Introduction to Major Field Crops

Nutrient Management

Sunflower is an exhaustive crop and responds well to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.Hence, for obtaining higher yields adequate supply of plant nutrients for sunflower is most essential. Nitrogen is essential for vegetative growth but to improve the seed size, its proper filling and to increase oil content liberal supply of phosphorus is essential. Potash also helps in grain filling and disease resistance.

Application of 10 t/ha of well decomposed farm yard manure or compost is essential for getting good crop. In addition, a dose of 60-80 kg N, 60 kg P2O5 and 40 kg K2O/ha has been found optimum for sunflower. Half quantity of N and whole of P2O5 and K2O should be applied as basal dose at the time of sowing and remaining dose of N should be top dressed at 30 days of sowing. Being an oil seed crop sunflower requires sulphur @ 25-30 kg/ha which can be supplied through ammonium sulphate, super phosphate and gypsum. Among micro nutrients, boron has shown its favourable effect on the seed yield of sunflower.Spraying of 0.2 per cent Borax to capitulum on ray floret stage ordusting of 2-5 kg Borax/ha increases the seed yield.