Nutri-Seed Priming and Planting Geometry Effects on Growth and Oil Production of Sunflower Varieties under the Ecological Conditions of Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan
Nutri-Seed Priming and Planting Geometry Effects on Growth and Oil Production of Sunflower Varieties under the Ecological Conditions of Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan
Zulfiqar Ali Abbasi1*, Muhammad Nawaz Kandhro1, Aijaz Ahmed Soomro1, Naimatullah Leghari2, Muhammad Ibrahim Keerio3, Ahmed Naqi Shah1 and Musrat Begum Abro1
ABSTRACT
Seed priming improves germination, crop stand and finally the yield. Two years field study was undertaken to assess the effect of primed seeds with different solutions and planting geometries on growth and yield of sunflower in agro-ecological conditions of Tandojam, Pakistan. The experiments were a randomized complete block design in factorial combination, replicated three times. An experimental unit was accommodated with three factors i.e. seed priming sources (No seed priming, seeds priming with canal water, seed primed with 1.0% Urea, and seed primed with 0.2% ZnSO4), planting geometries (i.e. 55 x 35 cm, 65 x 30 cm, 75 x 25 cm, and 85 x 20 cm), and sunflower varieties (HO-1 and Hysun-33). Analysis of data revealed a significant effect of seed priming, geometry, varieties, and their interactions on sunflower growth and yield components. The highest seed yield (kg ha-1) and oil content (%) were reported for seed primed with 0.2% ZnSO4, followed by seeds primed with 1.0% Urea. In case of planting geometry, the maximum seed yield (kg ha-1) and oil content (%) were noticed under planting geometry of 85 x 20 cm, followed by 75 x 25 cm. The variety HO-1 proved better in overall performance. The interaction of seed priming with 0.2% ZnSO4 and planting geometry of 85 x 20 cm produced the highest seed yield (kg ha-1) and oil content (%), followed by seed priming with 0.2% ZnSO4 and 75 x 25 cm planting geometry. It is concluded that sunflower yield could be enhanced substantially with seeds primed with 0.2% ZnSO4 before sowing and arranged with planting geometry of 85 x 20 cm. The variety HO-1 is relatively a better option for sunflower cultivation under agro-climatic conditions of Tandojam, Pakistan.
To share on other social networks, click on any share button. What are these?
