Response of sunflower genotypes (Helianthus annuus) to nutrient management

A field experiment was conducted during spring season of 1995 and 1996 at Hisar on a sandy loam soil to study the effect of various combinations of nutrient management on the productivity of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids. The experiment consisting of combinations of 2 sunflower hybrids, viz 'MSFH 8' and 'Badshah' (dwarf); 5 sources of organic manure in main plots and 4 fertility levels in sub-plots was laid out in a split-plot design with 3 replications. The seed yield was recorded significantly higher in hybrid 'Badshah' over 'MSFH 8' during both the years. Head diameter, number of seeds and yield/plant were also significantly higher in hybrid 'Badshah' than in 'MSFH 8' but 100-seed weight was significantly higher in 'MSFR 8' in both the years. The head diameter was not affected significantly by the organic manures but seeds/head and 100-seed weight improved by the application of any of the organic manures during both the years. The yield/plant and yield/ha improved significantly by the application of any of the organic manures in both the years except with farmyard manure during 1996. Whereas, in pealed analysis vermi-compost 10 tonnes/ha was significantly superior to other organic manures. All the yield attributing characters also recorded significantly higher with the successive increase in fertility levels except head diameter during 1995. Yield attributes and seed yield of sunflower generally increased significantly by increasing levels of fertility up to 120 kg N + 60 kgP/ha without organic manures and up to 80 kg N and 40 kg P/ha with the application of any of the organic manures. For higher seed yield of sunflower, application of either vermi-compost 5 tonnes/ha or farmyard manure 10 tonnes/ha with 80 kg N + 40 kg Pma was the best treatment.