Emergence Rate,Yield, and Nitrogen-Use Efficiency of Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) Vary with Soil Salinity and Amount of Nitrogen Applied |
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Abstract: | For understanding the effects of soil salinity and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on the emergence rate, yield, and nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) of sunflowers, complete block design studies were conducted in Hetao Irrigation District, China. Four levels of soil salinity (electrical conductivity [ECe] = 2.44–29.23 dS m?1) and three levels of N fertilization (90–180 kg ha?1) were applied to thirty-six microplots. Soil salinity significantly affected sunflower growth (P < 0.05). High salinity (ECe = 9.03–18.06 dS m?1) reduced emergence rate by 24.5 percent, seed yield by 31.0 percent, hundred-kernel weight by 15.2 percent, and biological yield by 27.4 percent, but it increased the harvest index by 0.9 percent relative to low salinity (ECe = 2.44–4.44 dS m?1). Application of N fertilizer alleviated some of the adverse effects of salinity, especially in highly saline soils. We suggest that moderate (135 kg ha?1) and high (180 kg ha?1) levels of N fertilization could provide the maximum benefit in low- to moderate-salinity and high- or severe-salinity fields, respectively, in Hetao Irrigation District and similar sunflower-growing areas. |
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Keywords: | Helianthus annuus nitrogen application rate nitrogen use efficiency net economic profit salinity |
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