INTEGRATED FOLIAR FERTILIZER EFFECTS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SUNFLOWER

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has been found responsive to foliar application of macro and micronutrients. Potential of foliar application of nitrogen (N), zinc (Zn) and boron (B) alone and in combination for improving growth and yield of sunflower (cv. HO-1) was evaluated under field conditions. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design having a net plot size of 4x5 (20 m2). Foliar fertilizer treatments included in the study were: NPK (recommended rates through soil) (T1), Foliar application of N (T2 ), Foliar application of Zn (T3), Foliar application of B (T4), Foliar application of N and Zn (T5), Foliar application of N and B (T6), Foliar application of Zn and B   (T7 ), and Foliar application of N, Zn and B (T8). Nitrogen was applied through Urea (@ 1%); whereas Zn (Chelated 6% Zn) and B (Kera Stop 5% Boron) were applied @ 1.25 L ha-1 and 2.5 L ha-1, respectively. It is evident from the results that integrating N, Zn and B (T8) for foliar application remained most effective treatment for increasing height, number of leaves, stem girth, head diameter, seeds per head, seed weight per head, seed index and seed yield of sunflower.