Influence of Seed Rates and Nitrogen Levels on Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Fodder Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

Abstract:

A field experiment was conducted at ZARS, V. C. Farm Mandya during rabi, 2016 to study the influence of seed rates and nitrogen levels on yield, nutrient uptake and economic of fodder sweet sorghum. The soil was sandy loam in structure and medium in available N, P and K. The experiment consisted of three seed rates (50, 40 and 30 kg ha-1) and three nitrogen levels (75 % RDN, 100 % RDN and 125 % RDN) laid out in factorial randomized complete block design with replicated thrice. Among the seed rate of 40 kg ha-1 recorded significantly higher mean green fodder yield (42.82 t ha-1), dry matter yield (6.18 t ha-1), nitrogen uptake at 30 DAS (70.11 kg ha-1), nitrogen uptake at harvest (87.22 kg ha-1). Similar trend was followed in gross returns (Rs. 38,538 ha-1), net returns (Rs. 18,838 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.95) as compared to other seed rate. With respect to nitrogen levels, application of 125 per cent of RDN recorded significantly higher mean green fodder yield (45.85 t ha-1), dry matter yield (6.64 t ha-1), nitrogen uptake at 30 DAS (82.10 kg ha-1), nitrogen uptake at harvest (101.45 kg ha-1), gross returns (Rs. 41,271 ha-1), net returns (Rs. 21,471 ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.12) as compared to other nitrogen levels.