Role of silicate fertilizer on growth and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Abstract

A pots study was planned at research area of the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture,
University of Sargodha, Pakistan during fall, 2020 to ascertain the effect of silicate fertilizer on growth and yield of sunflower.
Completely randomized design (CRD) with four replicates and four treatments (control, basal Si application @ 50 mg kg-1
,
basal Si application @ 100 mg kg-1
and Foliar Si application @ 1%) were used during this study. Data Regarding crop growth
traits like plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), grain yield (t ha-1
) and nutrients contents of sunflower plants were recorded
using standard procedures. Results of our study directed that a greater plant height (180.50 cm), stem diameter (12.8 mm),
green fodder yield (1000.2 g pot-1
), grain yield (4.62 g plant-1
), nitrogen contents (3.72 ppm), phosphorus contents (0.59 ppm),
potassium contents (2.04 ppm), calcium contents (0.59 ppm) and magnesium contents (0.51 ppm) of sunflower were recorded
with 100 mg kg-1
application of Si. While, plant height (144.92 cm), stem diameter (8 mm), green fodder yield (800.12 g pot-1
),
achene yield (3.97 g plant-1
), nitrogen contents (3.17 ppm), phosphorus contents (0.50 ppm), potassium contents (1.96 ppm)
calcium contents (0.45 ppm) and magnesium contents (0.38 ppm) of sunflower were observed under control conditions. So,
from results of the present experiment it was apparent that application of Si @ 100 mg kg-1 helped in obtaining maximum
growth and yield of sunflower. However, verification of these results under field conditions is required for making
recommendations. © 2021 Department of Agricultural Sciences, AIOU