OILCROP-SUN Model for Nitrogen Management of Diverse Sunflower (<i>Helianthus annus</i>L.) Hybrids Production under Agro-Climatic Conditions of Sargodha, Pakistan

Decision support system for agro-technology transfer (DSSAT), OIL CROP-SUN Model was used to stimulate the phenology, growth, yield of different two sunflower hybrids. i.e. Hysun-33 and S-78 by applying different nitrogen levels. The effect of nitrogen (N) on growth and yield components of different sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids were evaluated under agro-climatic conditions of Sargodha, Pakistan during spring 2013. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications, keeping cultivars in the main plots and nitrogen levels (0, 45, 90,135 and 180 kg/ha) in sub plots. OIL CROP-SUN Model showed that the model was able to simulate the growth and yield of sunflower with an average of 10.44 error% between observed and simulate achene yield (AY). The result of simulation indicates that nitrogen rate of 180 kg/ha produced highest achene yield in S-78 hybrid as compared to other treatments and Hysun-33 cultivar.

Significance of Chemical Priming on Yield and Yield Components of Wheat under Drought Stress

Drought is the most important factor limiting plant production in the majority of agricultural crops of the world. Wheat is generally grown on arid-agricultural fields. An experiment was conducted at the Plant physiology research area, Agronomic Research Institute Faisalabad, during winter 2010-11 to evaluate the effect of drought on wheat variety Lasani 2008. The experiment was comprised of following treatments. T1 Normal moisture (3 IR at CRS, Booting and grain filling), T2 No irrigation (only rainfed) control, T3 water spray (100 ppm), T4 ascorbic acid (100 ppm), T5 salicylic acid (100 ppm), T6 calcium chloride (100 ppm), T7 glycinbetain (100 ppm). According to the resulting data the treatment in which three irrigation were applied produced more no. of tillers (52%), spikelet per spike (41%), spike length (30%), grain per spike (58%), grain yield (54%), biological yield (35%) as compared to control. The treatment in which no irrigation was applied produced less no. of tillers, spikelet per spike, spike length, grain per spike, grain yield, biological yield. Thousand grain weight and harvest index were non significant among all treatments.

Evaluation of Wheat Varietal Performance under Different Nitrogen Sources

Nitrogen fertilization plays a very important role for crop productivity. New developed wheat varieties need proper fertilization for improved crop productivity. The present study was carried out to quantify, the effects of nitrogen derived from urea and FYM on the four newly developed wheat varieties i.e. Siran-2009, Ata Habib, Janbaz-2009 and Pirsabak-2008 for yield improvement, quality and soil fertility status. The N treatments were control, 100% of the recommended nitrogen from urea as well as FYM, and 50% from each source. The experiment was carried out at New Developmental Farm, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar Pakistan, during Rabi 2011-2012. Results of the data showed that Janbaz-2009 was more responsive to biological yield (11,011 kg·ha-1), grain yield (4339 kg·ha-1), and nitrogen use efficiency (14.8%), whereas Siran-2010 performed better for grain N contents (2.31%). Plots having both urea and FYM had improved biological yield (11,958 kg·ha-1), and grain yield (4901 kg·ha-1). Urea application had improved straw N contents (0.92%) in addition to Mix application of urea and FYM (0.93%). Mix application of both sources and sole FYM had higher grains N content (2.25%), whereas control plots in addition to mix application had improved nitrogen use efficiency (14.8%). Siran-2010 and Janbaz-2009 performed better in FYM and mix FYM and urea plots for most of the parameters. It was concluded from the experiment that Janbaz-2009 had improved yield and yield components, whereas Siran-2010 had improved the grain N content. Similarly, Mix application of FYM and urea had improved crop productivity, soil fertility and grains as well as straw N content. Thus wheat varieties Janbaz-2009 sown in mix FYM and urea is recommended for general cultivation in agro-climatic condition of Peshawar.

Nitrogen Management of Diverse Sunflower (<i>Helianthus annus</i>L.) Hybrids Production under Agro-Climatic Conditions of Sargodha, Pakistan

A field study was carried out with the objective to determine the effect of various levels of nitrogen on growth, development, yield and yield components of different sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids i.e. Hysun-33 and S-78 were evaluated under agro-climatic conditions of Sargodha, Pakistan during spring 2013. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications, keeping cultivars in the main plots and N levels in the subplots. The net plot size was 4.2 m × 6 m. The growth parameters such are leaf area, leaf area duration and yield parameters were observed are Days to a thesis, Days to maturity, head diameter (cm), No. of achene’s per head, Achene yield (kg&#183ha-1) and total dry matter (kg). The results showed that increasing the nitrogen rate also increased the No. of achene’s per head, Achene yield (kg&#183ha-1) and total dry matter (kg) in S-78 hybrid where the nitrogen application rate was 180 kg&#183ha-1 as compared to Hysun-33 cultivar.