Yield Potential and Yield Components of Rabi Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) as Influenced by Drip Irrigation

A field experiment was conducted during consecutive three rabi seasons (2009–10, 2010–11 and 2011–12) at Water Management Research Station, Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. Experiment had two main treatment of sorghum varieties as V1-SPV 1595 (Parbhani Jyoti) and V2-AKSV 18R (PKV Kranti) and five sub treatments of irrigation schedules such as I₁-drip at 100% ET_c, I₂-drip at 75% ET_c, I₃-drip at 100% ET_c during critical growth stages only, I₄-surface control at 0.8 IW/CPE and I₅-rainfed in statistical design FRBD with three replications. Gross plot size of 6.6 x 5.4 m and net plot size of 4.8 x 6.0 m for wide row (2.4 x 6.0 m) for pair row of 30 cm after 90 cm spacing. Three years pooled data of rabi sorghum revealed significantly highest grain yield (57.67 q/ha) in treatment I₁ irrigation schedule. The next best irrigation schedule was I₂ with 53.78 q/ha grain yield. Irrigation treatments I₁ and I₂ were at par for grain yield and significantly superior over I₃, I₄, & I₅. Among different sorghum cultivar, PKV Kranti has recorded better grain yield (41.85 q/ha) as compared to Parbhani Jyoti (38.44 q/ha). Among different genotypes of rabi sorghum, the grain yield of PKV Kranti was found better for all irrigation schedules. Maximum water use efficiency was recorded (21.37 kg/ha mm.) for irrigation schedule at 75% ET_c followed by irrigation schedule at 100% ET_c (18.07 kg/ha mm) in 2011–12 year.