The present review article is intended to provide comprehensive insights into the techniques of sunflower cultivation, methods of processing, and opportunities for value addition through a variety of applications. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an economically valuable crop, admired for its vibrant yellow flowers and seeds rich in high-quality oil. The oil derived from sunflower seeds is nutritionally valued for its high content of unsaturated fatty acids, such as linolenic and linoleic acids, which help to reduce cholesterol levels and prevent arterial fat clots. Moreover, it contains essential vitamins A, D, E, and K. Sunflower cultivation primarily occurs in warm regions, aligning with the plant’s climatic preferences. As a short-lived plant, sunflowers demonstrate drought resilience due to their deep root system. In recent years, the use of sunflowers has significantly expanded, driving economic growth. The demand for products derived from sunflowers, including sprouts, roasted seeds, seed oil, and even sunflower-based agricultural tourism, has increased exponentially. Notably, sunflower seeds and their oil hold particular importance as they form the basis for integrated production systems, contributing to the creation of various food and non-food products. By presenting this information, we aim to provide a comprehensive guide for those interested in enhancing the utilization of sunflowers across various sectors.

Wolffia globosa (W. globosa), an edible aquatic plant of the Lemnaceae family, has gained increasing attention as a potential alternative protein and functional food ingredient due to its rapid biomass production, favorable amino acid profile, and micronutrient content. This review critically evaluates the current evidence on the nutritional composition, protein quality, reported bioactive properties, safety considerations, and regulatory status of W. globosa, focusing on its suitability for food applications. Literature data indicate that W. globosa biomass can contain substantial protein levels on a dry-weight basis, with reported protein quality metrics approaching those of some conventional plant proteins under specific processing conditions. In addition, studies have explored the high antioxidant, antihypertensive, and metabolism-related bioactivities of W. globosa, primarily based on in vitro and animal studies. However, human clinical evidence remains limited, and reported functional effects should be interpreted with caution. Regulatory assessments, including novel food authorization in certain jurisdictions, support its use as a food ingredient under defined conditions but do not substantiate health claims. Overall, W. globosa represents a promising plant-based food resource; nevertheless, further standardized compositional analyses, bioavailability studies, and well-designed human trials are required to substantiate its functional and nutritional properties.

Mid-season drought is increasingly recognized as a major constraint on tuber production in Jerusalem artichoke. The ability of different genotypes to maintain high yields under such conditions is a critical component of drought tolerance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of mid-season drought on tuber yield, biomass, harvest index, tuber water-use efficiency (WUEt), and biomass water-use efficiency (WUEb) across various Jerusalem artichoke genotypes with differing levels of drought tolerance. The experiment was conducted in pots using a 2 × 5 factorial combination in a randomized complete block design with four replications over two years. Factor A consisted of two water regimes: field capacity (FC) and mid-season drought. Factor B included five genotypes: JA 3, JA 125, JA 15, JA 89, and CN 52867. Mid-season drought significantly reduced tuber dry weight, biomass, WUEt, and WUEb, while increasing the harvest index. Significant differences were observed among genotypes for tuber dry weight, biomass, harvest index, WUEt, and WUEb under both water regimes. CN 52867 and JA 89 were characterized as drought-tolerant genotypes with high water-use efficiency and high yield potential. JA 3 was also noted for its lower yield reduction under stress. These three genotypes serve as valuable genetic resources for breeding programs aimed at developing progeny populations with enhanced yield potential and drought tolerance, particularly for mid-season drought-prone environments.