Abstract

An attempt was initiated during two consecutive kharifs of 2009 and 2010 at Agronomy Farm of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir to ascertain the impact of nitrogen (N), sulphur (S) and farmyard manure (FYM) which was taken from farm animals (Bovine) on developmental dynamics and yield of sunflower. Application of N at 80 and 120 kg ha^-1 at par, significantly increased periodic growth parameters and yield over 40 kg N ha^-1. S at 60 kg ha^-1 showed yield advantage over 30 kg S ha^-1. Seed yield with 10 and 20 t FYM ha^-1 was significantly higher over the control. Availability of N was highest with treatment combination of 120 kg N + 60 kg S + 20 t FYM ha^-1. Similarity was observed for available S. Therefore, for sustainably higher yield of sunflower, the nutrient management must centre around 120 kg N + 60 kg S ha^-1 with 20 t FYM ha^-1.

Key words: Seed yield, farmyard manure (FYM), nitrogen (N), oil content, sulphur (S), sunflower.