UQ Sunflower Competition attracts budding plant scientists

Two hundred secondary school students from Queensland and Northern New South Wales will compete in The University of Queensland's sunflower competition at the Gatton Campus tomorrow Friday, June 6.

For months, budding plant scientists from more than 30 schools have been watering, pruning and nourishing their sunflowers for judging.

The rules for the UQ School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences' Sunflower Competition are simple – use the Hyoleic 41 Elite seed (provided by Pacific Seeds) to grow the biggest sunflower in a pot or container no larger than 11kg in volume.

“Staff from UQ and the sponsoring organisations which included Pacific Seeds, The Australian Sunflower Association and the Grains Research Association, provided a range of guidelines and agronomy guides to help the students to grow the best possible sunflowers,” competition organiser and lecturer Dr Doug George said.

"The teachers involved in the competition have also been fantastic, helping to turn a simple exercise into an exciting journey into plant science and agriculture through their delivery of the competition in their classrooms.

"The level of interest in the competition is heartening for an industry which is struggling to attract technical, marketing and management staff at the moment.

"It is also a good indication that students are starting to hear the message about the great range of careers in the agricultural industries."

Competition organisers are expecting huge results from this year’s competition with the record for the heaviest sunflower being just over three kilograms.

In addition to the possibility of winning prize money for their schools, students will also be treated to a range of tours, lectures and a scrumptious BBQ lunch on the day.

Sunflowers will be weighed near the Foundation Building at the Gatton Campus from 9.30am tomorrow Friday June 6.

Media: Carissa Dennis, telephone: +61 7 5460 1279
mobile: 0488 780 229