Yield Potential and Yield Components of Rabi Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) as Influenced by Drip Irrigation

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during consecutive three rabi seasons (2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12) at Water Management Research Station, Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. Experiment had two main treatment of sorghum varieties as V1-SPV 1595 (Parbhani Jyoti) and V2-AKSV 18R (PKV Kranti) and five sub treatments of irrigation schedules such as I 1-drip at 100% ET c , I 2-drip at 75% ET c , I 3-drip at 100% ET c during critical growth stages only, I 4-surface control at 0.8 IW/CPE and I 5-rainfed in statistical design FRBD with three replications. Gross plot size of 6.6 x 5.4 m and net plot size of 4.8 x 6.0 m for wide row (2.4 x 6.0 m) for pair row of 30 cm after 90 cm spacing. Three years pooled data of rabi sorghum revealed significantly highest grain yield (57.67 q/ha) in treatment I 1 irrigation schedule. The next best irrigation schedule was I 2 with 53.78 q/ha grain yield. Irrigation treatments I 1 and I 2 were at par for grain yield and significantly superior over I 3 , I 4 , & I 5. Among different sorghum cultivar, PKV Kranti has recorded better grain yield (41.85 q/ha) as compared to Parbhani Jyoti (38.44 q/ha). Among different genotypes of rabi sorghum, the grain yield of PKV Kranti was found better for all irrigation schedules. Maximum water use efficiency was recorded (21.37 kg/ha mm.) for irrigation schedule at 75% ET c followed by irrigation schedule at 100% ET c (18.07 kg/ha mm) in 2011-12 year.