Sunflower Growth and Yield Responses to Variety Selection and Fertiliser Management in Semi-Arid Areas of Tanzania
Abstract
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important crop in semi-arid farming systems, yet its productivity remains low due to limited understanding of variety-specific responses to fertiliser management under local soil and climatic conditions. This study evaluated the effects of variety selection and fertiliser rate on growth and seed yield in Bahi and Mpwapwa districts, Tanzania, to identify optimal management strategies for smallholder systems. The study was conducted during the 2024/2025 cropping season. Three varieties (Records, Hysun 33, and a local type) were grown under five fertiliser regimes (unfertilized, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of 190 kg ha-1 organo-mineral compounds) in a randomised complete block design with four replications. Results showed that fertiliser application enhanced vegetative growth at Bahi, with plant height increasing from 54.7 cm in the control to 84.2 cm at 75%, and head diameter from 17.8 cm to 25.2 cm. Despite these improvements, seed yield differences were statistically non-significant (p = 0.203), ranging from 720.8 to 845.8 kg ha-1 across treatments. Varietal differences were observed only for stem diameter (p = 0.006), while yield remained comparable across varieties. The study reveals a research gap concerning how excess fertiliser application interacts with soil properties and rainfall patterns to influence sunflower yield in semi-arid systems. The results support the hypothesis that moderate fertiliser levels and appropriate variety choice can improve growth without causing nutrient imbalances or yield decline. Further research is needed to refine nutrient management strategies for different varieties under variable rainfall conditions.
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References
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