Effect of row spacing, nitrogen and weed control on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy seasons of 1998 and 1999, at Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, to study the effect of row spacing, nitrogen and chemical/cultural weed - control practice on sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] production. Row spacing had no significant influence on growth parameters and nutrient uptake. The maximum grain yield was obtained with 60 cm row spacing (23.48 q/ha). There was no significant difference in yield due to 60 and 80 cm row spacing. Application of 80 kg N/ha significantly increased grain yield and total N uptake by crop and weeds; however total P uptake was significantly increased up to 120 kg N/ha. Atrazine @ 0.5 kg a.i./ha +1 hoeing at 35 days significantly increased yields, N and P uptake over atrazine alone.