Growth compensation of dwarf sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids to low initial stands, later stand losses, or plant defoliation has not been reported regarding replanting decisions and crop insurance yield loss assessment. Three experiments were conducted to study the affect of stand reduction, defoliation, and row spacing on dwarf sunflower yield and quality when grown in eastern North Dakota. Experiment 1 evaluated stand reduction (0, 25, 50 and 75%) applied at growth stages (V4, R1 and R6) in 15, 45 and 76 cm spaced rows. Row spacing interactions with stand reduction and growth stage were not significant for yield indicating growth stage and stand reduction effects on yield response were independent of row spacing. In exp. 2, significant growth stage (V4, V8, R1, R2, R3, R5 and R6) by stand reduction (0, 12, 25, 37, 50, 62 and 75%) interaction showed stand reduction at vegetative growth stages not influencing yield, but as maturity progressed yield reductions became greater with increased stand reduction. Achene weight increased with increasing stand reduction at vegetative and early reproductive stages. A reciprocal relationship was noted between achene weight and achene oil content where oil content decreased as achene weight increased. Interaction of growth stage (R1 and R6) and defoliation (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) in exp. 3 indicated greater reduction in yield, test weight, 1000-achene weight, and achene oil conte nt as defoliatin increased at growth stage R6. Yield compensating ability of dwarf sunflower is dependent on type and level of damage and growth stage of occurrence, with total yield reduction considering all effects. Key words: Sunflower, Helianthus annuus L., row spacing, stand reduction, defoliation
Determination of Growth Stage-Specific Crop Coefficients (Kc) of Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) under Salt Stress
