K. Prabhakar, K. Venkataramanamma, B.V.P. Reddy , R. Narasimhulu, D. Satish Kumar,S. Neelima and N.C. Venkateswarlu
Abstract
Cluster FLDs were organized by AICRP on sunflower scheme, Regional Agricultural Research Station,Nandyal during three consecutive years of 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 in an area of 50 ha at 66 locations.At every demonstration site improved management practices viz improved sunflower hybrid with high oilcontent (Prabhath), thinning at 10 days after sowing boron spray @0.2% at ray floret stage and need basedplant protection measures were demonstrated against viz., farmerââ¬â¢s practice of sunflower cultivation. Thesunflower yields under demonstration practice higher than farmer practice in all the three years. Thepercentage increase over farmers practice was lowest 13.3% during 2020-21 and highest 25.6 during 2018-19 with an average increase of 20.7 per cent observed in demonstration practice. The average gross returnsof three years were Rs. 92477/- per hectare in demo practice which is 19.7 per cent higher than the farmerspractice (Rs. 72262/- per ha.). The net returns of Rs.65393/- per hectare was recorded under demonstrationpractice and it was 26.9 per cent higher than the farmer practice (Rs. 51528/- per ha.). The mean benefit costratio of three years of demonstration practice higher (1:3.2) than farmer practice (1:2.96).