Evaluation of Management Approaches Suitable for Improving the Productivity of Helianthus annuus L. in the Salt-Affected Region

In an unfavourable environment, best management practices can greatly reduce the yield gap of many crops; however, the performance of best management practices on sunflower yield and economics in salt-affected low-intensive cropping areas of Bangladesh has yet to be determined. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivation in the coastal areas of Bangladesh faces significant challenges, such as increasing soil salinity in the sowing period, lack of sweet water for irrigation, an insufficient supply of quality seeds of high-yielding varieties, and inadequate farmers' knowledge of best production practices. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate management approaches and varieties to enhance the productivity of sunflowers in salt-affected regions. The study was conducted in two consecutive Rabi seasons (2014-2015 and 2015-2016) in Benarpota, Satkhira, Bangladesh. The trial included two popular sunflower varieties (BARI sunflower 2, and SVS 00901) and three management practices (poor, moderate, and best management). Poor and moderate management practices were identified based on the farmers' survey in this area. The best management practices ware decided based on the BARI recommended practices. In both years, the seed yield of BARI sunflower 2 had 10- 15% higher than the seed yield of the variety SVS 00901. The best management practices had 25-30% and 35-42% higher seed yields of sunflower than the moderate and poor management, respectively. The best management practices had always higher gross returns, and across varieties, it was 25-30% and 35-40% higher than the moderate and poor management practices resulting in 30-32% and 30-36% higher net return, respectively. Best management practices greatly reduced the salinity level of soil during the cropping period, hence, the salinity stress was comparatively lower than the poor and moderate management. Best management practices with quality sunflower varieties can boost the productivity and profitability of sunflower in coastal Bangladesh and can increase households' income by increasing the cropping intensity.