EFFECT OF CHARCOAL ROT (M. PHASEOLINA) ON YIELD OF SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS L.)

Abstract

The yield potential of forty six different advanced line/germplasm of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was investigated at College of Agriculture (COA), Sargodha under artificial stress of charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina). Head diameter (cm), number of achene per head and total yield (kg h^-1) of individual advanced line/germplasm of sunflower was further recorded. The yield potential of individual advance lines/germplasm of sunflower were given the priority as it is the ultimate demand of the farmers. The results revealed that the two advanced lines/ germplasm of sunflower HA-259 (2494.4 kg h^-1) and HA-65 (1857.6 kg h^-1) with highest yield potential were selected for induction of resistance and these advanced lines/germplasms also showed good result under the artificial inoculation condition with 2098.7 kg h^-1and 1827.2 kg h^-1respectively. The range of head diameter (cm) was recorded as 7.9 to 24.3 cm without artificial inoculation while it reduced up to 7.2 to 23.8 cm under stress condition of charcoal rot. Maximum 1120.66 number of achene per head was recorded in HA-259 while 17584 were exhibiting the minimum 620.77 without artificial inoculation. The head diameter, number of achene per head plays a significant role in the yield of sunflower. The selection of appropriate advanced line/germplasm with higher yield under charcoal rot stress condition would contribute for the yield improvement of sunflower