Response of sunflower [helianthus annuus L.] to phosphorus and nitrogen fertilization under different plant spacing at new valley

ABSTRACT

The investigation was carried out in the New Valley Agricultural Research Station during the summer growing seasons 2007 and 2008 under drip Irrigation system to study the effect of phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizer levels and plant spacing on growth, yield and yield components of sunflower [var. Giza 102]. The spacing of 10, 20 and 30 cm were used for the study, Phosphorus and Nitrogen levels were 15, 22.5 and 30 kg P[2]o[5]fed[-1] and 30, 45 and 60 kg N fed [-1], respectively. The obtained results revealed that increasing phosphorus fertilizer levels from 15 to 30 kg P205 fed [-1] significantly Increased all parameters under study. Plant spacing had significant effects on sunflower growth characteristics. The highest plant height seed and oil yields kg fed [-1] obtained from narrow spacing seed between plants [10 cm]. The highest stem and head diameter, 100seed weight, seed husk, oil% and seed yield per plant recorded at wide spacing [30 cm], Nitrogen application markedly enhanced growth and yield but resulted in decrease in seed oil percentage. Application of 60 kg N fed[-1] produced the highest seed and oil yields fed [-1]. Considering the superiority of 30 kg P[2]o[5] fed [-1], 10 cm plant spacing and 60 kg N fed [-1] for seed and oil yield, it appears that it could be recommended for producing desirable yield under the New Valley soils conditions