Abstract
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has emerged as an economically important crop in Pakistan due to its significant share in vegetable oil production. The plant metabolic processes require protein to increase the vegetative, reproductive growth and yield of the crop. The protein is wholly dependent upon the amount of nitrogen fertilization available for plant use. A two-year field study was conducted in 2008 and 2009. The objective was to determine the effect of different nitrogen (N) levels (N1 = 0 kg·ha–1, N2 = 60 kg·ha–1, N3 = 120 kg·ha–1, N4 = 180 kg·ha–1 and N5 = 240 kg·ha–1) on three sunflower hybrids (Hysun-33, Hysun-38 and Poineer-64A93) in agro-climatic conditions of Gujranwala, a sub-humid region in the centre of the Punjab province of Pakistan. A randomized complete block design split plot experiment was set-up with cultivars in the main plots and N levels in the subplots. Results showed that Hysun-38 gave maximum TDM (15815 kg·ha–1) and maximum grain yield (3389 kg·ha–1), while minimum TDM (14640 kg·ha–1) and grain yield (3125 kg·ha–1) was observed in Hysun-33. Among different N rates evaluated, N4 gave maximum TDM (17890 kg·ha–1) and grain yield (3809 kg·ha–1) compared to the other N rates. The maximum oil content (46.2%) was observed in Hysun-38 without application of N fertilizer (N1), while the minimum oil content (40.6%) was observed from N5 treatment. In conclusion, the application of 180 kg·ha–1 N to Hysun-38 provided the best combination for good yield in sunflower crop under the prevailing sub-humid conditions of Pakistan.
Highlights
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is one of the most important oilseed that originally belonged to subtropical and temperate zones [1,2] crop and it is widely adaptable and more drought tolerant than most other grain crops [3]
The objective was to determine the effect of different nitrogen (N) levels (N1 = 0 kg·ha–1, N2 = 60 kg·ha–1, N3 = 120 kg·ha–1, N4 = 180 kg·ha–1 and N5 = 240 kg·ha–1) on three sunflower hybrids (Hysun-33, Hysun-38 and Poineer-64A93) in agro-climatic conditions of Gujranwala, a sub-humid region in the centre of the Punjab province of Pakistan
Results showed that Hysun-38 gave maximum total dry matter (TDM) (15815 kg·ha–1) and maximum grain yield (3389 kg·ha–1), while minimum TDM (14640 kg·ha–1) and grain yield (3125 kg·ha–1) was observed in Hysun-33
Summary
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is one of the most important oilseed that originally belonged to subtropical and temperate zones [1,2] crop and it is widely adaptable and more drought tolerant than most other grain crops [3]. Nutrients play an important role in crop growth and development. As the history indicates that there is a severe shortage of edible oilseeds in Pakistan that can hardly accumulate the requirements. Total domestic fling of edible oil stood at about 3.07 million tons, of which 27.20% (0.83 million tons) came from local production (GOP, 2009). The country is constrained to import edible oil in large quantities. The import of edible oil accounts largest drain on national exchequer that is second to only mineral oil. During 2008-2009 (July-March), Pakistan spent Rs. 84000 million for 1290 thousand tons of edible oil and Rs.13756.83 million for 723.96 thousand tons of oilseeds during 2008-2009.
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