The Effects of Nitrogen Mineral on Yield Performance of Sunflower <i>(Helianthus Annuus L.)</i> in Bauchi State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Mineralization, nitrogen, sunflower, yieldAbstract
Result of field trial reported herein was conducted during 2010 and 2011 wet season at Wamdeo (100 30 ‘N, 130 09 ‘E), 345m above sea level, geographically located south of Borno state in Northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. The treatments were 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120kg N ha-1, arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Results indicated among others that growth parameters (leaf area, plant dry weight and crop growth rates) all increased with increasing Nitrogen (N) rates as the application of 120kg N ha-1 produced leaves with wider surfaces and increased dry matter production during all sampling periods (4, 6, 8 and 10 WAS) in both years and combined analysis. Also, the application of 90kg N ha-1 accelerated crop growth in 2011 wet season without statistical comparison to other N rates, as 120kg N ha-1 in 2010 at 8 and 10 WAS and in combined analysis at 10 WAS influenced higher crop vigour which out-grew other N rates. Conclusively, the study stressed that Nitrogen application markedly enhanced growth and yield if applied in the right quantity and time. Consequently, farmers are hereby encouraged to apply the mineral in the right proportion of at least 120kg to 200kg to their plants for improved growth and yield.
References
Akhtar, N. (2004). Agro-physiological response of spring-sown sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to various management practices. Unpublished M.Sc. Agronomy Thesis, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
Ali M., Khalil S. K. and Nawab, K. (2000). Response of sunflower hybrids to various levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture16 (5): 477-483
Allam, A.Y. and Gallal, A. H. (1996). Effects of nitrogen fertilization and plant density on yield and quality of sunflower. Assuit. Journal of Agricultural Science 27 (2): 169-177
Dangari L.C., Tenebe V. A. and Wabekwa, J. W. (2011b). Effects of nitrogen rates on performance of sweet corn in northern Guinea savanna, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agricultural Research and Development 4 (3): 87-92
Duncan, D. B. (1955). Multiple Range and Multiple “F”-tests. Biometrics II: 1-42
Fageria, N. K. and Baligar, V. C. (2005). Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in crop plants. Advanced Agronomy 80:97-185
Farooq, A. (1996). Growth, achene yield and oil contents of spring sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in response to row spacings and nitrogen levels. Unpublished M.Sc. Agronomy Thesis, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
Gutierrez O. V. M., Escalente-Estrada, J. A., Sanchez-Garcia, P., Tijerina, L., Clark, E.M.E. and Mastache-Leagunas, A. A. (2000). Water and nitrogen use efficiency and sunflower yields as affected by nitrogen and pant density in hot climate. Especialidad de Botanica, Colegiode Postgraduados Montecillo, Mexico 18 (1): 51-59
Khaliq, A. (2004). Irrigation and nitrogen management effects on productivity of hybrid sunflower Helianthus annuus L.). Unpublished Ph.D. Agronomy Thesis, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
Kiri, I.Z. (2010). Effects of nitrogen and strategies for improving nitrogen use efficiency in crop. International Journal of Food and Agricultural Research 7 (2)
Moll R. H., Jackson, W. A. and Mokkelsen, R. L. (1994). Recurrent selection for grain yield, dry matter and nitrogen accumulation and partitioning changes. Crop Science 34:874-881
Muhammad, A.M. (2006). Nutritional management studies in spring-planted sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Unpublished Ph.D. Agronomy Thesis, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.
Ogunremi, E. A. (2000). Sunflower, kenaf and sugar-cane in Nigeria: My experiences in: Agronomy in Nigeria. M.O. Akorada (ed.). University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. 130-1428
Osman, E. B. A. and Awed, M. M. M. (2010). Response of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) to phosphorus and nitrogen fertilization under different plant spacings at new valley, Egypt. Association of University Bulletin and Environmental Research 13 (1): 11-18
Saifullah, N. (1996). Exploration of yield potentials of three sunflower cultivars under varying nutritional status. Unpublished M.Sc Agronomy Thesis, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
Wabekwa J. W., Odion, E. C. and Idem, N. U. A. (2010). Effects of nitrogen fertilizer rates on yield and yield components of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) at Samaru, Nigeria. Journal of Arid Agriculture. 19-159-164
Wabekwa J. W., Idem N. U. A. and Aminu, D. (2011). Analysis of some vegetative characters in sunflower and their contributions to seed yield as influenced by nitrogen rates. Journal of Research in Agriculture 8 (3): 84-88