Agronomic Performance of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to Different Levels of Nitrogen, Sulphur and Farmyard Manure under Temperate Conditions

Abstract

A field study was conducted to ascertain the impact of nitrogen, sulphur and farmyard manure (FYM) on development dynamics and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Application of 120 kg N ha^-1 significantly increased all the yield components viz., plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production, capitulum diameter, achenes capitulum^-1 and 1000-seed weight during two years of experimentation. Pooled seed yield over two years and for individual year’s also recorded significant increase, however 80 and 120 kg N ha^-1 were statistically similar. The oil content showed consistent decrease with increase in nitrogen levels, whereas oil yield showed significant improvement with increase in nitrogen application up to 120 kg ha^-1 during both years. Sulphur application at 60 kg ha^-1 significantly increased plant height, leaf area index and dry matter production at various crop growth periods except at 25 DAS over 30 kg S ha^-1.All yield contributing characters viz., total achenes capitulum^-1, filled achenes capitulum^-1, head diameter and 1000-seed weight recorded significance with sulphur application at 60 kg ha^-1 over 30 kg S ha^-1 during both years of experimentation. However sterility percentage remained unaffected with different sulphur levels. Seed and stalk yield during 2009 and 2010 and pooled seed yield over two years recorded  with 60 kg S ha^-1 was  significantly higher than 30 kg S ha^-1. Both oil content and oil yield recorded significant improvement with increase in sulphur application from 30 to 60 kg S ha^-1. FYM application at 10 and 20 t ha^-1, at par with one another, recorded significant improvement in the plant height, leaf area index and dry matter production of sunflower at various crop growth periods except at 25 DAS over no FYM application during both years of experimentation. Seed yield over two years recorded with 10 and 20 t FYM ha^-1 was at par but significantly higher than no FYM application. However, the stalk yield showed significant and consistent increase with increase in FYM rate up to 20 t ha^-1. Oil content remained unaffected by different FYM levels during both years of experimentation. However, oil yield increased significantly and consistently with increase in FYM levels up to 20 t ha^-1.

Keywords: FYM,  Sulphur, Sunflower, Nitrogen, Yield.