Effect of micronutrient fertilization and methods of application on yield and quality of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in sub-humid southern plains zone

A field experiment was conducted during two consequent years (kharif) of 2010 and 2011 to assess the effect of micronutrient fertilization and method of nutrient application on productivity, quality and economics of sorghum. The experiment consisted of 24 treatment combinations and replicated three times in split plot design with three methods of nutrient application (soil application, foliar spray and soil+foliar application) and eight micronutrient treatments: Control–(RDF-NPK), RDF+Fe, RDF+Zn, RDF+B, RDF+Fe+Zn, RDF+Fe+B, RDF+Zn+B and RDF+Fe+Zn+B. The results of the study showed that method of nutrient application through soil+foliar spray significantly increased grain (13.88 and 12.13%), stover (10.68 and 8.58%) and biological yield (11.33 and 9.31%) and chlorophyll content at 60 DAS (9.23 and 7.53%) with combined application of micronutrient (RDF+Fe+Zn+B) significantly increased grain, stover and biological yield (25.44, 15.52 and 17.45%) and chlorophyll content at 60 DAS (20.32%) and protein content (8.98%) in sorghum crop on pooled data basis over control.