Effect of Plant Density on Growth and Yield of Three Sunflower Hybrids (Helianthus annuus L.) as a Second Crop

In order to study the effects of plant density on growth, yield and oil percentage of three sunflower hybrids (Azargol, Alistar, Eroflor) an experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Station of Myandoab in 2004. These hybrids were sown at four densities of 6, 8, 10 and 12 plants m-2 as factorial based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that dry matter accumulation (DM), crop growth rate (CGR) and relative growth rate (RGR) were increased with increasing plant density. By increment plant density, leaf area index (LAI) was slowly increased in early stages of growth but with beginning of plant rapid growth, increased dramatically. DM and CGR in Azargol and Eroflor were greater than Alistar. Analysis of variance showed that all traits were significantly affected by plant density. Yield per unit area, oil percentage and oil yield per unit area were increased, with increasing plant density. Although seed yield per plant at low densities was greater than that of high densities, but this increment was not enough for compensating the reduction of yield due to low density.