Response of Sunflower Genotypes to Sulphur Nutrition Grown under Veeranam Ayacut Regions

Sunflower is the fourth important oilseed crop in India which can play an important role in reducing the shortage of edible oil in the country and produce high yields of good quality oil for human consumption. The practice of intensive cropping with high-yielding varieties is a great endeavor to boost production and this has caused a marked depletion of inherent nutrient resources in soil. Consequently, along with N, P and K, the deficiency of sulphur is frequently reported in large areas in India. The study aims to evaluate the growth and yield of different sunflower genotypes in response to sulphur fertilization under Veeranam Ayacut Conditions. Field investigations were carried out between December 2009 and June 2010 at Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Tamilnadu to study the response of sunflower genotypes to sulphur nutrition grown under Veeranam Ayacut regions. Sunflower genotypes viz., two varieties (CO4 and DRSF108) and three hybrids (KBSH53, Sunbred and Jaya) were tried along with different sulphur levels (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg S ha-1). The experiment consisted of twenty treatments and was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with two replications. Among the different genotypes, KBSH 53 significantly recorded maximum growth attributes viz., plant height, LAI, DMP and chlorophyll content at all the growth stages, yield attributes viz., head diameter, the total number of seeds head-1, seed filling per cent and seed yield and stalk yield in both the crop seasons. Sulphur levels were found to influence the growth attributes of sunflowers. The lowest values of growth and yield attributes and yield were recorded in the genotype CO4. Among the S levels, the application of 40 kg S ha-1 favourably influenced the growth and yield attributes and yield of sunflowers. The least values for growth and yield attributes and yield, were recorded under 0 kg S ha-1 during both the crops. The interaction effect between genotypes and S levels was significant. Among the treatment combinations, KBSH 53 with 40 kg S ha-1 recorded maximum values for growth and yield attributes, yield, nutrient uptake and quality characters in both crops. The least values was recorded under CO4 with no sulphur-applied plots. The study concluded that sunflower genotypes KBSH 53 grown with 40 kg S ha-1 are found agronomically sound and ecologically feasible technology for enhancing the growth and yield of sunflowers grown in the veeranam ayacut region.