Influence of fertility levels and cytokinin on yield attributes and yields of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Campus Farm of M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralakhemundi, Odisha during summer season of 2019. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized complete block design with combination of six fertility levels viz. 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (80:60:40 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha), 100% RDF + Azotobacter @ 5 kg/ha, 100% RDF + Azotobacter @ 5kg/ha + S @ 30 kg/ha, 125% RDF, 125% RDF + Azotobacter @ 5kg/ha, 125% RDF + Azotobacter @ 5kg/ha + S @ 30kg/ha and two cytokinin levels viz. no cytokinin and cytokinin 50 ppm comprising of twelve treatments in three replications. The experimental results revealed that among the nutrient management treatments, the highest capitulum diameter (15.02 cm), number of seeds/capitulam (894.5), head diameter (15.02 cm), test weight (44.33 g), seed yield (2.43 t/ha) and stalk yield (3.58 t/ha) were obtained when the crop was fertilized with 125% RDF + Azotobacter @ 5kg/ha + S @ 30kg/ha. The foliar spray of 50 ppm cytokinin resulted in increase in head diameter (14.44 cm), number of seeds/capitulam (890.0), test weight (43.06 g), seed yield (2.36 t/ha) and stalk yield (3.353 t/ha) and harvest index (41.25%) over no application of cytokinin. It is concluded that interaction effect of 125% RDF + Azotobacter @ 5kg/ha + S @ 30 kg/ha along with 50 ppm cytokinin positively increased the seed yield (2.77 t/ha). It is recommended as suitable production technology for sunflower cultivation under South Odisha condition.