1Principal Scientist, Plant Physiology, Directorate of Sorghum Research, ICAR, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500 030, Andhra Pradesh, India
Department of Agronomy, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500 030, Andhra Pradesh, India
A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2008–09 season at Hyderabad to investigate the effect of nitrogen levels and planting geometry on sweet sorghum growth, stalk and grain yields. Application of nitrogen @ 90 kg/ha gave 49 and 13% higher biomass, respectively, over 30 and 60 kg N levels. Stalk yield increased by 13.4% at 90 kg N/ha (25.9 t/ha) over 30 kg (22.88 t/ha), but it was on par with 60 kg N (24.83 t/ha). Planting geometry of 30 x 15 cm (high plant density) recorded 106% more grain yield (3600 kg/ha) than 60 x 15 cm (1750 kg/ha), but it was on par with 45 x 15 cm. Application of 90 kg N produced 17.0% more grain yield than 30 kg N, but it was on par with 60 kg N. Inter-row spacing of 30 x 15 cm along with 90 kg N/ha produced 31.0% higher grain yield than at 30 x 15 cm with 60 kg N. Higher net returns (Rs. 34,068/ha) and B: C ratio (3.38) were recorded with 30 x 15 cm spacing and 90 kg N/ha.
Grain yield, Nitrogen levels, Planting geometry, Stalk yield, Sweet sorghum
