Abstract
The influence of nitrogen fertilizer and water stress on leaf area of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was studied in pots. Urea as a nitrogen fertilizer was applied at the time of sowing and sporadic stress was induced by a cycle of ten-day watering and ten-day stress period after 20, 30, 40 and 50 days of sowing. Data revealed that the sporadic stress and urea fertilizer had highly significant response. When either the stress period was increased or urea fertilizer decreased, the leaf area signIficantly decreased. The highest leaf area values were recorded with full dose of urea, intermediate with 1/3rd dose and the lowest with 1/8th dose of urea at all sporadic stress levels. Key words: leaf area, nitrogen fertilizer, sunflower, water stress
