Abstract
ABSTRACT The cultivation of sunflower allows its use as bio-fuel and alternative forage. It is a viable alternative in the semiarid regions. Current study evaluates the effect of saline water use, sources and doses of nitrogen fertilization on the production of sunflower in the experiment conducted in drainage lysimeters between May and August 2012, under protected conditions, at Pombal - PB Brazil. The experiment consisted of a randomized block design, with a 2 x 3 x 4 factorial arrangement and three replications. The treatments consisted of two levels of electrical conductivity of water - ECw (0.3 and 3.0 dS m-1), three sources of nitrogen (urea, ammonium sulfate and calcium nitrate) and four levels of N (40, 80, 120 and 160% of recommended dose - 100 mg kg-1, for trials in pots). Dry mass of chapter (DMC), mass of achenes (MAc), the number of viable seeds (MVS), total number of seeds (TNS) and internal (DCI) and external (DCE) diameter of chapter. Irrigation with water of ECw=3.0 dS m-1 negatively affected all variable evaluated. Doses of N 104 and 160% of recommended dose for trials in pots, resulted in the highest DMC, TNS, DCE and DCI. N sources and the interaction between factors did not affect significantly any of the variable evaluated.
Highlights
The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an oleaginous plant and one of the most relevant vegetal species with high potential for the production of bio-fuel
The entire agricultural area of Brazil is suitable for the cultivation of the sunflower due to satisfactory climatic conditions and agronomical characteristics of this crop, such as tolerance to water deficit, low pest and disease incidence, and yield not affected by latitudes, altitudes and photoperiod (EMBRAPA, 2013)
There was a significant effect of N dose on Dry mass of chapter (DMC), total number of seeds (TNS), de capítulo externo (DCE) and DCI
Summary
The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an oleaginous plant and one of the most relevant vegetal species with high potential for the production of bio-fuel. It is an important option for farmers in crop rotation systems. Its easy adaptability to different climatic conditions and quantity and quality of oil in seeds have inserted the sunflower within Brazilian production and biodiesel use (Câmara, 2006). The entire agricultural area of Brazil is suitable for the cultivation of the sunflower due to satisfactory climatic conditions and agronomical characteristics of this crop, such as tolerance to water deficit, low pest and disease incidence, and yield not affected by latitudes, altitudes and photoperiod (EMBRAPA, 2013). Several alternatives may attenuate these drawbacks, such as the use of saline water, the control of losses in water supply systems, collection techniques of rainwater and the adoption of procedures to decrease water consumption (Nascimento & Heller, 2005)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
