PJB-2023-55
COWPEA AND SUNFLOWER YIELD UNDER NITROGEN LEVELS AND DIFFERENT SOWING PATTERN
Muneeb
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar in the spring 2022. Experiment was consisted of two factors, nitrogen levels (0, 75 and 100 kg N ha-1) and sowing pattern {Cowpea solid stand, Sunflower solid stand, Cowpea alternate with sunflower (1:1), Cowpea + 2 rows of sunflower (1:2), Sunflower + 2 rows of cowpea (1:2), 2 rows of cowpea + 2 rows of sunflower (2:2), 1 row of cowpea + 3 rows of sunflower (1:3), 1 row of sunflower + 3 rows of cowpea (1:3)}. Research was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Recommended dose of phosphorus (60 kg ha-1) was applied. Plot size was 4 m× 3.5 m (14 m2) with six rows. The space between rows and plants were 75 cm and 25 cm, respectively. Results revealed that nitrogen rate of 100 kg ha-1 significantly increase days to flowering (43), plant height (138 cm) and biological yield (3384 kg ha-1) in cowpea, while 75 kg N ha-1 increased pod length (16.6 cm), number of pod plant-1 (35), number of seeds pod-1 (16), 1000 grains weight (137 g), seed yield (980 kg ha-1) and harvest index (30 %) as compare to 100 kg N ha-1 and control treatments. Likewise, among the sowing patterns sole cowpea significantly enhanced plant height (139.1 cm), pod length (18.1 cm), number of pods plant-1 (35), number of seeds pod-1 (16), 1000 grains weight (137 g), seed yield (951 kg ha-1) and biological yield (3313 kg ha-1) as compared to cowpea intercropped with sunflower. Results showed that higher nitrogen (100 kg ha-1) application significantly increased plant height (152.8 cm), head diameter (18.8 cm), number of seeds head-1 (905), 1000 grains weight (49.1 g), biological yield (11332 kg ha-1), seed yield (2382 kg ha-1), harvest index (21%) and oil yield (956 kg ha-1) of sunflower as compare to control plots, while maximum number of unfilled seeds head-1 (69) reported in control plots and reduced with increase in N level. Maximum oil content (40.2 %) was reported at the rate of 75 kg N ha-1 applied. Among different sowing patterns sunflower solid stand enhanced plant height (152.5 cm), head diameter (17.8 cm), number of seeds head-1 (904), 1000 grains weight (47.2 g), biological yield (10779 kg ha-1), seed yield (2235 kg ha-1), harvest index (20.7%), oil content (41.1%) and oil yield (920 kg ha-1) as compared to intercropped with cowpea. Likewise, nitrogen levels (75 kg N ha-1 and 100 kg N ha-1) have resulted the highest LER (1.91) value as compared to control plots (1.89). Among sowing patterns of 1 row of sunflower + 3 rows of cowpea (1:3) have resulted the highest LER (1.95) value as compared to all other sowing patterns. In the light of current study it is recommended that sole stand (Sunflower and Cowpea), 100 kg N ha-1 for sunflower and 75 kg N ha-1 for cowpea enhanced the yield and yield components of sunflower and cowpea in the study area.
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