Effect of different sowing and weed control methods on the performance ofsunflower

Three sowing methods i.e. Ridge, Furrow and Flat and weed controlmethods i.e. Hand weeding, control, pre-emergence herbicide levels i.e. 1.25lit/ha, 2.5 lit/ha and 3.75 lit/ha were used. The experiments laid out in RCBdesign with split plot arrangement having four replications. The research dataindicated that different sowing and weed control methods showed nosignificant effected on seedling emergence/m2. Days to emergence wassignificant affected by weed control methods. Maximum number of days toemergence of sunflower was observed in 3.75 lit/ha of pre-emergenceherbicide. The interactions between sowing and weed control methods have nosignificant effect. Days to 50% flowering showed no significant effect ondifferent sowing and weed control methods. Weed population/m2 after 45 daysof emergence o f sunflower was significantly affected by weed control methodsand was not significantly affected by sowing methods. Fresh and dry weightof weeds/m2 after 45 days of emergence of sunflower was significantlyaffected by weed control methods. Maximum values was recorded in the controlplots, while minimum values was observed in plats where hand weeding wasdone. Days to maturity was not significantly affected by different sowing andweed control methods. Plant height was significantly affected by weed controlmethods and was not affected by sowing methods. Leaf area was significantlyaffected by weed control methods. Maximum leaf area was recorded in handweeded plots. Head diameter was significantly affected by different sowing andweed control methods. Weed population/m2 before harvesting was significantlyaffected by weed control methods and was not significantly affected by sowingmethods. Fresh and dry weight of weeds/m2 before harvesting wassignificantly affected by weed control methods. Maximum values was observedin plots treated with 1.25 lit/ha of pre-emergence herbicide (stomp). Number ofgrains/head of sunflower was significantly was affected by weed controlmethods and was not significantly affected by sowing methods. Number offilled grains/head was significantly affected by different sowing and weedcontrol methods. Maximum number of filled grains/head was noticed in ridgesown plots. Similarly maximum number of filled grains/head was observed inplots where hand weeding was done and minimum in those plots where noweeding was done. Number of Empty grains/head was significantly affected bydifferent sowing and weed control methods. Thousand grain weight wassignificantly affected by different sowing and weed control methods. Maximum1000 grains weight was noticed in plots noticed in plots sown on ridge method.Similarly maximum 1000 grains weight was noticed in plots where hand weedingwas done and minimum in those where no weeding was carried out. Maximumbiological yield was recorded in plots where hand weeding was done, whileminimum in the control plots. Significant increase was observed in oil yieldper hectare with different sowing and weed control methods. Grain yield kg/hawas also augmented significantly by different sowing and weed controlmethods. Maximum grain yield was recorded in ridge-sown plots while minimumwas recorded in furrow-sown plots. Similarly maximum grain yield wasobserved in hand weeded plots, while minimum was observed in the controlplots.