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Seed Rate |
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2 kg/acre
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Soil |
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Sunflower thrives in a variety of soils. Good drainage is important.
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Field Preparation and Transplanting |
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Two ploughings, one harrowing, followed by proper leveling. |
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Spacing |
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Between rows |
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60 cm |
| Between plants |
30 cm |
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Plant Method |
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To achieve good germination and crop stand, seed must be planted in moist soil at a depth of 5 cm. A local plough can be used to open furrows. Seed can be dropped in the furrows by hand and covered with soil. For enhanced germination, early vigor and optimum yield, soak the seed for 24 hours and dry in the shade for 12 hours. |
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Irrigation |
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In the rainy season, irrigation may not be required if the rains are timely. In the post-rainy season, 4-5 irrigations are required.
Bud initiation (30 DAS), button (40 DAS), flowering (55 DAS) and seed development (75 DAS) are the critical stages during which adequate soil moisture must be maintained.
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Fertilizer |
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Apply 4-5 mt/acre quintals FYM or compost and mix thoroughly in soil. Apply 24:36:24 (NPK) kg/acre under normal fertility conditions as follows: |
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Stage |
Urea
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SSP
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MOP
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(46% N)
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(16% P)
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(60% K)
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Planting |
25 kg
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225 kg
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40 kg
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4-5 weeks after planting
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25 kg
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–
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–
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TOTAL |
50 kg
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225 kg
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40 kg
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Inter Culture |
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Two hoeings at 20 and 40 DAS are adequate. |
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Weeding |
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The crop should be kept free from weeds for the first 40-45 days. Pre-emergence application of 600-800 g ai/acre of TOK-E-25 or 300-400 g ai/acre of Prometryne will control weeds effectively. |
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Plant Protection |
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Apply BHC 10% dust @ 10 kg/acre at planting time. Spray Endosulphan 35 EC @ 300 ml or Quinalphos 8.5 EC @ 300 ml or Monocrotophos 36 WSC @ 200 ml or DDVP (Nuvan) 76 EC @ 100 ml mixed in 150 litre of water/acre 20-25 DAS and also 40 DAS to keep the crop free from caterpillars. Do not spray any pesticide at the time of flowering as this will affect honey bee activity. |
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Disease Control |
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Spray Dithane M-45 @ 0.4% at 10 day intervals 2-3 times if alternaria or leaf rust appears. |
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Pollination |
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2-3 honey bee colonies per acre may be used for good seed setting. |
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Harvesting |
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The crop should be harvested when the back of the head turns yellowish. Sun-dry for one or two days before threshing. Over-dried heads may cause problems in winnowing. |
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CAUTION |
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Do not use the grain harvested from hybrid seed based crops as seed for the next crop. Doing so will cause a drastic reduction in crop yields due to segregation and loss of hybrid vigor. |
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