EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL POTASSIUM AND CHITOSAN ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS L.) UNDER DROUGHT STRESS

Abstract

In the present study, we evaluated the influence of potassium (K) and chitosan (Ct) on sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) under water limitations. The plants of a drought tolerant sunflower hybrid viz. Hysun-33 were grown to flowering stage under normal conditions and later subjected to drought by withholding irrigation at 50 days after sowing (DAS) for two weeks. Foliar spray of K (1%) and Ct (0.1%) were applied to both normal and water stressed plants, whereas the control plants were treated with water spray (control). The role of exogenous K and Ct application in improving drought tolerance of sunflower was determined by measuring various yield parameters. The obtained data was statistically analyzed following Fisher’s ANOVA technique and difference among the treatments was tested by Tukey test at probability level of 5%. The results showed that the plants foliar sprayed with the combined Ct and K maintained the highest chlorophyll content, thereby increasing the yield attributes under water deficit conditions. Also, a marked increment in macronutrients uptake was observed by Ct + K application in drought stressed plants. Our findings suggest that the application of Ct + K is an effective strategy to improve sunflower yield in arid areas.