HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Deibert, E. J. Articles by Utter, R. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Deibert, E. J. Articles by Utter, R. A. Agricola Articles by Deibert, E. J. Articles by Utter, R. A.

Sunflower Growth and Nutrient Uptake: Response to Tillage System, Hybrid Maturity and Weed Control Method

Dep. of Soil Science. North Dakota State Univ., Fargo, ND 58105

* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

Limited information is available on the influence of reduced tillage systems, weed control methods and hybrid maturity on growth and nutrient uptake of sunflower (Helianthus annus). A study was conducted during 1985 to 1986 on a Fargo clay (fine, frigid, montmorillonitic Vertic Haplaquoll) to evaluate plant growth, drymatter production, and N, P, and K content at vegetative stage (V-16), reproductive stage (R-5), and seed at harvest of early and late maturity hybrids as influenced by conventional tillage (fall plow) or reduced tillage (fall sweep, fall intertill, and no-till) and weed control by herbicides or herbicides plus cultivation. Plant height and dry-matter at V-16 were higher with reduced tillage in 1985 with limited precipitation, but lower than conventional tillage in 1986 with above normal precipitation. Hybrids performed similarly at V-16, but by R-5, height and drymatter were greater for the late hybrid. No-till and intertill systems produced more drymatter than plow at R-5. Maximum seed drymatter was produced with intertill and no-till in 1985, but in 1986 the plow system gave the highest seed production. Nutrient content in sunflower plants and seeds was similar between hybrids, weed control methods, and years. Nutrients in sunflower plants and seeds were similar among tillage systems even though lower nitrate-N and stratification of P and K in the soil was measured with reduced tillage. Results indicate that reduced tillage sunflower production with adequate weed control is similar to conventional plow systems and that early maturing hybrids produced yields comparable to late hybrids under these tillage and climatic conditions.

Contribution of the North Dakota Agric. Exp. Stn. Journal no. 1687.

Received for publication May 19, 1988.