Influence of plant spacing, nutrient levels and foliar nutrition on growth, yield and quality of dual purpose sorghum K12 under rainfed condition

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Kovilpatti during rabi season (October 2017 to January 2018) to find out the suitable plant geometry, levels of fertilizers and foliar spray of micronutrients (Zn and Fe) at 15, 30 and 45 DAS to improve the growth and yield of sorghum variety K12 (dual purpose). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replication and twelve treatments. The treatment consists of two plant geometry, three different dose of fertilizer and foliar spray of micronutrients viz., 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.2% FeSO4 at 15, 30 and 45 DAS. Observation on growth parameters, grain yield, stover yield, fodder qualities and Rainfall use efficiency were recorded. The experimental results shows that reduced plant spacing of 30 × 15 cm together with enhanced application of 50:25:25 kg NPK ha -1 + foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.2% FeSO4 at 15, 30 and 45 DAS significantly increased the growth parameters viz., plant height, stem girth days to flowering and drymatter production. This attributes ultimately resulted in higher grain (3961 kg ha -1 ) and stover (13972 kg ha -1 ) yield of dual purpose sorghum compared to recommended practice of rainfed sorghum having 45 × 15 cm spacing and application of recommended 40:20:0 kg NPK ha -1 alone.

Effect of Different Nitrogen Sources on Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa)

“…Aasif et al [15] and Kafle et al [23] also reported higher crop yield in poultry manure treatments. Similar results were also observed by Almaz et al [24], Surve et al [17] and Bharathi et al [21].…”

“…number of tillers (m 2 ) and test weight (g) as well as higher nutrient uptake by the crop. This might be due to that the grain yield depends on the synthesis and accumulation of photosynthates and their distribution among various plant parts as well as the extent of translocation into sink (grains) and also on plant growth and development during early stages of crop growth which in turn depends on the availability of nutrients, [20,21]. The yield in the treatment T 2 was statistically at par with T 3 , T 7 and T 11 because of the combined application of manures and chemical fertilizer, there was an increase in availability of nutrients which provide higher amount of nutrients to the crop [22].…”