O. A. Fakir
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh.
S. Akter
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh
M. Hossain
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh
Nitrogen, Sunflower, Saline soil, Salinity, Soil fertility, Soil health, .
Agricultural Research Station (ARS), BARI, Benarpota, Satkhira, Bangladesh
Crop-Soil-Water Management
Soil salinity, Fertilizer, Sunflower
The experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station (ARS), BARI, Benarpota, Satkhira during the rabi (winter) season of 2019-2020 to identify the optimum dose of nitrogen and phytohormone to ameliorate soil salinity for sunflower production in saline areas. The soil belonged to the AEZ -13. The land topography was medium low. Before conducting the experiment, initial composite soil samples at a depth of 0-15 cm from the experimental plots were collected and analyzed following standard methods. The soil of the experimental field is clay loam in texture with pH 6.82. Soil salinity at different dates was recorded at 09:00-10:30 A.M. every 15 days interval, starting from sowing until harvest. The salinity was measured by EC meter (HANNA: HI 9835). Data were taken at the middle of the plot. Collected data were analysed using ANOVA procedure. Once a week, a calibration for the meter was made by comparing with laboratory data and results. The experiment was laid out in two factors RCBD with three replications, where factor A was application of phytohormone (Abscisic Acid) at three rates (P1= 0, P2= 100 and P3= 200 ppm). On the other hand, factor B was six different levels of nitrogen fertilizer [F1 = No Fertilizers, F2 = Recommended dose of all fertilizers (RDF) + N0; F3 = RDF + N 50%; F4 = RDF + N80%; F5 = RDF + N100%; F6 = Farmers' practice] based on FRG, 2018 guide.
Seed sowing & crop management:
Seeds of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cv. BARI Surjumhukhi-2 were obtained from BARI, Gazipur. Seeds were sown on 22 December, 2019 with a row to row distance of 50 cm and plant to plant 25 cm. Unit plot size was 3m X 2m. The crop was harvested on 12 April 2020. Fertilizers as Recommended doses (RDF) were applied following fertilizer recommendation guide 2018 (BARC, 2018). Full amount of triple super phosphate, muriate of potash, gypsum, zinc sulphate and boric acid were broadcasted in the experimental plot as per treatment at the time of seed sowing except F1 and F6 treatment. In case of Farmers' practice, TSP, MoP and Gypsum were applied @130, 80 and 90 kg ha-1, respectively as a basal dose during the final land preparation. Urea was applied in 3 equal splits at 22, 38 and 52 DAS after irrigation. N fertilizer was used in different splits at critical stages of crop. Three times irrigation at 30, 50 & 70 days after sowing were applied during the growing period. Weeding was done at 14 days after sowing followed by thinning. Disease and insect pests were always well controlled using suggested applies (BARI, 2014). The crop was harvested at the time of maturity. The Abscisic acid was used as phytohormone application and its rates were kept in main plots while different N levels were kept in sub plots. Foliar spray of abscisic acid (ABA) at two rates (100 and 200 ppm) was applied twice (30 and 60 days after sowing).
Data Collection:
At harvest time some agronomic traits such as plant height (cm), stem diameter (mm), head diameter (cm), seeds weight head-1 (g), 1000 seeds weight, seeds weight (g), fresh weight of shoots (g) and yield of stover and seed (t ha-1) were measured. The following chemical analyses were determined nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium according to the method described by Cottenie et al. (1982). Collected data were subjected to statistical analysis of variance according to Snedecor and Cochran (1980) and the combined analysis of the two seasons was calculated according to the method of Steel and Torrie (1980). The physical and chemical properties of the soil were determined according to Chapman and Pratt (1961).
Annual Research Report 2019-2020, Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh
Report/Proceedings