A comparison of the effect of magnetic drip irrigation and conventional irrigation with different salinity levels on the yield and yield components of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

To compare the effects of magnetic drip irrigation and conventional irrigation with different salinity levels on the yield and yield components of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), a factorial experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with two different magnetic (W1) and non-magnetic (W2) irrigation water treatments as the main factor and three other salinity irrigation treatments. The treatments were conducted in Ahvaz, Iran in 2017–2018. The results of the analysis of variance of different traits measured in the experiment showed that type W1 and W2 irrigation water had significantly different effects on stem height, stem diameter, head diameter, and leaf fresh mass (p < 0.05). Following the results obtained, it can be concluded that sunflower yield (4064 kg/ha) increased after irrigation with magnetic water. The results of the analysis of variance of different salinity irrigation treatments showed that different salinity levels of irrigation water (2.2 dS/m (S1), 4 dS/m (S2), and 6 dS/m (S3)) had significantly different effects on all parameters (p < 0.05). Salinity, moreover, reduced grain yield. The highest grain yield (4459 kg/ha) was observed in the control treatment (S1) and the lowest grain yield (3489 kg/ha) was gained in the S3 treatment. The effect of salinity levels in the S2 and S3 treatments reduced grain yield by 9.3% and 21.8%, respectively. The results of this study indicated that irrigation with saline water that has passed through a magnetic field can increase the yield and efficiency of irrigation water.