Abstract
In a replicated field trial the effect of different NPK rates viz. 0-0-0, 50-50-0, 75-50-0, 100-50-0 and 100-50-50 kg/ha on the seed yield and seed oil contents of two varieties of sunflower, Cargil and 15-894, was investigated on sandy clay loam soil having on an average 0.061% N, 7 ppm available P20$ and 225 ppm IC A. The crop was planted on March 20 in 90 cm apart double row strips with 30 cm space between the rows of each strip. Application of NP fertilizer beyond the level of 75 kg N + 50 kg 1320s/ha did not help increasing the seed yield of spring sunflower to a substantial extent. The results further revealed that application of K20 in addition to NP did not show any effect on the final seed yield and seed oil contents suggesting thereby that the initial K20 status of the experimental soil was high enough to fulfil the K20 requirements of the crop. Both the varieties under study exhibited almost similar growth and yield potential probably because of equal gene-tic Potential and response behaviour.
INTRODUCTION
At present the total production of edible oil in Pakistan amount to 0.26 million towns as against the total national consumption of 0,96 million tonnes, leaving a shortage of 0.70 million tonnes, so there is an urgent need to accelerate the production of oil seed in the country either by increasing the area under crltivation or by enhancing the productivity per unit area through the adoption of improved production technology, Besides cotton seed which contributes more than half of the country's total production, the major sources of edible oils are rape seed and mustard, ground-nut, sesamum and soybean. However, sunflower - a newly introduced oilseed crop having high yield potential, wider range of adaptability and the highest seed oil contents ranging from 40-45 per ecnt has the maximum potential for bridging the edible oil gap in the country.
