On-farm trials were conducted during 2001 and 2002 rainy seasons to evaluate the effects of nutrients and moisture conservation practices on the growth, yield and economics of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivars grown on vertisols of Raichur district, Karnataka, India, under rainfed condi tions. Two-year results revealed that the recommended method of moisture conservation along with the recommended fertilizer practice gave significantly higher seed yield (994 kg/ha), net returns (Rs.10503/ha) and cost-benefit ratio (2.62) than the conventional method of moisture conservation and fertilizer practices. Also, the former method surpassed the latter in plant height, head size, stem thickness and 1000-seed weight. The hybrid KBSH-44 showed significantly favorable responses with respect to growth and yield components. It gave higher yield (993 kg/ha), net returns (Rs.10222/ha) and cost-benefit ratio (2.84) than the hybrids KBSH-1 and MSFH-17 when grown on vertisols under rainfed conditions.