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Response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) to planting pattern and population density in a desert climate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

H. A. Esechie
Affiliation:
College of Agriculture, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al-Khod 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
S. Elias
Affiliation:
College of Agriculture, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al-Khod 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
V. Rodriguez
Affiliation:
College of Agriculture, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al-Khod 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
H. S. Al-Asmi
Affiliation:
College of Agriculture, Sultan Qaboos University, PO Box 34, Al-Khod 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Summary

The effects of three planting patterns (ridge, furrow and flat) and three population densities (31800, 47600 and 71400 plants/ha) on the growth and yield of three sunflower hybrids, Flamme, Upsolveraflor and Isostar, were investigated at the Sultan Qaboos University Experiment Station, 1990–93. Seed and oil yields were higher in the ridge-planted sunflower than those planted in furrow or flat patterns, the order being ridge > flat > furrow. However, the magnitude of yield differences between ridge-planted and flat-planted sunflower was not sufficiently high to compensate for the additional labour and materials required for making ridges. Based on this, planting in the flat was recommended. Although increased population density resulted in taller plants, lodging was generally low and did not constitute a serious problem. Biomass/plant, head weight, receptacle weight, head diameter, number of seeds/head and 1000-seed weight decreased with increase in plant population density. Flamme had its highest seed and oil yield at 71400 plants/ha, while Isostar attained its highest yield at 47600 plants/ha. Isostar outyielded the other two hybrids and appeared to have a potential for commercial production in a desert climate.

Type
Crops and Soils
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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