Nitrogen dynamics, growth, yield and quality of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under the influence of soybean (Glycine max L.) intercrop

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Nitrogen dynamics, growth, yield and quality of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under the influence of soybean (Glycine max L.) intercrop

Author(s) : Muhammad Ehsan Safdar1* , Hafiz Hassan Farooq1, Amjed Ali1, Muhammad Arshad Javed1, Muhammad Sarwar2, Alamgir Alvi3 and Shahbaz Hussain4

Digital object identifier:
https://doi.org/10.52587/JAF040105
Abstract:
Intercropping of a leguminous crop in non-legume affects its nitrogen dynamics. Field research was conducted at the farm area of College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha. To understand whether soybean intercropping alters the nitrogen use efficiency, yield and quality of sunflower, a field study was conducted at College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan during spring, 2022. Treatments were varying N application rates (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1). A randomized complete block design was used with four replications. Hysun-33 and NARC-21 were the hybrids of sunflower and soybean, respectively. Soybean rows were spaced 30 cm apart whereas sunflower row spacing was 60 cm. In each plot, 4 rows of sunflower were altered by 3 rows of soybean. Results revealed significant improvement in growth and yield of sunflower by increase in N application. The highest N level (160 kg ha-1) resulted in the highest number of days (114.7) the sunflower crop took to reach maturation. The same treatment attained the highest plant height (214.5 cm), leaves per plant (27.5), leaf area index (4.39), head diameter (25 cm) and biological yield (14789 kg ha-1), number of achenes per head (1586), 1000-achene weight (51.25 g), harvest index (16.94%), achene yield (2395 kg ha-1) and oil yield (872.0 kg ha-1). The highest nitrogen use efficiency (7.2 kg kg-1) of sunflower was calculated at 80 kg ha-1 N level. It can be concluded that for getting the highest yield of sunflower crop along with soybean intercrop, farmer should use 160 kg ha-1 nitrogen. However, in soybean intercropping system, the maximum yield benefit of sunflower per unit of nitrogen applied was the highest at 80 kg nitrogen per ha.