to remove cadmium and lead from soils (Singh et al., 2007). Large scale plantations of sunflower have been established around Chernobyl to absorb radionuclides. Sunflower plants hydroponically grown in contaminated ponds were able to remove cesium, strontium and uranium radionuclides (Singh et al., 2007; Eapen et al., 2007).
Nitrogen depletion
Sunflower cultivation can result in N depletion in the soil. These losses can be counter-balanced by leaving the litter from harvesting sunflower in the field (Fernando et al., 2010).
Biodiversity and landscape
The flowering period may increase bird and insect abundance and diversity. However, annual crops are regarded as a source of biodiversity loss because of short permanence on soil and intensive management (Fernando et al., 2010).