Boosting Achene Yield and Yield Related Traits of Sunflower Hybrids through Boron Application Strategies

Effects of different boron (B) application methods on growth and yield of sunflower hybrids were checked out at Agronomic Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during spring, 2013. Field experiment was conducted by considering three sunflower hybrids viz., Patron 551, Patron 851 and S-278 along with different methods of B application i.e. no B application, seed treatment @ 0.05% B, soil B application @ 2 kg·ha-1 at sowing, soil B application @ 2 kg·ha-1 at ray floret stage and foliar application of B @ 200 mg·L-1 at ray floret stage. Uttermost plant height (150.78 cm), the number of leaves per plant (22.67) and stem diameter (1.62 cm) were accomplished when boron was soil applied @ 2 kg·ha-1 at sowing. Significantly higher head diameter (18.30 cm), number of achene per head (1266.44), 1000-achene weight (43.17 g) achene yield (2039.33 kg·ha-1), biological yield (9223.11 kg·ha-1) and harvest index (22.10%) were registered when boron was foliar applied @ 200 mg·L-1 at ray floret stage. Among sunflower hybrids, Patron 551 produced significantly higher growth and yield attributes as compared with Patron 851 and S-278 hybrids. This study suggested that the selection of Patron 551 hybrid with practicing boron foliar application @ 200 mg·L-1 at ray floret stage could be helpful in achieving the sunflower crop genetic potential.