Yield performance and economic impact of sulphur and foliar boron application in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
VA Khedkar, AK Ghotmukale, PN Karanjikar, AP Sabale and Payal P Sabale
An agronomic investigation entitled "Effect of levels of sulphur and foliar application of boron on growth and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) in kharif season” was demonstrated during kharif 2023 at Experimental Farm of Agronomy Section, Oilseeds Research Station, Latur. The soil was black and had a clayey texture, with a slightly alkaline reaction indicated by a pH of 7.45. It contained low levels of available nitrogen (232.76 kg ha-1), medium levels of available phosphorus (8.62 kg ha-1) and very high levels of available potassium (470.87 kg ha-1).
The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and eleven treatments. The treatment includes T1 - RDF + 15 kg S/ha, T2 - RDF + 20 kg S/ha, T3 - RDF + 25 kg S/ha, T4 - RDF + 15 kg S/ha + 0.2% Boron spray at flowering, T5 - RDF + 20 kg S/ha + 0.2% Boron spray at flowering, T6- RDF + 25 kg S/ha + 0.2% Boron spray at flowering and T7 - RDF (Control).
The gross and net plot size of each experimental unit was 5.4 m × 4.5 m and 4.2 m × 3.9 m respectively. Sowing was done by dibbling method on 7th August, 2023 at spacing of 60 × 30 cm. the recommended cultural practices and plant protection measures were undertaken. The recommended dose of fertilizer 90:45:45 NPK kg ha-1 and sulphur was applied as per treatments, half dose of nitrogen along with full dose of phosphorus, potassium and sulphur applied as basal dose through urea, single super phosphate, muriate of potash and bensulf. Remaining half dose of nitrogen was applied at 30 days after sowing and spraying of 0.2% boron was done at ray floret stage (55 DAS). The crop was harvested on 3rd November, 2023.
The result showed that application RDF + 25 kg S ha-1 + 0.2% Boron spray at flowering treatment recorded significantly highest seed yield (1993.33 Kg h-1), stalk yield (3974.67 kg ha-1) and biological yield (5968 kg ha-1), gross monetary return (107640 ₹/ha), net monetary return (65773 ₹/ha), Benefit cost ratio (2.57) which was found significantly superior over rest of treatments of the crop under study.
VA Khedkar, AK Ghotmukale, PN Karanjikar, AP Sabale, Payal P Sabale. Yield performance and economic impact of sulphur and foliar boron application in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Int J Res Agron 2024;7(11S):79-82. DOI: 10.33545/2618060X.2024.v7.i11Sb.1931
