Effect of different levels of nitrogen and sulphur on growth and yield of sunflower (Heliathus annuus L.).

Abstract

The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with factorial concept, replicated thrice, having nine treatment combinations comprising three nitrogen levels (60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1) and three sulphur levels (0, 15 and 30 kg ha-1). A uniform dose of 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 30 kg K2O ha-1 was appliedthrough di-ammonium phosphate and muriate of potash respectively as basal dose to all the plots. Nitrogen was applied through urea as per the treatments in three splits ie half at sowing, one fourth at bud initiation stage and the remaining one fourth at flowering stage. Sulphur through elemental sulphur (Gromor S-90% S) was applied as per treatments 15 days before sowing, in presence of moisture and incorporated into the soil. The crop (DRSH-1 hybrid) was sown on 16th July adopting a spacing of 60 cm x 30 cm. Irrigation was given as and when required considering the rainfall. During the crop period a total of 466.1 mm rainfall was received in 29 rainy days. No specific pest and disease incidence was noticed. Pre-emergence herbicide pendimethalin 30% EC@ 240 ml ha-1 was sprayed one day after sowing in optimum soil moisture followed by two hand weedings at 20 and 40 days after sowing. The crop was harvested on 19th October, threshed, dried and seed yield was recorded.