Effect of calcium and boron on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seed yield in Alfisols

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in red sandy loam (Alfisol)soil, deficient in calcium (Ca) and boron (B) with sunflower hybrid DRSH-1 as test crop to study the influence of Ca and B application on sunflower drymatter yield, seed yield,Ca and Bnutrient uptake and interaction. Sunflower drymatter yield varied from 1742.7 to 2522.9 kg/ha. Higher seed yield (882.5 kg/ha) was recorded in Ca30B3 however, it was at par with Ca30B2 treatment. The Ca x B interaction significantly influenced Ca and B uptake by the sunflower plant. Ca x B interaction effects were also found significant in soil available Ca and B. Application of calcium at 30 kg/ha and boron at 2 kg/ha resulted in high sunflower seed yield in Ca and B deficient red sandy loam soils.