NARROW PLANT SPACING AND NITROGEN APPLICATION ENHANCES SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus L.) PRODUCTIVITY

Appropriate nitrogen application and optimum plant population ensure economic crop yield. For assessing the response of sunflower hybridHysun-33 to different plant populations, i.e. 83,333, 66,666 and 55,555 plants ha^-1at different N rates of 90, 120 and 150 kg ha^-1, a field experiment was undertaken using RCBD in split plot arrangement with three replications at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Results demonstrated that each successive N dose increased the crop biomass, yield and its components although sunflower oil contents were negatively affected. Maximum plant growth and achene yield (3115.4 kg ha^-1) were observed at 83, 333 plants ha^-1. Conflictingly days to flowering (64.5), achene formation (73.73), physiological maturity (95.98), head diameter (19.16 cm), thousand achene weight (43.53 g) and number of achenes per head (1138.8) were maximum in 55,555 plants ha^-1. Application of 150 kg N ha^-1 in 83,333 plants ha^-1 plant population was found to be best treatment to attain maximum achene yield.