A field experiment was conducted at the Field Laboratory of Agrotechnology Discipline. Khulna University, Khulna. The materials used and methodologies followed in the investigation are described below. The experimental land was prepared thoroughly by three ploughing with country plough followed by laddering. All weeds, stubbles and crop residues were removed and the field layout was done. All basal doses of fertilizers were incorporated well into the soil and finally the field was made ready for sowing-
Combination of nutrients with two varieties of sunflower formed the treatment variables_ The treatments were:
Factor A. Variety 2
1- Local variety (V g ): This was a local cultivar collected from the farmer of Hogladanga. Batiaghata, Khulna_ Actually this local cultivar is used by the farmer for ornamental purpose.
Kirani (V2): This is a variety developed by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) and was collected from Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) Regional Office, Khulna.
Factor B. Fertilizer treatments: 6
The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Unit plot size was 4 m x 2.5 m. Blocks were separated by a distance of 1 m while the distance between two plots was 0.5 m. Seeds of sunflower were sown at 2-3 cm deep furrows maintaining a spacing of 25 cm from plant to plant and 50 cm from row to row. After placement in the furrow, seeds were covered with soil by a light pressure of hand. The experimental plots were irrigated lightly after seed sowing. Seedling emergence started after 5 days and completed within 8 days of sowing. The vacant hills were filled up by transplanting seedlings at the early stage of crop so as to maintain the desired plant population.
Keeping one healthy seedling hill-1 other seedlings were carefully uprooted by hand pulling after their establishment. Weeding was done twice, once at 30 DAS and the other one at 45 DAS. Half of urea and whole amount of triple superphosphate (TSP), muriate of potash (MoP), gypsum, and zinc sulphate were applied as basal dose at the time of final land preparation. The rest of urea was side dressed in two equal splits at 30 and 45 DAS followed by 2"d and 3rd irrigation. Propping was given with bamboo sticks to five randomly selected plants from each plot on 50 DAS.
When 80% of the plant leaves as well as dorsal side of the disc turned yellowish and central disc florets dried up and shed off on touch of fingers the crop was assessed to attain maturity. The plants from each unit plot was harvested, bundled and tagged separately. The heads were beaten with bamboo sticks to separate the seeds from heads. After separation, the seeds were winnowed to remove trashes and inert materials. Prior to storing, the seeds were sun dried for three days. The seeds were cleaned and stored in gunny bags.
Data Collection Five plants from each plot excluding the border plants were selected randomly. Data were collected from the harvested and tagged plants on the following Parameters:
1. Plant height (cm)
2. Head diameter (cm)
3. Number of filled seeds head-'
4. Number of unfilled seeds head-'
5. Seed yield (t ha-1)
6. Stover yield (t ha-')
7. Weight of 1000-seeds (g)
8. Harvest index (%)
Statistical analysis
All the collected data were analyzed following the ANOVA technique. The means were compared by Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DMRT) (Gomez and Gomez, 1984). Regression analysis was done between yield and yield attributes.