Effect of mulches and antitranspirants on the grain yield of sorghum grown under limited irrigations on a deep vertisol

Abstract

SUMMARYField experiments made for 2 years on a deep vertisol under semi-arid conditions showed that soil-surface evaporation control by mulching with rice straw or transpiration suppression by foliar application of kaolin or atrazine increased the yield of grain sorghum. These materials decreased soil moisture depletion and thus increased water-use efficiency. Application of one irrigation at the boot-leaf stage was beneficial. No additional advantage was noted with two irrigations, one given 45 days after seeding and the other at anthesis.

Effect of different weed management techniques on growth, susceptibility to wind damage and bunch yield of a plantain landrace (musa sp. Aab cv. Agbagba) in a derived savanna ecosystem of Nigeria

“…This result is in agreement with De et al (1983) who reported decreased soil moisture depletion and thus increased water use efficiency of rice straw mulch which led to increased yield of grain sorghum. The result also agrees with the findings of Obiefuna (1988) who reported heaviest bunches with the highest number of hands and marketable fingers with sawdust mulch.…”

Maize yield as affected by irrigation and evapotranspiration control treatments

“…For semi-arid environments, Agarwal & De (1979) have reported a water-use efficiency of 22 kg barley grain/ha/mm in mulched plots compared with 10 kg grain/ha/mm from unmulched plots. De et al (1983) reported a better soil moisture utilization by field-grown sorghum through mulching or by application of transpiration suppressants. The grain and straw…”