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AICRP on Sunflower
(AICRP-Sunflower)

Achievements

Technologies developed under AICRP on sunflower for development of National Technology Data Bank.

 

  • Developed and released 20 hybrids and 18 varieties for different agro ecological regions in India.
  • The first CMS based Sunflower hybrid BSH-1 was developed from AICRP system from Bengaluru that has paved way for development and release of several hybrids for cultivation and private sector participation.

          

  • Developed and recommended region specific crop production technologies for Alfisols and Vertisols.
  • Most popular and remunerative intercropping systems recommended are sunflower + groundnut (1:5), sunflower + pigeon pea (2:1), sunflower + soybean (1:2), sunflower +
  • Recommended optimum seed rate for both rainfed and irrigated situations, plant population, region wise fertilizer requirements and moisture conservation practices for maximizing the seed yield.

 

  • Soil test based integrated nutrient management has resulted in increased sunflower seed yield up to 20%, higher profitability (Rs 22,000/ ha), reduced application of P by 30%, K by 50% due to improved soil fertility and improved fertilizer use efficiency.

 

  • In Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh (Nandyal) and Vidharba region of Mahara-shtra (Akola), in Alfisols at Bengaluru, in alluvial soils of Bihar and in Alfisols of Coimbatore dual inoculation (seed treatment) with Azospirillum and/or Azotobacter can save 50% recommended nitrogen fertilization amounting to a saving of 20-30 kg N/ha. In Northern Karnataka for sunflower-chickpea sequence and Marathwada region of Mahara-shtra soybean-sunflower cropping system in Vertisols, it is possible to substitute 50% P needs by seed treatment with PSB along with application of 5 t/ha FYM when sunflower is grown with recommended P. In high P fixation Alfisols, use of PSB in sunflower–sorghum cropping system can meet 50% of P requirement of sorghum (30 kg P2O5/ha).

 

  • For intercropping systems involving sunflower, it is necessary to apply 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) to main as well as intercrop on area basis to get highest yields and returns. Alternatively, apply 100% RDF to main crop and 50% RDF to sunflower as basal on area basis and top dress 50% N to sunflower.

 

  • Effective weed control for kharif sunflower in Vertisols was tried through integrated approaches combining herbicides and mechanical means. Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin (1.0 kg) in combination with inter-culturing at 21 DAS followed by hand weeding at 40 DAS registered high weed control efficiency, lower weed index, higher seed yield and nutrient uptake and higher net returns (Rs. 34,209/ha).

Weed management in sunflower

  • Recommendation of sulphur fertilization @ 30-45 kg/ha through ammonium sulphate or gypsum or single super sulphate for obtaining the higher oil yield.
  • Dual seed inoculation of Azospirillum and Azotobacter along with 50% of recommended N can save up to 50% (i.e. 30 kg N/ha) requirement and provide higher profits.
  • Incorporation of crop residues of sunflower treated with 10% cow dung slurry could reduce fertilizer needs of succeeding chickpea or soybean by 25%.
  • Providing directed spray of boron (0.2% i.e. 2 g/l of water) to capitulum at ray floret opening stage increases seed filling, seed yield and oil content. Increase in seed yield due to boron application ranged from 24-30% with additional net returns of Rs. 2400 to Rs. 2900/ha. Under situations of clear boron deficiency in soils, for sunflower involved cropping systems apply boron @ 1 kg/ha (borax 11 kg/ha) in alternate years.
  • Seed treatment with thiram or captan @ 2-3 g/kg of seed to protect from seed-borne diseases. Seed treatment with metalaxyl @ 6 g/kg can protect the crop against downy mildew disease. Seed treatment with imidacloprid @ 5 g/kg before sowing is recommended against insect vectors for the necrosis management.
  • Metalaxyl @ 6 g/kg seed was effective in controlling downy mildew disease of sunflower.
  • For fool proof studies on downy mildew disease of sunflower, a downy mildew sick plot was developed at ORS, Latur under MAU that has resulted in identifying genotypes for downy mildew reaction. It has facilitated to arrest the spread of disease through susceptible genotypes and also resulted in several downy mildew resistant hybrids.
  • Imidacloprid @ 6 g/kg seed was effective in controlling sucking pests up to 30-35 DAS there by controlling the SND.
  • Bio-intensive integrated pest management packages were developed for controlling downy mildew, powdery mildew and sunflower necrosis disease.
  • Removing weeds specially Parthenium and Commelina both from inside and neighbouring fields and remove and destroying diseased plants, treating seed with imidacloprid @ 5 g/kg of seed and spraying 2-3 times at 15 and 30 days interval and growing sorghum as border crop was found effective against SND.
  • Seed treatment with iprodione + carbendazim 2 g/kg seed followed by two sprays of Propiconazole (@ 0.1%) at 15 days interval recorded the low Alternaria disease severity with high seed yield.
  • The powdery mildew disease can be effectively controlled with two sprays of propiconazole @ 0.1% or difeconazole @ 0.05% at 45 and 60 DAS.
  • Indoxacarb (0.015%) and profenophos (0.05%) were found effective against defoliators and stem borer, whereas, profenophos 0.05% was more economical with ICBR of 7.0 followed by chlorpyriphos 0.05% with ICBR of 5.8 for the control of Helicoverpa and stem borer.
  • 1450 q of quality breeder seed of improved varieties and hybrids was produced during the last 25 years.
  • 11597 frontline demonstrations were conducted in the farmers’ field during the last 25 years. The data of FLD indicates the potential of the improved technology to increase the production further by 65% in sunflower. FLDs indicated that there exists a realizable yield gap of 31% with whole package, 19% with cultivars, 20% with fertilizers, 18% each with optimum spacing and weed control and 17% each with thinning and plant protection.

Centre-wise achievements

  • TAS- 82 was notified by Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture on dated 5th October, 2007. (S.O. 1703 (E)).
  • PKVSH-952 (Experimental hybrid) was identified for its promotion through RKVY (Seed Project) in the universe) Jurisdiction and asked to produce seed of this hybrid on large scale (2011).
  • Two hundred seven hybrids were developed at the centre have been nominated to the AICRP/state breeding trials.
  • For the management of whitefly and thrips on sunflower and to obtain higher yield , more ICBR and net profit, seed treatment with Imidachloprid 70WS @ 5g/kg of seed OR two sprays of Imidachloprid 200 SL @ 0.5 ml /liter OR Azadiractin 1500 ppm @ 2ml/liter at 15 and 30 days after emergence are recommended (2008).
  • Two spraying of Dichlorvos 76 % WSC 20 ml OR methomyl 40sp 10g OR Dimethoate 30EC 20ml/10litre of water is recommended at an interval of 10 days as soon as the incidence occurs for the management of mealy bug on sunflower (2010).
  • For the management of Alternaria leaf spot, seed treatment with iprodione (Quintal) @ 0.2% and two sprays on iprodione @ 0.2% at 30 and 45 DAS is highly effective. Aternaria can also be managed by seed treatment with iprodione (Quintal) @ 0.2% and two sprays of tilt (Propiconazole) @ 0.1% at 30 and 45 DAS (2010).
  • Necrosis diseases can be effectively managed with seed treatment of thiomethoxam (Cruiser) @ 4g /kg seed and sprays of thiomethoxam @ 0.05 % at 30 and 45 DAS (2010).

 

  • KBSH-53 with 17-25 qtls yield potential has been released for the state of Karnataka. This is tolerant to powdery mildew
  • Seventeen hybrids nominated to AICRP trials
  • From the new B x B and R x R gene pool developed, finally 120 individual plant progeny selections from ‘R’ line gene pool and 39 individual plant progeny selections from ‘B’ line gene pool for different traits were made and were advanced to S6 These new inbred lines are being evaluated further to know their sterility maintainer and fertility restoration behaviour and combining ability for further utilization in heterosis breeding programme.
  • Identification of New Maintainers and Fertility Restorers for New Diversified CMS Sources: Four CMS lines , DOR-ARG (CMS ARG-6), PRUN-29 (PRH-1), PET 2 and MUT-2 (CMS -PKUZ) of diversified CMS sources (H. argophyllus), (H. praecox spp. runyonii) and (H. annuus) respectively were crossed with 27 inbred lines during Kharif 2007 and the resultant crosses were evaluated for their sterility maintainer and fertility restoration behavior during summer 2008. RHA 272-II was identified as a common restorer and RHA 114 as a common maintainer for all the four diverse CMS sources. Promising few maintainer inbreds are being converted in to new CMS lines.
  • Among lines, PRH 1 was the best general combiner for many traits (7) followed by ARG 6 (4) and among testers RHA 272-II, RHA 589 and RHA 859 were good general combiners. Among the hybrids, MUT 2 x RHA 589 and PRH 1 x MR 1 showed good sca for seed and oil yield. While, ARG 6 x RHA 298 for oil content. ARG 6 x MR 1 exhibited highest heterosis for earliness and MUT 2 x RHA 589 & PRH 1 x MR 1 recorded high heterosis for seed & oil yield over standard checks KBSH 1 and KBSH 44.
  • Evaluation of new inbred lines: Evaluation of 74 newly developed inbred lines was done to know their fertility restoration & sterility maintenance behaviour, combining ability and heterosis. All these inbred lines were crossed with three CMS lines in Line x Tester fashion and the resultant 222 F1 hybrids were evaluated along with KBSH 1 and KBSH 44 as two standard check hybrids.
  • Among 74 new inbred lines, 24 inbreds have restored complete fertility in all the three CMS lines and are being utilized as new RHA lines in heterosis breeding programme to develop new superior hybrids. While, eight inbreds have maintained sterility in all the CMS lines and few of them are being converted in to new CMS lines.
  • During 2007-08 to 2011-12, a total of 430 new single cross experimental hybrids were synthesized and evaluated along with standard check hybrids. Among these hybrids, 155 promising hybrids were advanced to station advanced hybrid trial and 27 superior hybrids were advanced for testing in State Multi location Trials (MLT) across eight agro climatic zones of Karnataka comprising UAS, Bengaluru, UAS, Raichur and UAS, Dharwad.
  • Maintenance and Evaluation of Plant Genetic Resources: The centre is maintaining the germplasm collections of 76 CMS lines, 118 RHA lines and 302 inbred lines. Every year, the CMS lines are being maintained through their respective maintainer lines. While, the fertility restorer lines and inbred lines are being maintained through sib mating.
    • Characterization of 81 germplasm accessions were made and grouped based on morphological characters as per the sunflower descriptor.

     

    Studies on the diversified uses of Sunflower:

    For Confectionary purpose:

     

    • In collaboration with Department of Food Science and Nutrition, UAS, Bengaluru, studies on development and evaluation of value added products prepared from sunflower seed kernel, physic chemical characteristics of the products, shelf life stability of selected food products etc., was conducted to have preliminary information on these aspects for diversification of uses of sunflower crop.
    • Two fried products viz., namkeen and dry roasted flavoured sunflower and other seeds (ground nut, cashew nut & roasted Bengal gram) were developed and evaluated by nine point hedonic scale and products were well accepted. The storage study of these products revealed that these products could be stored for four weeks in HDPE and plastic box at ambient temperature.
    • Eight non fried products viz., burfi, chikki, marzipan, cookies, bread, pesto sauce, soup and salted seeds prepared from sunflower and other seeds were also evaluated by nine point hedonic scale and well accepted.
    • The storage studies on three non fried products viz., burfi, chikki and cookies revealed that the products developed could be stored for maximum of four weeks. Peroxide value and free fatty acid content of stored products were within the safe value.
    • Nutrient composition of the developed products revealed that addition of sunflower seed kernel enhanced some of the nutrients viz., Ash, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorous, iron and zinc when compared to control.

    Seed production

     

    • Maintenance breeding of all parental lines of sunflower hybrids released from UAS, Bengaluru viz., KBSH-1, KBSH-41, KBSH-42, KBSH-44 and KBSH-53 is being under taken regularly for producing good quality nucleus seeds for facilitating the production of breeder, foundation and certified seeds possessing the required standards of genetic purity. Similarly, collaborating with NSP, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru in organizing quality certified seed production programme every year under seed village concept for large scale production and supply of quality seeds for popularization and spread of all the hybrids released from UAS, Bengaluru.
    • Seed production technologies have been standardized to enhance the seed yield of parental lines and commercial hybrids and recommendations were provided for seed producing institutions and growers.
    • For kharif sunflower on Alfisols at Bengaluru, fertilizer is the most important constraint followed by thinning and weeding for realizing higher sunflower production and profitability.
    • Seed treatment with Azotobacter chrococcum along with 50% recommended N results in comparable seed yield as that of 100% N in Alfisols at Bengaluru indicating the possibility of saving up to 50% N amounting to 30 kg N/ha.
    • In Alfisols at Bengaluru, sunflower responds significantly and economically up to 120 kg N and 90 kg P2O5/ha
    • IB-17, IB-20, IB-12, DRSF-118, 336-A, 275-A, 851-A, R-298, R-17, LTRR-83-2, RP-62, KBSH-44, KBSH-1, DRSH-1, PSN-569 etc., found to be promising for high water use efficiency, better root system and low ∆
    • For intrinsic stress tolerance, 246 sunflower genotypes were screened for high temperature stress (TIR technique) and menadione induced oxidative stress. Some of the entries viz., KBSH-1, KBSH-44, TNAUSUF-7, SF-204, PSFH-569, DRSH-1, W-Sel-1-3-2, IB-46, PSN-569, DRSF-108, RSFV-901 etc., showed tolerance to both the stresses.
    • Seventy five sunflower entries from different AICRP (Sunflower) centres were screened for NaCl induced salinity at different NaCl concentrations. Among them, CoSFV-5, CO-4, SVSH-402, KBSH-1, DRSF-108, PKVSF-9, RSFV-901 etc performed well even at higher salinity level.
    • Many genotypes viz., CMS 9B, CMS 103A, CMS17A, COSF-1-A (CMS-lines), AKSF -I – R-6, COSF-1-A (R-lines), RHA 23(R-lines), COSFV-5, RSFV 901 (varieties), and KBSH 55, TNAUSF-CO2 (hybrids) showed multiple stress tolerance to drought, heat, oxidative stress and salinity.
    • Seed treatment with iprodione (quintal) @ 0.2% and two sprays of Propiconazole @0.1% at 30 and 45 DAS was found effective.
    • Seed treatment with thiomethoxam (Cruiser) @ 4 g/kg seed and two sprays of thiomethoxam @ 0.05 % at 30 and 45 DAS.
    • Spray wettable sulphur 80WP @ 0.3% or difenoconazole 25EC @ 0.05% as soon as the symptoms appear and at 15 days interval depending upon the severity of the disease.
    • One need based application of profenophos 50 EC @ 0.05% or chlorpyriphos 20EC 0.05% in the pre-flowering stage for the management of defoliators (Spodoptera litura, Thysanoplusia orichalcea and Spilarctia obliqua).
    • Two spray applications of Spinosad 45SC (@1 ml/ 10 lit.) first at star bud stage and second spray 15days later for the management of Helicoverpa armigera as an alternative to endosulphan 35EC (2 ml/lit.)
  • TNAU-SH CO2 having yield potential of 19-22 qtls has been released for Tamil Nadu.
  • Nineteen hybrids nominated to AICRP trials.
  • Recommended dose of NPK (60-90-60 kg/ha for sunflower and 25-50-75 kg /ha for groundnut) + 5t of FYM/ha for both the crop in the Groundnut- Sunflower system is the best management practice to increase the net return of the system in alfisols.
  • Hybrid TNAU SFH CO2 with 100% of recommended dose of fertilizers (60-90-60 kg NPK/ha) is recommended for getting highest seed yield and net return under alfisols of Coimbatore.
  • Application of 90 kg N/ha and 60 kg P2O5/ha was found to be optimum for sunflower hybrid TCSH 1 and TNAU SFH Co2 ,for increased seed yield and net returns for alfisols at Coimbatore.
  • An economy of 25% N in sunflower can be achieved by cultivating preceding legume crop of either mungbean or groundnut and incorporating.
  • Seed treatment with SAFF (Carbendazim + Mancozeb) @ 3g/kg + Propiconazole 0.1 % sprays at 30 and 45 DAS has been recommended for adoption by farmers for the management of sunflower Alternaria leaf spot with in Tamil Nadu during 2011.
  • Seed treatment with thiomethoxam +2 sprays of thiomethoxam at 30 and 45 DAS and seed treatment with imidacloprid + two sprays of imidacloprid recorded low necrosis incidence of 10.0 % and 11.3 % with maximum seed yield of 1093 kg/ha and 1074 kg/ha and high B : C ratio of 1.41 and 1.39 respectively.
  • 140 Frontline Demonstrations assigned and conducted
  • 0 tonnes of breeder seed and other truthful label seeds produced
  • Dual seed inoculation of Azospirillum and Azotobactor along with 50% of recommended N can save up to 50% (i.e. 30 kg N/ha) requirement and provide higher profits in alluvial soil at Dholi, Bihar during kharif
  • Thinning and fertilizer components are the most critical for realizing optimum yields of sunflower in north Bihar.

 

  • Application of 40 kg S through ammonium Sulphate or Single Super Phosphate along with recommended NPK results in higher seed and oil yield and net return’s from spring sunflower in Bihar.
  • Seed treatment with SAAF @ 3 g/kg seeds along with 2 sprays of Propiconazole (Tilt) @ 0.1% at 30 and 45 DAS.
  • Alternatively seed treatment with SAAF @ 3 g/kg seed along with 2 sprays of Mancozeb @ 0.25% at 30 and 45 DAS is equally effective.
  • 95 Frontline demonstration were conducted against 150 assigned
  • 4 tonne of breeder seeds other truthful seeds produced
  • 20 Frontline Demonstrations assigned and conducted
  • LSFH-171 resistant to downy mildew released for Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states.
  • Six varieties and seven hybrids nominated to AICRP trials

 

  • In soybean-sunflower cropping system, for getting higher sunflower equivalent yield, monitory returns and for maintaining soil fertility status it is recommended to apply 30:60:30 Kg NPK/ha +FYM @ 5t/ha to preceding kharif soybean and 60:30:30 Kg NPK/ha to succeeding rabi sunflower crop in medium back soils of Marathwada region.
  • In Marathwada region of Maharashtra, it is advisable to avoid rabi sorghum
    cultivation succeeding sunflower or soybean under rainfed condition

 

  • Productivity of rabi sorghum can be improved by cultivating succeeding to kharif
    legume like mungbea or urdbea in Marathwada region of Maharashtra.

 

  • For sunflower succeeding to kharif legume apply 60 kgN/ha under irrigated condition for realizing optimum seed yield.
  • For management of defoliators (Trichoplusia ni, Spodoptera litura) and head borer (Helicoverpa) in Marathwada region of Maharashtra, apply profenphos @ 0.05% or chlorpyriphos @ 0.05% or endosulfan @ 0.07%.
  • For the control of stem borer in sunflower quinalphos 0.05 % or endosulfan 0.07 % or chlorpyriphos 0.05 % two spraying at 25 and 40 days after emergence are recommended.
  • For effective, economic & eco-friendly management of sunflower pest fallowing Integrated Pest Management module is recommended:
  1. Seed treatment with thiamethoxam 70 WS @ 4.0 g / kg.
  2. Application of NSKE 5% at 35 and 45 DAS.
  3. Mechanical collection of eggs /larval masses of Spodoptera, Spilosoma and
               Helicoverpa larvae.
  4. Installation of pheromone traps for Helicoverpa 5/acre
  5. Need based application of HaNPV/ SlNPV @ 250 L.E/ha.
  6. ETL based application of recommended insecticide (Profenphos 50 EC @
                       10ml/10 lit.).
  • For the management of Alternaria leaf spot disease of sunflower, the seeds should be treated with Iprodione (Quintal) @ 0.2 percent (2 g/ kg of seed) along with two sprays of this fungicide @ 0.2 percent (2 g / lit. of water) at 30 & 45 DAS.
  • To manage Alternaria blight disease of sunflower, the seeds should be treated with SAAF fungicide (Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63 %WP) @ 3 gm/ kg seed along with two sprays of this fungicide @ 0.2% (20 gm in 10 liters of water) at 30 and 45 DAS.
  • To manage the powdery mildew disease in sunflower, the crop should be protected with two sprays of Difenoconazole (Score 25 EC)@ 0.05 % (5 ml in 10 liters of water) at 30 and 45 DAS.
  • 210 demonstrations, 22 farmers’ mela and 19 training programmes conducted.
  • 8 tonnes of breeder seed and other truthful label seeds produced
  • Two hybrids viz., PSH-569 and PSH-996 with yield potential of 22-23 qts were released for Punjab.
  • Nine hybrids nominated to AICRP trials
  • To realize high seed yield and to save irrigation water, the sowing of sunflower should be done by end of January.
  • If planting of sunflower is delayed till first week of February, hybrid PSH 569 should be preferred for getting better seed yield.
  • Hybrid, APSH-66 with an yield potential of 15-30 qtl is released for Andhra Pradesh
  • Three hybrids nominated to AICRP trials
  • Developed eight new CMS lines NDCMS 2A, NDCMS 3A, NDCMS 4A, NDCMS 5A, NDCMS 6A, NDCMS 7A, NDCMS 8A and NDCMS 9A
  • A total of 405 hybrids were developed
  • Identified two hybrids for Drought tolerance
  • Thirteen B x B and twelve R x R gene pools were developed
  • A total of 500 kg NDSH 1 was produced during the reporting period
  • In black cotton soils of Kurnool district, application of Sulphur @ 40 kg/ha as gypsum or SSP resulted significantly higher seed yield of sunflower.
  • Performance of crops viz., chickpea, coriander, sunflower and safflower in terms of emergence, growth and yield were not significantly affected due to preceding sunflower compared to fallow.
  • Seed treatment with iprodine (QUINTAL) @ 0.2 % and 2 sprays of iprodine @ 0.2 % at 30 and 45 DAS is highly effective for necrosis.
  • Seed treatment with iprodine (QUINTAL) @ 0.2 % and 2 sprays of tilt (propiconazole) @ 0.1 % at 30 and 45 DAS effective for necrosis.
  • Two sprayings of propiconazole 25% EC @ 1ml/litre of water at 30 and 45 DAS is effective against powdery mildew disease.
  • 120 frontline demonstrations assigned and conducted.
  • Component technologies like varietal demonstration of NDSH-1 hybrid, optimum spacing and timely thinning, application of sulphur containing fertilizers, application of Boron at appropriate stage of the crop have resulted in improvement of seed yield and increased additional returns over that obtained with the existing farmers practices in the region.
  • 57 qtls of breeder seed and other truthful label seeds produced
  • Use of bio-fungicides like Trichoderma viridae(10 g/lit) & Pseudomonus flurescens (10g/lit) for spraying at crown region before 1st & 2nd irrigation for control the wilt of Sunflower.
  • 100 Frontline Demonstrations are conducted
  • 65 qtls of breeder and truthful seed was produced.
  • A high yielding sunflower hybrid RSFH-130 has been developed and released in 2008 for cultivation in zone- 1 and 2 of Karnataka. The hybrid RSFH-130 (1984 kg/ha) has given 14 and 31 percent higher seed and oil yield than KBSH-44 (1726kg/ha) and 23 and 45 percent higher seed and oil yield than KBSH-1 (1602 kg/ha), respectively over locations in zone- 1 and 2 of Karnataka.
  • A promising inter specific cross derivative population RSFV-901 resistance to Alternaria leaf blight and tolerant to moisture stress has been identified and released in 2010 for cultivation in zone-1 & 2 of Karnataka. In large scale demonstrations (LSD) over two years (2008 & 2009) RSFV-901 (1038 kg/ha) recorded 28.8 percent higher seed yield over local check Morden (806 kg/ha) in farmers fields. The population RSFV -901 recorded oil content in the range of 39 – 44 percent over locations compared to the check variety (36%).
  • Seed Production Technology: Synchronization of CMS-104A and R-630 (parents of RSFH-130) was tested with staggered sowing of R-630. The male parent to be sown staggered by 5-6 days later than female parent to achieve synchrony.
  • Six varieties/ hybrids nominated to AICRP trials
  • Nutrient management like 100 per cent RDF with FYM @ 5 t / ha to sunflower and RDF with crop residue incorporation in chickpea cropping system gave higher economic returns.
  • Intercropping of sunflower + Ashwagandha (1:6) and sunflower + coriander (1:1) are found economical.
  • Sunflower performed better with higher doses of fertilizer (90:90:60 kg NPK /ha) as compared to the recommended dosage (60:75:60 kg NPK /ha).
  • July 2nd fortnight sown crop has observed severe incidence of Alternaria and SND, to combat diseases, an adhoc recommendation of August 2nd fortnight onward sowings was advised.
  • Difenconazole @ 0.05 at 30 and 45 days after sowing was effective to manage powdery mildew.
  • Seed treatment with iprodine (quintal) @ 0.2% at 30 and 45 days after sowing is highly effective in management of Alternaria leaf spot. Alternaria disease can also be managed by seed treatment with iprodine (quintal) @ 0.2 and followed by two sprays of tilt (propiconazole) @ 0.1 % at 30 and 45 Days after sowing.
  • Necrosis disease can be effectively managed with seed treatment with thiomethoxam (cruiser) @ 4 g/kg seed and sprays of thiomethoxam @ 0.05% at 30 and 45 DAS
  • Sunflower defoliators can be managed effectively with Spinosad 45 SC (Tracer) @ 0.1 ml/ltr and Indoxacarb 14.5 SC (Avaunt) @ 0.3 ml/ltr
  • Sucking pests in sunflower can be managed with Seed treatment of Thiamethoxam 35 FS (cruiser) @ 10ml/Kg seed
  • 220 Frontline Demonstrations assigned and conducted
  • 40 qtls of Breeder seed and other truthful label seeds produced
  • Phule Raviraj (KSFH-437) with an yield potential of 17-20 q/ha was released for Western Maharashtra
  • Two hybrids were nominated to AICRP trials
  • Nienty frontline demonstrations were assigned and conducted
  • 19 qtls of breeder seed and other truthful label seeds produced