Impact of humic + fulvic acid and chemical fertilizer application on plant growth and yield traits of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under alfisols

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during kharif 2012 to find the effect of humic and fulvic acid on growth as well as yield traits of sunflower (DRSH- 1) at the college farm, college of agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The results indicated that combined application of RDF + humic acid granules @ 12.5 kg ha-1 (basal) significantly influenced stem girth, SPAD chlorophyll meter readings, head diameter and thousand seed. Central unfilled diameter was significantly influenced by different treatments. Application of RDF alone recorded higher central unfilled diameter (2.0 cm). Lowest central unfilled diameter was recorded with RDF + soil application of 12.5 kg ha-1 humic acid granules.