FIELD EVALUATION OF SELECTED HYDROPHILIC POLYMER FOR ENHANCING WATER PRODUCTIVITY IN SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus L.)
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Date
2012-06-12
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Abstract
FIELD EVALUATION OF SELECTED HYDROPHILIC POLYMER FOR ENHANCING WATER PRODUCTIVITY IN SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus L.)
Muneer Balenavar Dr. M. Nemichandrappa
ABSTRACT (MAJOR ADVISOR)
A complete Randomized Block Design field experiment with four replications was conducted at Main Agriculture Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, to study the Field evaluation of selected hydrophilic polymer for enhancing water productivity in sunflower (Helianthus annuus). The treatments consisted of different concentrations of hydrophilic polymer applied into the soil at the time of sowing of sunflower. Treatments were 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 gm of polymer per spot and control. The ability of the soil to retain water increased with increasing hydrogel concentrations. The hydrophilic polymer can be used in arid and semi-arid areas to enhance the drought tolerance. Water availability is one of the most important factors influencing plant growth. Water absorbing polymers have been reported to be effective tools in increasing water holding capacity, moisture retention, water use efficiency, and growth properties of sunflower. The studied growth characteristics including plant height, number of leaves, leaf area index (LAI), head diameter, 100-seed weight and grain yield. Recorded highest soil moisture retention was 14.75% for T6 and 8.0% lowest for untreated soil T1. Consequently there were substantial increases in water use efficiency of sunflower plants grown in soils treated with polymers. Applied polymer was positively affecting the physical and chemical properties of the soil. These include, (a) decreasing soil bulk density as well as particle density (b) increasing porosity of soil (c) increasing N, P and K in treated soil. (d) pH and EC, were decreased. The water use efficiency recorded for polymer treated soil is 5.62 kg ha-1 mm-1 and for untreated soil 2.58 kg ha-1 mm-1. The high rates of polymer required to elicit a crop yield under relatively mild water deficit conditions limit the value of these polymers for agriculture field use. The results of sunflower yield (kg ha-1) indicated that hydrophilic polymer treated recorded higher seed yield 1602 kg ha-1and lower yield was noticed in control 745 kg ha-1. Higher B:C ratio (6.19) was recorded at 1.4 gm per spot T3 whereas, lower B:C ratio at control T1 (5.79) was recorded. The results of this study have shown that the crop yield could be improved. Polymer can store extra water and enable to the plants to utilize that water over an extended period of time.
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FIELD EVALUATION OF SELECTED HYDROPHILIC POLYMER FOR ENHANCING WATER PRODUCTIVITY IN SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus L.)
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