Response of Rabi Sorghum Varieties to Potassium Levels in Inceptisol under Dryland Condition

Application of potassium to sorghum varieties (M-35-1, Vasudha and Mauli) significantly increased the grain and stover yields, total potassium (K) uptake and soil available K content at harvest compared to check plots. Application of 25 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ recorded higher grain and stover yield and total K uptake, gross, net returns and B:C ratio. However, it was on par with 50 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ in terms of gross and net returns. Application of 50 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ recorded significantly higher soil available K at harvest. Among sorghum varieties, Vasudha recorded significantly highest grain and stover yield, total K uptake, net returns and B:C ratio. The K use efficiency (KUE) and moisture use efficiency (MUE) were maximum at 25 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ and further increase in K levels to 50 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ tended to decrease the efficiency. Among the sorghum varieties, M-35-1 recorded highest KUE whereas Vasudha exhibited highest MUE.