Foliage applied zinc improves growth, yield and oil contents of sunflower hybrids (Helianthus annus L.)

Abstract

The research was conducted at Research Area of Department of Agronomy, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, during the spring season, 2016. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of foliage applied zinc on growth, yield and oil contents of hybrid sunflower. Experimental treatments comprise of two sunflower hybrids viz. H₁= Hysun-33 and H₂= S-278 and three zinc levels viz. T₁= Control (no application), T₂=1% ZnSO₄ and T₃ = 2% ZnSO₄. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement and repeated thrice. Data regarding growth, yield and oil contents were collected by using standard procedures. Results revealed that sunflower hybrid Hysun-33 gained maximum plant height (210.67cm), stem diameter (2.427), head diameter (15.533) achene number (852), achene yield (189.19 t ha^-1), leaf area (789.56cm²) and oil contents (40.423%) followed by sunflower hybrid S-278. Zinc application significantly improved the yield and oil contents. In this regard, maximum plant height (194.67 cm), stem diameter (2.718cm), head diameter (14.633 cm), achene number (842.17), achene yield (194.56 t ha^-1), leaf area (782.5cm2) and oil contents (40.12%) from 2% foliar application of zinc followed by 1% foliar application of zinc. Whereas, minimum plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, achene number, achene yield, leaf area and oil contents were recorded from control where no zinc was applied. Interaction of sunflower hybrids with zinc was also significant. In this contest, maximum plant height (231.67cm), stem diameter (2.917cm), head diameter (15.7cm), achene number (925.0), achene yield (205.89 t ha^-1), leaf area (801.33cm²) and oil contents (41.65%) were recorded from sunflower hybrid Hysun-33 with 2% application of zinc followed by sunflower hybrid S-278 with 1% zinc foliar application. In Conclusion, sunflower hybrid along with the 2% foliar application of zinc is the most suitable combination to achieve higher yield and oil contents.