Effect of Different Levels of Nitrogen and Bio-Fertilizer on Fodder Sorghum under South Gujarat Condition

The present experiment was carried out at College farm, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari. During the year 2012 in summer season, to investigate the response of summer fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) GFS-5 to Nitrogen and Biofertilizer grown under South Gujarat condition. The experiment comprised five levels of Nitrogen and two levels of Bio-fertilizer (Azospirillium with and without) and replicated thrice in Factorial randomized block design (FRBD). Among the different levels of nitrogen (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha⁻¹), application of 160 kg N ha⁻¹ (N₅) found significantly higher the growth parameters (plant height at harvest, leaf: stem ratio, day to 50% flowering), yields (green fodder and dry fodder), quality (crude protein content). Application of Azospirillium 2 kg ha⁻¹ found significantly higher growth parameter (leaf: stem ratio) as compared to control, similar trend was found in green and dry fodder yields. Results reported that application of Azospirillium 2 kg ha⁻¹ treatments tried in experiment did not exert their significant effects on plant height at harvest, day to 50% flowering, crude fibre, crude protein and HCN contents.