Productivity Enhancement of Sunflower Through Site-Specific Management

Abstract

Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) is one of the major oilseeds of India and cultivated extensively in both Alfisols and Vertisols of Karnataka. Low productivity of crop in high spread areas of Karnataka is due to various biophysical constraints. In the present study, the performance of sunflower was evaluated under best management practices (BMP) over farmer’s practice in three soil series, viz. Mangalur, Gonal (Vertisols) and Betgera (Alfisols) in northern dry zone of Karnataka. The results revealed that significantly higher total number of seeds per plant, number of filled seeds per head and test weight contributed to higher seed yield in the Mangalur soil series (1151\xa0kg\xa0ha−1) as compared to Gonal and Betgera soil series. BMP recorded significantly higher productivity (1014\xa0kg\xa0ha−1) over farmer’s practice (934\xa0kg\xa0ha−1). However, sunflower response was higher in Gonal series under BMP as compared to other treatments. Maximum productivity enhancement of 43 per cent was observed in Betgera soil series under BMP, whereas it was 42 and 30 per cent in Gonal and Mangalur soil series, respectively. This indicates that Betgera soil series (Alfisols) and Gonal and Mangalur soil series (Vertisols) respond very well to site-specific management and have more productivity potential to maximize the yield of sunflower.