Performance of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) varieties on a partially reclaimed sodic soil under different levels of nitrogen

Abstract

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] The highest yield (1,085 kglha) was real- is an important crop in Nimar tract of Mad- ized with 90 kg Nlha, while it was lowest hya Pradesh. The newly evolved varieties (464 kglha) under no nitrogen application. possess 80-90% yield potential of hybrids, Similarly, the maximum test weight was similar to hybrids in maturity and hence also was higher at 60 kg Nlha and 90 kg N/ hold great promise. These new genotypes ha. In general, application of increased N have been found to be tolerant to the sodic doses hastened the maturity, but it was sig- soil conditions to some extent up to ex- nificant only at 90 kg N/ha compared with :- changeable sodium of 30%. Hence a field the control. As regard the varieties there - experiment was conducted on a partially re- were no apparent differences in plant claimed sodic clay soil at the Soil Salinity height. SPV 346 and SPV 462 were Research Station, Barwaha (Madhya found identical in maturity (126 to 128 Pradesh) during rainy season (kharij) 1988 days) but earlier than SPV 475 (132 days), and 1989. The pH, ESP, ECe and CEC of while SPV 351 was at par with SPV 346. the soil was 8.7, 25, 2.0 dS1m and 48 ceqkg Varieties recorded significant differences in respectively. Treatments included 16 combi- test weight; SPV 346 recorded the highest nations of 4 varieties of sorghum (SPV test weight followed by SPV 3 5 1 and SPV 346, SPV 35lY, SPV 462 and SPV 475) 462. SPV 351 and SPV 462 were at par, - and 4 levels of nitrogen [O, 30, 60 and 90 while SPV 475 had the lowest test weight. - kg/ha (one-third basal + one-third at 30 The yieldplant of SPV 346 and SPV 35 1 days after sowing + one-third at 45 days af- was almost equal but significantly higher ter sowing)]. A randomized block design than that of SPV 462 and SPV 475, with 4 replications was adopted. The crop which were identical in test weight was planted on 1 side of the ridges, spaced (Table 1). at 45 cm. A basal application of 40 kg P,O, The varieties SPV 34.6 and SPV 462 + 40 kg &O + 20 kg ZnSO,/ha was given as recorded almost equal grain yield (890 kg/ band placement. The thinning was done at 15 ha) but significantly higher than SPV 3 5 1 days to maintain intra-row spacing of 15 and SPV 475. The latter 2 were at par in cm. yield. It clearly indicated that the varieties 3- Increasing levels of nitrogen application with higher test weight gave the higher significantly increased the average plant yieldlha. The stover yields differed signifi- height, grain yieldplant and grain yieldha. cantly and SPV 346 gave the highest sto- 0