Nutritional yield and economic responses of sunflower (Helianthus annuus l.) to integrated levels of nitrogen, sulphur and farmyard manure

The field experiments were conducted at Agronomy Farm of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir during 2009 and 2010, to study the Nutritional yield and economics response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) grown under varying levels of nitrogen, sulphur and farmyard manure. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three nitrogen levels (40, 80 and 120 kg/ha), two sulphur levels (30 and 60 kg/ ha) and three FYM levels (0, 10 and 20 t/ha) having 18 treatment combinations with three replications. The plots were given uniform recommended dose of phosphorus and potassium through diammonium phosphate and muriate of potash at the rate of 60 and 40 kg P 2 O 5 and K 2 O /ha, respectively. The soil of the experimental field was silty clay loam in texture, low in available nitrogen and sulphur, high in organic carbon, medium in available phosphorus and potassium with neutral pH. The plant height, leaf area index and dry matter production recorded significant and consistent increase with increase in nitrogen rates from 40 to 120 kg/ ha. Nitrogen rates of 80 and 120 kg/ha at par with one another, significantly increased the total number of achenes/capitulum, number of filled achenes/capitulum and 1000-seed weight over 40 kg N/ha. The luxurious seed yield (2.5 tonnes/ha) was recorded with 120 kg N/ha which remained at par with 80 kg N/ha (2.4 t/ha) and net returns (Rs. 53793), B:C (2.1) ratio was higher with 120 kg N/ha. Application of 60 kg S/ha recorded maximum seed yield (2.42 tonnes/ ha) and net returns (Rs. 49115). Same dose of treatment also recorded higher oil content and oil yield. Application of FYM @ 10 and 20 t/ha improved seed yield up to the tune of 9 and 15% over no application, respectively. With net returns of Rs. 49093 FYM @ 10 t/ha proved more profitable. Available nitrogen recorded was highest with treatment combination 120 kg N+60 kg S+20 t FYM/ha and lowest with 40 kg N+30 kg S+0 t FYM/ha. Similar trend was observed for available sulphur. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jas.v8i1.5373 The Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2013, vol.8, no 1 p.17-27