3.

Experiment Title: Performance of Sunflower (Helianthus anus) under varying soil

amendments and organic inputs spray in saline- sodic conditions of soil
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted at ARSS, Vallabhnagar during 2017-18 and 2018-
19 on loamy sand soil. The experiment comprising of four soil amendments (control,
gypsum, FYM and vermi compost) and three organic inputs (panchgavya, vermiwash and
jeevamrut) to sunflower crop thereby making 12 treatment combinations was laid out in split
plot design and replicated thrice.

Results showed that gypsum significantly increased the most of the growth and yield
attributing characters of sunflower viz., plant height, days to flowering, days to maturity,
number of seeds per head, head diameter and test weight over preceding levels. It also
recorded significantly higher seed (1656.11 kg/ha), stalk (1650.67 kg/ha) and biological yield
(2901.27 kg/ha) of sunflower over control. However, it was found at par with FYM and
vermicompost, wherein the maximum values of growth and yield attributes as well as yield
were obtained. It also fetched highest returns of 63442.83 ` ha-1 over control and maximum
B-C ratio (2.01) was recorded under control which was statistically higher over remaining
treatment.

Result further showed that vermiwash 10% significantly improved most of the growth
and yield determining characters of sunflower over lower levels. It also recorded
significantly higher seed (1608.42 kg/ha), stalk (1231.19 kg/ha) and biological yield
(2766.08 kg/ha) over remaining treatments. It also provided highest net returns of 63399.65 `
ha-1 over remaining treatments with B:C ratio of 1.73.

Background of experiment: Sunflower is very important oil seed crop and cultivation under
saline- sodic soil is even more challenge for researchers, soil amendments are any material
such as gypsum, compost, FYM, animal manures, crop residue or synthetic soil conditioners
etc.that is worked into the soil or applied on the surface to enhance plant growth.
Amendments may contain important fertilizer elements but the term commonly refers to
added materials other than those used primarily as fertilizers. Now-a day we are talking about
organic farming, it is ancient knowledge which helps us in several ways. Foliar spray of
organic liquids provides nutrients in easily available form to the crop plants under adverse
condition also. With all these considerations, the present study was conducted at ARSS,
Vallabhnagar during 2017-18 and 2018-19 with the following objects-
 1. To assess the effect of soil amendments in saline- sodic soil
2. To check the utility of organic liquids in the form of foliar spray

Materials and Methods:

Method of preparation of organic liquids
1. Jeevamrut
200 litres of water was put in a barrel; 10 kg of fresh desi cow dung was added
followed by 10 litres of aged cow’s urine; To this 2 kg of jaggery, 2 kg of pulse flour (gram)
and a handful of live soil from under canopy of the banyan tree (about 100 g) are added. Stir
the solution well and let it ferment for 48 hours in the shade. Now jeevamrut is ready for
application. 200 litres of jeevamrut is sufficient for one acre of land (Palekar, 2006).
Jeevamrut is a fermented microbial culture. It provides nutrients, but most
importantly, acts as a catalytic agent that promotes the activity of microorganisms in the soil,
as well as increases earthworm activity; During the 48 hour fermentation process, the aerobic
and anaerobic bacteria present in the cow dung and urine multiply as they eat up organic
ingredients (like pulse flour). A handful of undisturbed soil is also added to the preparation,
as inoculation of native species of microbes and organisms. Jeevamrut also helps to prevent
fungal and bacterial plant diseases.
Spray of jeevamrut
Different doses of jeevamrut were sprayed in experimental plots as per treatment
during crop period as per described in Table 3.3. Jeevamrut solutions were prepared as per
treatment application, for example 2 per cent of jeevamrut solution prepared by adding 2
litreof jeevamrut to every 100 litre of water. After dilution the jeevamrut solution was filtered
before using it for spraying.
2. Panchgavya:Panchgavya is a biological product which is prepared by mixing of five
ingredients viz. cow dung, urine and milk which is direct constituents obtained from cow and
the two derived products are curd and ghee. Those constitute commonly used in ratios of
10:10:3:2:1, 1:1:1:1:1 and 5:3:2:2:1. Foliar application of panchagavya is useful in promoting
crop growth and less infestation of insects and pests. When used in ayurvedic medicine, it is
also called cowpathy.
Ingredients:
 Fresh cow dung: 50kg
 Cow urine: 3 litre
 Cow milk: 2 litre
  Curd: 2 lite
 Ghee: 1 kg
 Jaggary: 1 kg
 Coconut water: 1 litre
 Riped banana: 12
Methods:

3. Vermiwash:
4. FYM:
5. Vermicompost:
Treatment and experiment details
The details of the treatments with their symbols are given in Table ………. and ……..
Treatment Details:
A. Soil amendments:04
A1 : Control
A2 : Gypsum @ 15 tonnes ha-1
A3 : FYM @ 15 tonnes ha-1
A4 : Vermi compost @ 5 tonnes ha-1
B. Organic inputs (liquid): 03
OI1 : Panchgavya 5 %
OI2 : Vermiwash 10 %
OI3 : Jeevamrut 5 %

Experiment Details:
Season : Rabi
Number of treatments : 12
Number of replications : 03
Total number of plots : 36
Experimental design : Split plot Design
Plot size : 3.0 x 6.0 m = 18.0 m2
Net:
Test crop : Sunflower
Variety : -
Crop geometry : 3.0 x 6.0 m = 18.0 m2
Seed rate (kg ha-1) :
Fertilizers (kg ha-1) :
Date of sowing : Rabi 2017-18: 12/12/2017
Rabi 2018-19:
Details of crop raising
The schedule of different pre and post sowing operations carried out during rabi
season are given in Table ………. and details of crop raising is described as under.
Table: Schedule of field operations carried out during crop growth period (Rabi
season)
S. No. Operations 2016-17 2017-18
1. Ploughing and field
preparations
2. Layout of experimental field
and seed bed preparation
3. Fertilizer/ Organic manure
application
4. Sowing
5. Irrigations
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth
6. Herbicide spray and weeding
7. Harvesting
8. Threshing and winnowing

Experimental view / photographs:

 Experiment view

Results and Discussion:

Growth parameters:
Plant height
Soil amendments: It is clear from data (Table 1) indicates that the maximum plant height
(142.0 cm) was recorded under gypsum which was at par with FYM (192.5 cm) and
vermicompost (140.11 cm). While, the minimum plant height (133.78 cm) was recorded
under control in the year 2017. Similar trend was observed in 2018. On pooled basis the
maximum plant height (142.0 cm) was measured with gypsum application, which was
statistically at par with FYM but significantly superior over vermicompost and control. This
is due to sulphur applied through gypsum increased the availability of other nutrients and
enhanced the growth attributes of sunflower (Vaiyapuri et al., 2004). The increase in growth
attributes might be due to more synthesis of amino acids, improving the photosynthetic
activity, ultimately enhancing cell division resulted in an increment in plant height. This was
evidenced through the studies of Raja et al. (2007) in sesame.
Organic inputs: It noted from data (Table 1), on pooled basis the maximum plant height
(142.08 cm) was recorded with foliar application of vermiwash 10 per cent, which was
significantly higher over rest of organic inputs. The enhanced plant growth characters may be
due to the presence of growth regulatory substances such as IAA, GA, cytokinin, essential
plant nutrients, effective microorganisms and biofertilizers like Acetobacter, Azosprillum and
Phosphobacterium present in the vermiwash (Esakkiammal et al., 2015). In another study,
15% vermiwash exhibited better growth promoting effects on Abelmoschus esculentus
(Elumalai et al., 2013).
Days to flowering
Soil amendments: Results revealed that the minimum days (63) required for flowering was
under control which was statistically at par with application of gypsum but significantly
superior over application of gypsum and vermicompost on pooled basis. Similar trend was
observed in the year of 2017 while, in 2018 it was non-significant (Table 1).
Organic inputs: The figures presented in Table 1 shows that on pooled basis minimum days
(63.71) was required for days to flowering with application of vermiwash 10 per cent, which
was statistically at par with jeevamrut 5 per cent. However, maximum days (65.96) were
required with panchgavya 5 per cent.
Days to maturity
Soil amendments: Divulge the fact that on the pooled basis the maximum days taken for
maturity (123.39) with vermicompost, which was statistically at par with FYM but
statistically higher over gypsum and control.
Organic inputs: A close look into the figures the maximum days to maturity (122.04) was
calculate under jeevamart 5 per cent, which was statistically higher over rest of the
treatments. However, data further indicated that vermiwash 10 per cent and panchgavya 5 per
cent both were statistically at par with each other.
Number of seeds head-1
Soil amendment: Further the differences in yield can be attributed to variation in yield
components like number of seeds per head and number of filled seeds per head. An
assessment of data (Table 2) shows that the maximum number of seeds head-1 (48.33) was
recorded under gypsum which was statistically at par with treatment vermicompost (47.78)
and FYM. Whereas, minimum number of seeds head-1(41.11) was recorded under control in
the year 2017. Same trend was observed in 2018 and on pooled basis. Sulphur is known to
play a vital role in the formation of amino acids. It had favourable effect on yield attributes
due to proper partitioning of photosynthates from source to sink. These findings were earlier
reported by Syed Shajat Hussain et al. (2011).
Organic inputs: The data explicate that the maximum number of seeds head-1(47.75) was
recorded under vermiwash 10 per cent, which was statistically at par with jeevamrut 5 per
cent and statistically higher over panchgavya 5 per cent in the year 2017. Whereas, minimum
number of seeds head-1(44.08) was recorded under control in the year 2017. Same trend was
observed in 2018 and on pooled basis. Vermiwash application have influenced on plant
growth due to high microbial mass which contributes to plant growth by supplying various
plant growth regulating substances (PGRs) such as plant horomones, Auxin, Gibberellins,
Cytokines, Ethylene and Abscisic acid in appreciable quantities. These results are in
conformity with Frankenberger and Arshad, (1995) in groundnut.
Head diameter
Soil amendments: Head diameter is another important component governing the seed yield.
Head diameter is known to facilitate more number of seeds and in turn increases the seed
yield. On pooled basis, it is noted from data (Table 2) the maximum diameter of head
(16.57cm) was recorded under gypsum application, which was statistically at par with FYM
and vermicompost but superior over control.
Organic inputs: The results revealed the maximum diameter (16.46cm) was measured with
foliar application of vermiwash 10per cent, which was statistically superior over rest of the
organic inputs on pooled basis. Whereas, in 2018vermiwash 10 per cent and jeevamart 5 per
cent were statistically at par with each other in respect of head diameter. While in the year of
2017 vermiwash and panchgavya were non-significant. Application of organic liquid
fertilizers was attributed to better growth of plant, better assimilation and translocation of
food reserve which resulted in higher source to sink relationship. It has resulted higher
capitulum diameter, seed yielding parameters and seed yield parameters.
Test weight
Soil amendments: The data (Table 2) indicates that the maximum test weigh (86.11g) was
recorded under gypsum and FYM which was statistically at par with vermicompost. Whereas
minimum test weight (80.89g) was recorded under control in the year 2017. In 2018 the
maximum test weight (86.78g) was recorded under gypsum which was statistically higher
over remaining soil amendments. Whereas, minimum test weight (83.89g) obtained in
control. On the pooled basis the maximum test weight (86.44g) was obtained under gypsum
which was statistically at par with FYM (85.56g) and statistically higher over remaining
treatments. This might be due to the improved nutritional environment as a result of increased
sulphur supply to favourably influenced the carbohydrate metabolism. This favourable effect
might have led to increased translocation of photosynthates towards seeds resulting in the
formation of bold seeds.
Organic input: A read-through of data (Table 2) shows that the maximum test weight (86.58
g) was recorded with foliar application of vermiwash 10 per cent, which was statistically at
par with treatment jeevamrut 5 per cent but superior over panchgavya 5 per cent in 2017.
Whereas, in 2018 all organic inputs did not show any significance with respect of test weight.
On the pooled basis the maximum test weight (86.38g) was acquired under vermiwash 10 per
cent, which was statistically higher over remaining treatments.
Yield
Seed yield
Soil amendments: Seed yield is governed by a number of factors which have a direct or
indirect impact. High seed yield was mainly due to bigger head size, which would
accommodate more seed. The factors which have direct bearing on on the seed yield are the
yield components viz., seed weight per plant, 100 seed weight, number of seeds per head and
head diameter. Data presented in Table 3 specifies that the maximum seed yield (1656.11kg
ha-1) was recorded with application of gypsum, which was at par with FYM (1607.33kg ha-1)
and vermicompost (1650.67 kg ha-1)whereas, minimum seed yield (1029.44kg ha-1)was
recorded under control in the year 2017. The maximum seed yield (1736.11 kg ha-1) was
recorded in gypsum which was at par with FYM (1727.22 kg ha-1) and vermicompost
(1666.78 kg ha-1) in the year 2018. On the pooled basis same trend was observed. The higher
seed yield and straw yield may be due to higher uptake of sulphur with gypsum over other
sources.
Organic inputs: A perusal of data (Table 3) indicates that the maximum seed yield (1608.42
kg ha-1) was recorded under vermiwash 10 per cent which was statistically higher over
remaining treatments. A similar trend was followed in 2018 and on pooled basis. Vermiwash
had antibacterial and biopesticidal properties, when spraying it on foliage quality and
quantity of yield were improved markedly (Somani, 2008). The similar results were reported
by Gupta et al. (1998).
Biological yield
Soil amendments: On pooled basis the maximum biological yield (2901.27 kg ha-1) was
obtained with FYM, which was at par with gypsum (2887.52 kg ha-1) but statistically higher
over remaining soil amendments.
Organic inputs: Data (Table 3) indicates that the maximum biological yield (2766.08 kg ha-
1
) was recorded with application of vermiwash 10 per cent, which was statistically higher
over remaining treatments in the year 2017.Similar trend was observed in year 2018 and on
the pooled basis.
Straw yield
Soil amendments: On the pooled basis of data year 2017 and 2018 the maximum straw yield
(1233.99kg ha-1) was obtained with application of FYM which was at par with control
(1230.20 kg ha-1) and gypsum (1650.67 kg ha-1) but statistically higher over vermicompost
(Table 3).
Organic inputs:A read-through of data (Table 3), on pooled basis the maximum straw
yield(1231.19 kg ha-1) was recorded with application of jeevamrut 5 per cent, which was at
par with treatment panchgavya 5 per cent (1187.45kg ha-1) but statistically higher over
vermiwash 5 per cent. Whereas, in both the years of experimentation non-significant results
was found in respect of straw yield.
Harvest index
Soil amendments: A visualization of data (Table 3) clearly indicates that the maximum
harvest index (60.38%) was recorded with application of vermicompost, which was at par
with gypsum (57.82) but statistically higher over remaining treatments in the year 2017-18.
In 2018-19the maximum harvest index (59.27%) was recorded under vermicompost, which
was at par with gypsum (58.79%) and FYM (58.61%). However, the minimum harvest index
(46.53%) was recorded under control in the year 2018-19. On the pooled basis the maximum
harvest index (59.83%) was obtained under vermicompost which was at par with gypsum
(58.30%) but statistically higher over remaining treatments. This could be ascribed to better
partitioning of dry matter into grain.
Organic inputs: A perusal of data (Table 3) indicates that the maximum harvest index
(57.46%) was recorded with vermiwash 10per cent which was statistically higher over
remaining treatments in the year 2017-18. The maximum harvest index (58.86%) was
recorded under vermiwash 10 per cent, which was statistically at par with treatment
panchgavya 5 per cent but superior over jeevamrut 5 per cent in 2018-19. On pooled basis the
maximum harvest index (58.16%) was recorded with vermiwash 10 per cent, which was
statistically higher over remaining treatments.
Economic
Gross return
Soil amendments: Economics is the major consideration for the farmers while taking a
decision regarding the adoption of any technology. The maximum gross return (61989.44 `
ha-1) was recorded under gypsum, which was statistically at par with vermicompost
(61578.89 ` ha-1) and FYM (60357.67 `ha-1). However, minimum gross return (39522.67 ` ha-
1
) was recorded under control in the year 2017-18. In 2018-19, the maximum gross return
(64896.21 ` ha-1) was recorded under gypsum which was statistically at par with treatment
FYM (53643.9 ` ha-1) and vermicompost. On the pooled basis the maximum gross return
(63442.83 ` ha-1) was obtained under gypsum, which was statistically at par with treatment
FYM and vermicompost (Table 4). This was resulted due to increased seed yield with
gypsum compared to other sources.
Organic inputs: An examination of data (Table 4) indicates that the maximum gross return
(60218.33 ` ha-1) was recorded under vermiwash10 per cent which was statistically superior
over rest of treatments. The maximum gross return (63399.65 ` ha-1) was recorded under
vermiwash10 per cent which was statistically higher over remaining treatments. While,
minimum gross return (52203.33 ` ha-1) was recorded under jeevamrut 5per cent in the year
2018-19. On the pooled basis the maximum gross return (61808.99 ` ha-1) was obtained under
vermiwash10 per cent, which was statistically higher over remaining treatments.
Net return
Soil amendments: Data presented in Table 4 indicates that the maximum net return
(25777.44`ha-1) was recorded under gypsum, which was statistically at par with FYM
(24145.67 ` ha-1) in the year 2017-18. The maximum net return (64896.21 ` ha-1) was
recorded under gypsum which, was at par with treatment vermicompost (62310.05 ` ha-1).
However, minimum net return (42398.15 ` ha-1) was recorded under control in the year 2018-
19. On the pooled basis the maximum net return (45336.83` ha-1) was obtained under
gypsum, which was at par with treatment FYM but statistically higher over remaining
treatments. Higher net returns under treatment (gypsum) might be due to more returns
from higher grain yield as compared to cost involved under this treatment. As net return is
calculated by multiplying grain and straw yields by their sale prices and subtracting the total
cost of cultivation including treatment cost, it seems to be directly associated with
significantly higher grain and straw yields obtained under these superior treatments as well as
comparatively lower additional cost of cultivation over control in comparison to added
output.
Organic inputs: Data presented in Table 4 indicates that the maximum net return (23806.33
`ha-1) was recorded under vermiwash 10per cent which was statistically higher over
remaining treatment. in the year 2017-18. The maximum net return (63399.65 ` ha-1) was
recorded under vermiwash 10 per cent, which was statistically higher over remaining
treatment. Whereas minimum net return (54148.43 ` ha-1) was recorded under jeevamrut 5
per cent in the year 2018-19. On the pooled basis the maximum net return (43602.99` ha-1)
was obtained under vermiwash 10per cent, which was statistically higher over remaining
treatments.
B-C ratio
Soil amendments: A perusal of data (Table 4) indicates that the maximum B-C ratio (1.87)
was recorded under control, which was statistically higher over remaining treatment in the
year 2017-18. A perusal of data (Table 4) indicates that the maximum B-C ratio (2.01) was
recorded under control which was statistically higher over remaining treatment whereas,
minimum B-C ratio (1.35) was recorded under vermicompost in the year 2018-19. On the
pooled basis the maximum B-C ratio (1.94) was obtained under control which was
statistically higher over remaining treatment.
Organic inputs: A perusal of data (Table 4) indicates that year 2017-18 was non-significant.
On the pooled basis the maximum B-C ratio (1.73) was obtained under vermiwash 10 which
was statistically higher over remaining treatment.

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