Effect of plant density on seed yield and harvest index of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in tarai belt of uttaranchal

摘要

India is one of the leading oilseed producing countrys in the world, contributing 21 percent of area and 15 percent of its production. The annual oilseed crops grown in 26 m. ha area are of paramount importance to Indian economy as these crops from the second largest agricultural commodities after cereals, sharing 13 percent of the country's grossed cropped area and accounts for nearly 5 percent of grossed national product and 10 percent of the value of all agricultural products (Reddy and Pati, 1998). In India, sunflower is 4th most important oilseed crop in area as well as production after groundnut, rape-mustard and soybean with 2.2 m. ha area, 1.5 m. t. production and 640 kg/ha productivity (USDA, 1997).