Evaluation of the Response of Sorghum to Tillage Systems and Nitrogen Fertilization

Abstract

In the subtropical semi-arid zones, sorghum Sorghum bicolor (L.) productivity is limited by numerous constraints. Relatively few studies have been conducted to measure the response of grain sorghum varieties to tillage and nitrogen. For sustainable crop production, selected tillage practice and fertilizer application are important. Field experiments were conducted at Al Qurna (QL), 74 km northwest Basrah province and Shatt al-Arab (SHL) and 17 km east Basrah province. A randomized complete block design, arranged in a split-split plot, was used with three replications. The tillage system was no tillage (NT), reduced tillage (RT), and conventional tillage (CT), while sorghum varieties were Inqadh, Rabih, and Cavire 2, and four levels of N fertilizer, viz., 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha−1. The objective of research was to evaluate two sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) varieties to tillage system and nitrogen (N) fertilizer. The application of tillage was shown to enhance the growth of sorghum as observed in the plant height, leaf area, number of grains panicle−1, 1000-grain weight, yield, biomass yield, and root dry matter. CT surpassed the other treatments for all studied traits. The highest value of plant height, number of grains panicle−1, grain yield, biomass yield, and root dry matter in the QL and SHL locations, respectively, were produced by Cavire 2. The plots fertilized with 120 kg N ha−1 maximize the values of plant height (132.33 cm in the SHL location), leaf area (3040.53 and 2751.47 cm2 in the QL and SHL location respectively), number of grains panicle−1 (1431.37 in the SHL location), 1000-grain weight (31.77 g in the QL location), biomass yield (15752.00 kg ha−1 in the SHL location), and root dry matter (22.42 and 20.75 g root cm−3 in the QL and SHL locations, respectively). Cavire 2 variety under CT with 80 kg N ha−1 in the QL location was the best (observed as the most promising) in terms of grain yield. Whereas Cavire 2 under CT showed best performance with 120 kg N ha−1 in the QL location in terms of biomass yield character.

Planting date and tillage effects on yield and nutrient uptake of two sorghum cultivars grown in sub-humid and semi-arid regions in South Africa

“…Nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient for sorghum production (Teshome et al, 2023). Tillage practices and cultivar selection can significantly affect short-term nitrogen use (Ramadhan and Mushin, 2021). In this study, conventionally tilled plots exhibited higher porosity and lower bulk density compared to NT plots.…”

Effect of mineral fertilizers on the formation of the structure indicators of grain sorghum yield capacity

“…It has been proved that biometric and yield structure indicators are influenced by different tillage practices, varieties and the level of mineral fertilizers [21].…”

Produtividade do sorgo forrageiro em função de doses de nitrogênio e manejo de cortes

“…Há relatos de incrementos na produtividade de grãos quando se empregaram doses de 120 kg N.ha -1 (Ramadhan et al, 2021) e 150 kg N.ha -1 (Abunyewa et al, 2017). Restelatto et al (2013) verificaram que, dependendo do ano agrícola, as plantas de sorgo para pastejo produziram mais massa seca quando adubadas com as doses de 264 (5,6 t.ha -1 ) e 288 kg.ha -1 (12,9 t.ha -1 ).…”