Response of yield and quality of four genotypes from sunflower to foliar spray with folic acid

"A field experiment was conducted in the experimental field affiliated to the college of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, The University of Baghdad, Jadrya during the spring season 2019 to invertigate the response of yield and quality traits of Four sunflower genotypes to the folic acid spray. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) of three replicates within afactorial experiment order was used. The experiment included two factors , the first was represented by four sunflower genotypes ( Ishaqi1, Ishaqi2,Tarzan and Aqmar ) and the second by four folic acid concentrations (0,1,2 and 3 gm L-1 ) sprayed at the two plant stages , the first at 4 leaves ( for 75% of the total plants ), the second at the beginning of the appearance of flower buds . The results showed, Aqmar variety was superior in the diameter of disk, number of seed in disk and averages reached 22.77 cm, and 1225 seed respectively. Ishaqi2 was superior in 1000seed weight (82.66 gm), total seeds yield (5.138 Mg ha-1 ) and oil ratio in seed (44.01%) (2.262 Mg ha-1 ). Without significant differences with Aqmar var. in crop growth rate, seeds yield and biological yield. Spraying folic acid affected significantly the most yield and its comonents studied traits. The concentration 2 gm L-1 was superior in oil ratio number of seeds and plant yield with increasing ratio was 27.03%, 16.2% and 7.77% compard with comparsion respectivly. Wheras the plants treated by spraying 3 gm L-1 of folic acid gave the highest averages of the traits diameter of disk ( 22.34 cm ) fertility ratio ( 99.258% ) and 1000 seed weight ( 77.68 gm ) without significant differences in most traits with 2 gm L-1 concentration . Whereas the plants without spray gave the lowest average for most traits. The interaction between the two factors was its significant in yield and its componets (number of seeds and1000 seed weight).