Evaluation of deficit irrigation management, nitrogen levels, and seed priming simultaneously, on some properties of hybrid sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Abstract

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), one of the world’s leading oilseed crops, was investigated for its properties in response to deficit irrigation, nitrogen levels, and seed priming. The end points were: Biological yield, oil yield and water use efficiency (WUE). For this purpose, a randomized block experiment design with split-split plot arrangement with four replicates was established. The overall results obtained in this study indicate that different level of nitrogen, time of irrigation, seed priming and their interaction had significantly affected on biological yield and WUE (p≤0.01). Also, different level of nitrogen and time of irrigation had significantly affected on biological yield (P≤0.05 and p≤0.01), respectively. But, seed priming and their interactions had no significant effect on this trait. Treatment of I4N3Pt3 had the most WUE (3.02 kg/m3 ). Pre-treatment mono ethanol amine had the most effect on biological yield. The using of mono ethanol amine in I4Pt3 could prevent the decrease of biological yield (from 40.21 to 7.43 %) due to drought stress in comparison with I4Pt1. Investigation of project’s results shows that pre-treated sunflower plant by mono ethanol amine decrease the damages but it to be repeated by more researches for better announcement. Keywords: biological yield, Nitrogen, oil yield, Sunflower, Water use efficiency (WUE)