Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 3
Written by Ciprian BUZNA, Marinel Nicolae HORABLAGA, Petru RAIN, Florin SALA

The optimization of crop technologies is a continuous necesity, driven by theintroduction of new genotypes, changing climatic and soil conditions, farm sustainability. The study analyzed the performance of 23 sunflower genotypes (G1 to G23), cultivated in three densities (Ad – 40,000 plt ha^-1; Bd – 60,000 plt ha^-1; Cd = 80,000 plt ha^-1). The field experiment was located in the specific conditions of the Western Plain of Romania, within the ARDS Lovrin, agricultural year 2023 – 2024. The mean yield value was Y_Ad= 2,006.71 kg ha^-1, (Ad plant density), Y_Bd=2,293.29 kg ha^-1, (Bd plant density) and Y_Cd= 2,298.39 kg ha^-1 (Cd plant density). A several-samples test confirmed significant differences between densities (Ad, Bd, Cd), and within each group (p = 0.00549). Dunn’s post hoc Test validated the differences between Ad and Bd, respectively Ad and Cd. In the Ad group seven genotypes presented values above the mean, with statistical safety, G6, G8 (p<0.05), G23 (p<0.01), and G15, G19, G20, G21 (p<0.001). In the Bd group, six genotypes performed above the group mean, G8 (p<0.05), G10 (p<0.01), G19, G20, G21, and G23 (p<0.001). In the Cd group seven genotypes performed above the group mean, G8 (p<0.05), G4, G9, G19, G20, G21, and G23 (p<0.001). According to Cluster and Ranking analysis, in relation to all three densities, the genotypes G21, G20, G19, G23, G8 and G6 were grouped in the upper quartile. In some genotypes performing at any density (e.g. G21, G20), small differences in yield between densities were recorded, so choosing the density with lower input costs of biological material, at equal performance, is recommended.

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