Effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and nutrient uptake in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) season of 2010 and 2011 at Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and nutrient uptake in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Two levels of farmyard manure (FYM) (0 and 10 tonnes/ha), four fertility levels based on soil test recommendation (0%, 50%, 75% and 100% NPK) and four biofertilizers (No inoculation, Azotobacter, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and dual inoculation of Azotobacter + PSB) were compared. Application of 10 tonnes FYM/ha significantly increased grain (27.7, 28.3%) and stover (11.3, 12.9%) yields during both the years and as well as nutrient content (NPK) and their uptake over the control. Significant enhancement in grain (26.8 and 28.5%) and stover (11.9 and 13.0%) yields were observed with the application Azotobacter + PSB over no inoculation. Application of 100% NPK increased grain (45.3 and 44.6%), stover (12.2 and 12.3%) yields and harvest index (22.9%) over the control. Improvement in N,P and K content and their uptake in grain (61.6, 15.3 and 22.0%) and stover (84.7, 29.9 and 243.2%) were also noticed with 100% NPK over control.