RT Journal T1 AGRONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SPRING PLANTED SUNFLOWER HYBRIDS AS INFLUENCED BY POTASSIUM APPLICATION A1 H. S. Zaidi A1 M. Ahmad alias Haji A. Bukhsh A1 E. H. Siddiqi A1 M. Ishaque JF Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JO JAPS SN 1018-7081 VO 22 IS 1 SP 148 OP 153 YR 2012 FD 2012/02/01 DO DOI NA AB

Agronomic traits ultimately contribute to final achene yield and improvement in agronomic traits means increase in achene yield. A field trial was conducted at experimental area of Agronomy Department, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi during 2008 and 2009 to evaluate the performance of two sunflower hybrids i.e S-278 and Hysun-33 under different levels of K application (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 Kg ha-1). The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications in split plot arrangement keeping K levels in main plot and sunflower hybrids in sub plots. It was observed that K application did not significantly improve plant height, head diameter, 1000-achene weight, achene yield, stalk yield and harvest index except number of achene head-1, where application of K showed significant improvement. Among sunflower hybrids, S-278 produced significantly taller plants, heavier 1000-achene weight, higher achene and stalk yield, but lesser harvest index than that of Hysun-33. Both hybrids were, however, similar for head diameter and number of achene head-1. Sunflower hybrid S-278 produced the highest achene yield when crop was fertilized with K @ 150 Kg ha-1 due to heavier 1000-achene weight. Similar trends were observed for stalk yield. Sunflower hybrid Hysun-33 produced the lowest achene yield when crop was grown with K. Hysun-33 produced the highest harvest index when crop was fertilized @ 100 Kg K2O ha-1. Similarly, S-278 produced the lowest harvest index when crop was fertilized @ 100 Kg K2O ha-1. It is therefore suggested that sunflower hybrid S-278 should be cultivated with K application @ 150 Kg ha-1.

K1 Sunflower, hybrids, K levels, agronomic traits. PB Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum LK https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2012-JAPS-101