Study on soil and foliar application of zinc sulphate and boron on growth and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Abstract

A field trial was conducted during pre-rabi season, 2024 at Agriculture Technology School, Latur (Maharashtra), to study the effect of soil and foliar application of micronutrients on growth and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annnus L.). The experimental field was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with eight treatments replicated three times. The treatments were T1- Control, T2- 100% RDF (90:45:45 kg NPK kg/ha), T3- RDF + soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 Kg/ha, T4- RDF + soil application of Borax@ 5 Kg/ha, T5- RDF + foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4 at head formation, T6- RDF + foliar application of 0.2% Borax at head formation, T7- RDF + soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 Kg/ha + Borax@ 5 Kg/ha and T8- RDF + foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.2% Borax at head formation. The results showed that the application of RDF + soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg/ha + Borax@ 5 kg/ha (T7) showed significantly highest growth attributes viz. plant height plant-1, number of functional leaves plant-1, leaf area plant-1, head diameter leaves plant-1, and total dry matter accumulation leaves plant-1 which were followed by application of RDF + foliar application of 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.2% Borax at head formation(T8) and significantly superior over rest of the treatments. While the lowest was observed for treatment control (T1). Highest seed yield was recorded by application of RDF + soil application of ZnSO4 @ 25 kg/ha + Borax@ 5 kg/ha (T7).