Response of sunflower to foliar application of bio-liquid fertilizers under various sowing dates

A two years field trail was conducted for evaluating the effect of different bio-liquids (vermiwash) sources on sunflower sown at different sowing dates. Experiment was comprised of three sowing dates viz. 20th February, 1st March and 10th March, with three levels of vermiwash viz. alligator @ 15%, alfalfa @ 15% and alligator @ 7.5% + alfalfa @ 7.5% along with control. Foliar application of bio-liquid was sprayed at bud formation, flower initiation and seed (achene) formation. Results revealed that during both the years of study, sowing dates and vermiwash sources significantly affected the yield and quality attributes. Moreover, sunflower planting on 20th February alongside alligator weed bio-liquid @ 15% produced significantly maximum height of the plant (246 and 241 cm), stem circumference (2.36 and 2.31 cm), head circumference (18.6 and 18.2 cm), 1000- achene’s weight (64.72 and 66.18 g) and achene yield (3237 and 3310 kg ha-1 ). This combination also significantly improved the quality traits of sunflower like achene oil contents (50.79 and 49.89%), protein contents (19.67 and 19.32%), oleic acid (30.99 and 30.44%)) and linoleic acid contents (59.94 and 58.88%). It can be concluded from the study that sunflower planting on 20th February with bio-liquid alligator (Alternanthra) weed 15% exhibited maximum morphological and quality performance of sunflower.