Abstract
The study was conducted to determine the role of potassium nutrition in improving the productivity of sunflower under different tillage systems with varying water deficit levels. The experiment comprised of tillage systems, i.e., conventional, minimum and zero tillage and water deficit levels (75 mm and 55 mm) with foliar sprays of water, 0.5% and 1% potassium. The results revealed that tillage systems and foliar application of potassium under normal and water deficit conditions appreciably improved the growth and yield of sunflower. Conventional tillage produced maximum increase in growth and yield of sunflower as compared to minimum and zero tillage. Similarly, the application of potassium improved the growth and yield of sunflower both under normal and water deficit conditions. However, the maximum improvement in yield was recorded with foliar spray of 1% potassium under normal conditions, meanwhile the application of 1% potassium under water stress conditions also substantially diminish the negative effects and increased the crop yield. In conclusion, foliar application of 1% potassium can be opted both under normal and water deficit conditions for increasing the productivity of sunflower.
