OPTIMIZING SUNFLOWER (HELIANTHUS ANNUUS L.) PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY THROUGH INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR SOIL HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important edible oilseed crop, yet its average productivity in India (about 440 kg/ha) remains far below the global average (about 1,900 kg/ha). Continuous and exclusive use of chemical fertilizers has contributed to declining soil organic carbon, emerging secondary and micronutrient deficiencies and low nutrient-use efficiency. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), the combined use of inorganic fertilizers, organic manures and biofertilizers, offers a scientifically sound route to sustained productivity. This review synthesises Indian and international research on the principles and components of INM in sunflower and its effects on growth, yield attributes, seed yield, oil content and quality, soil health, cropping-system productivity, economics and environmental sustainability. Across the studies reviewed, the best INM combinations increased seed yield by 12–49% over the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) alone, raised oil content by 2–4.5 percentage points, improved soil organic carbon by about 20% and nearly doubled soil microbial biomass carbon, while raising the benefit:cost ratio from 2.00 to 2.41. Partial substitution (25–50%) of chemical fertilizers by organic and biological sources generally maintained or increased yield. Major constraints to adoption, research gaps and future prospects, including location-specific recommendations, precision nutrient management, next-generation microbial consortia and biofortification, are discussed.