Effect of BioNiK-Phos and Phosphorus-based fertilizers on yield of hybrid sunflower in Northern Uganda

Abstract

The sunflower oil seed industry is one of the promising business sectors in Uganda for both domestic and export markets. Both open-pollinated varieties and hybrids are grown in Uganda. Average yields of open-pollinated varieties in farmers’ fields range from about 750-900 kg ha-1 and hybrids about 2,000 kg/ha. For high production and productivity, sunflower requires fertilizers. The objective of this study was to establish the effects of BioNik-Phos and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizers micro-dosing on yield of sunflower hybrid (PAN 5057) in Northern Uganda in 2021b and 2022a seasons. Field experiments were laid using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replications per location in 3 locations in Alebtong District (Abako, Aloi and Angeta). There were significant (P < 0.05) differences in sunflower yields across treatments in all the three locations (Abako: 1,250-3,524 kg ha-1, Aloi: 1,274-3,488 kg ha-1 and Angeta: 1,238-3,369 kg ha-1) in 2021 with or without micro-dosing with BioNiK-Phos and DAP fertilizer. A similar trend was recorded for 2022a season (Abako: 1,268-3,500 kg ha-1, Aloi: 1,357-3,607 kg ha-1 and Angeta: 1,286-3,417 kg ha-1). The effect of DAP fertilizer micro-dosing on sunflower hybrid productivity was three folds in both years. BioNiK-Phos effect was, however, not significantly different (P < 0.05) from the control. This is the first report of the effect of BioNiK-Phos and DAP fertilizers micro-dosing of sunflower in Northern Uganda.