Tillage instruments and phosphorus levels enhance grain and oil yield in sunflower

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) if applied in proper quantity in soil with appropriate tillage implement may enhance oil and grain yield of sunflower. In this regard, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of phosphorus (P) levels and tillage instruments on grain and oil yield of sunflower at Agronomy Research Farm of the University of Agriculture Peshawar (Pakistan) during summer 2017. Split plot arrangement of the Randomized Complete Block design was used with four replications. Tillage instruments including mouldboard (MB) plough, cultivator and rotavator were allotted to main plots and P levels (control, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1) to subplots. MB plough applied one time was followed by cultivator; while cultivator and rotavator were applied once in separate experimental units. The results revealed that higher number of achenes (grains) capitulum-1 (974) and thousand achenes weights (51.4 g) were produced with MB plough which were statistically at par with cultivator, while higher achene yield (2080 kg ha-1) and oil yield (873 kg ha-1) were observed under MB plough tilled experimental units which were statistically at par with rotavator. In case of P levels, higher plant height (157.3 cm), higher number of achenes capitulum-1 (1028), thousand achenes weight (53.8 g), higher achene yield (2527 kg ha-1), oil yield (1146 kg ha-1) and maximum oil contents (38.5%) were observed in experimental units supplied with P @ 90 kgha-1. Finally, it was concluded that tillage operation with MB plough followed by cultivator or only rotavator and P @ 90 kg ha-1 were better to maximize grain and oil yields in sunflower.