TITLE:
Effect of Nitrogen on Yield and Oil Quality of Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus L.) Hybrids under Sub Humid Conditions of Pakistan
AUTHORS:
Wajid Nasim, Ashfaq Ahmad, Asghari Bano, Rabiu Olatinwo, Muhammad Usman, Tasneem Khaliq, Aftab Wajid, Hafiz Mohkum Hammad, Muhammad Mubeen, Muzzammil Hussain
KEYWORDS:
Helianthus annuus L.; Nitrogen Rates; Yield; Subhumid Conditions; Pakistan
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.3 No.2,
February
28,
2012
ABSTRACT: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has emerged as an economically important crop in Pakistan due to its significant share in vegetable oil production. The plant metabolic processes require protein to increase the vegetative, reproductive growth and yield of the crop. The protein is wholly dependent upon the amount of nitrogen fertilization available for plant use. A two-year field study was conducted in 2008 and 2009. The objective was to determine the effect of different nitrogen (N) levels (N1 = 0 kg·ha–1, N2 = 60 kg·ha–1, N3 = 120 kg·ha–1, N4 = 180 kg·ha–1 and N5 = 240 kg·ha–1) on three sunflower hybrids (Hysun-33, Hysun-38 and Poineer-64A93) in agro-climatic conditions of Gujranwala, a sub-humid region in the centre of the Punjab province of Pakistan. A randomized complete block design split plot experiment was set-up with cultivars in the main plots and N levels in the subplots. Results showed that Hysun-38 gave maximum TDM (15815 kg·ha–1) and maximum grain yield (3389 kg·ha–1), while minimum TDM (14640 kg·ha–1) and grain yield (3125 kg·ha–1) was observed in Hysun-33. Among different N rates evaluated, N4 gave maximum TDM (17890 kg·ha–1) and grain yield (3809 kg·ha–1) compared to the other N rates. The maximum oil content (46.2%) was observed in Hysun-38 without application of N fertilizer (N1), while the minimum oil content (40.6%) was observed from N5 treatment. In conclusion, the application of 180 kg·ha–1 N to Hysun-38 provided the best combination for good yield in sunflower crop under the prevailing sub-humid conditions of Pakistan.