Field Crops> Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)> Water Management

Sunflower is a crop of medium water requirement. Usually no irrigation is needed for Khanfcrop. However, one irrigation should be given in case of uneven distribution of rainfall. Pre-sowing irrigation is necessary for Rabi and Zaid crops to get uniform germination and better stand. Rabi crop may be irrigated thrice after 40, 75 and 110 days of sowing which will roughly coincide to four to five leaf stage, flowering and grain filling stages of the crop. Sunflower crop is highly sensitive to water stress between flowering and grain filling stages and atleast one of the irrigation must be applied during this period.

Irrigation requirement of sunflower during Zaid season is high. It requires four to eight irrigations at an interval of 10-15 days. Irrigation at grain filling stage should be given light and on a calm and windless evening to avoid lodging.