Sunflower Helianthus annuus L Growth, Yield and Oil Quality Response to Combined Application of Nitrogen and Boron
Sunflower Helianthus annuus L Growth, Yield and Oil Quality Response to Combined Application of Nitrogen and Boron
Azhar Mehmood1,2,*, Muhammad Farrukh Saleem2, Muhammad Tahir2, Muhammad Aqeel Sarwar3, Tasawer Abbas4, Ali Zohaib2, Hafiz Tassawar Abbas5
ABSTRACT
Imbalance use of nutrients is one of the main reasons of low yield of the sunflower. The use of essential macro and micronutrients in the right proportion and optimum quantity is the key factor to boost and sustain the crop productivity. Among plant nutrient deficiencies, nitrogen and boron limitation is the most prevailing problem in the world, which is involved in the decline of sunflower production. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to examine the combined effect of nitrogen and boron on growth, yield and oil quality of sunflower hybrids during 2009. Two nitrogen levels (0 and 150 kg ha-1) and three boron levels (0, 2 and 3 kg ha-1) were tested against two sunflower hybrids (Hysun-33 and DK-4040). All the growth and yield components like plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, achene and biological yield were significantly affected by varying levels of nitrogen and boron fertilizers. Results revealed that boron/nitrogen synergetic effect additively increased yield and yield components in sunflower plant. The oil and protein contents of sunflower were significantly affected by varying levels of both nitrogen and boron and maximum oil contents were observed when boron was applied @ 2 kg ha-1 with 0 kg ha-1 of nitrogen whereas maximum protein contents were recorded when 2 kg ha-1 boron was applied in combination with 150 kg ha-1 of nitrogen of both hybrids (H1=Hysun-33 and H2=DK-4040). The combined application of nitrogen (N1) (150 kg ha-1) and boron B1 (2 kg ha-1) also resulted in maximum net income (88518 Rs.) and benefit cost ratio (1.25) for Hysun-33.
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