EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DRIP IRRIGATION REGIMES AND FERTIGATION ON YIELD AND YIELD ATTRIBUTES OF RABI SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus. L)

Abstract

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important oilseed crop in India. It contains sufficient amount of calcium, iron and vitamins A, D, E and B
complex. Because of high linoleic acid content (64%) it has got anti cholesterol property as a result of which it has been used by heart patients. It is being cultivated over an area of about 2.8 lakh hectares with a production of 2.2 lakh tones and productivity of 643 kg ha-1 (IIOR, 2018). In india total area under drip irrigation was 4.77 M ha. Karnataka occupies first position in india with respect to area (1.7 lakh hectares) and
production (1.06 lakh tones) followed by Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Orissa and Tamil Nadu. In Telangana, sunflower is being grown in an area of 4000 hectare, producing 8000 tonnes with the productivity of 1154 kg ha-1 (IIOR, 2018). The global challenge for the coming decades is to increase the food production with utilization of less water. It can be
partially achieved by increasing crop water use efficiency (WUE). Improving the water and nutrient use efficiency has become imperative in present day’s Agriculture. Drip irrigation with proper irrigation schedule and application of fertilizers through drip with right quantity and right time will enhance the crop growth which leads to increased yield.