Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield parameters of kharif Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH 2015,Science Huβ, http://www.scihub.org/ajsir ISSN: 2153-649X, doi:10.5251/ajsir.2015.6.5.90.96 Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield parameters of kharif Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Abdelmuniem Yousif Elamin 1 and K. Madhavi 2 National Research Center Khartoum Sudan P.O.Box 6096 2. Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 30 Part of Ph. D. thesis submitted by the first author to the Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, -30, India ABSTRACT The present investigation entitled Integrated nutrient management in kharif sorghum rabi chickpea cropping system carried out under field condition during 2012 and 2013 with kharif sorghum and rabi chickpea cropping system at ARI Main Farm, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. Experimental site was clay loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction, low in organic carbon as well as low available nitrogen, medium in the available phosphorus and high in available potassium. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three main treatments and three sub-treatments, replicated thrice. There are 9 treatments which included application of three different manures as a main treatments viz., Farm Yard Manure (FYM) Vermicompost, (VC) and Neem Seed Cake (NSC) and their combinations with 0%, 50% and 100% RDF as sub plot treatments. Manures were applied as the recommended doses @ 5 t ha -1 for FYM and 2.5 t ha -1 for VC and NSC. The data recorded for two years indicated that plant height, leaf area index (LAI), dry matter, Ear head length, ear head grain weight (g) and number of grain head, -1 1000- seed weight, and grain yield of kharif sorghum during both years was significantly increased as influenced by VC, NSC, FYM, 0%, 50%, 100% RDF and their interactions. The highest LAI was recorded at boot stage (60 DAS) in both years 2012 and 2013 for organic manures and inorganic nutrients. VC resulted in significantly higher LAI over FYM and NSC and 100% RDF over 0% and 50% RDF at 60 and 90 DAS, while it was not significant at 30 DAS and at harvest. INTRODUCTION Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is one of the main staple crops for the world's poorest and most food-insecure people. The crop is genetically suited to hot and dry agro ecologies where it is difficult to grow other food grains. Sorghum is truly a dualpurpose crop; where both grain and stover are highly valued outputs in large parts of the developing world (Ahmed et al., 2007). Belongs to the family Gramineae, including both wild and cultivated species, it is commonly known as jowar in India and is an important staple food for millions of people in semiarid tropics of Asia and Africa. India contributes to 19% of the total world area (44.53 million hectares) under sorghum with 11.44% of the total world production (62.49 million tonnes) during 2006-07. Sorghum is mainly cultivated for food, feed, fodder, and more recently for bio-fuel and sugar production. It is being considered as the second largest grain crop till the green revolution in India and presently occupies third place among the food in terms of acreage and production (Anonymous, 2010). Improving and maintaining soil quality for enhancing and sustaining agricultural production is of utmost importance for India s food and nutritional security though, India is a food surplus nation at present with about 231.5 million tonnes of food grain production per annum, it will require about 4-5 million tonnes of additional food grains each year, if the trend in rising population persists (Anonymous, 2010). Intensive crop rotation and imbalance fertilizer use have resulted in a wide range of nutrient deficiency in fields. For intensive cropping systems, the current recommended fertilizers rates need revision upwards with in balance ratio of vital micronutrients specific to crop to enhance stagnant yields (Tandon, 1995). Due to increasing population pressure, the demand for food, feed, fodder, fibre, fuel, pulses and oilseed products is rapidly increasing. To meet the future demand we would need better planning and resource management as well as intensification of crop

production. It is anticipated that in India in the year 2025, total food grain demand will reach 291 million tonnes comprising 109 million tonnes of rice, 91 million tonnes of wheat, 73 million tonnes of coarse grains and 15 million tonnes of pulses against the limitation of expansion of the cultivable land area (Kumar and Shivay, 2010). One of the alternatives to achieve this goal is to raise crop productivity through improved varieties and the matching production technology to sustain soil fertility and crop productivity in the future. Therefore, the present study was undertaken with a view to find out the influence of integrated nutrient management (INM) on growth and yield of kharif (rainy season) sorghum. MATERIALS AND METHODS The field experiment was conducted in black clay loam soil in kharif (rainy) and rabi seasons of 2012 and 2013 at the Main Farm of Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The farm is geographically situated at an altitude of 542.6 m above Mean Sea Level (MSL) at 18.5 North latitude and 77.5 East longitude. Experimental site was clay loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction (ph), low in organic carbon (O.C) as well as low available nitrogen, medium in the available phosphorus and high in available potassium. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three main treatments and three sub-treatments, replicated thrice. There are 9 treatments which included application of three different manures as a main treatments viz., Farm Yard Manure (FYM) Vermicompost, (VC) and Neem Seed Cake (NSC) and their combinations with 0%, 50% and 100% RDF as sub plot treatments. Manures were applied as the recommended doses @ 5 t ha - 1 for FYM and 2.5 t ha -1 for VC and NSC. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION In this chapter attempts were made to present the important findings of the two years field and laboratory experiments. Discussion on the implications of these results and possible reasons behind them has been attempted with the support of available scientific research findings to derive valid conclusions. EFFECTS OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON GROWTH, YIELD PARAMETERS AND YIELD OF KHARIF SORGHUM Growth parameters Plant height (cm): Data throughout the two years of experiments pertaining to the plant height of kharif sorghum hybrid (CSH16) at 30, 60, 90 DAS and at harvest as influenced by organic nutrient (FYM 5 t ha, -1 VC 2.5 t h -1 and NSC 2.5 t ha -1 ) as a main plot, chemical fertilizers 0%, 50% and 100% RDF as a sub plot and the interactions between the treatments were presented in Table 4.1. The data showed that plant height gradually increased with the advancement of crop age and reached the Table 4.1. Effect of integrated nutrient management on plant height (cm) of kharif sorghum Treatments details 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 Main plot (organic nutrient) FYM @ 5.0 t ha -1 57.0 59.3 139.5 172.0 184.6 202.9 191.6 207.6 VC @ 2.5 t ha -1 56.8 60.4 142.4 180.3 183.4 206.1 193.8 207.9 NSC @ 2.5 t ha -1 56.1 58.7 141.3 175.6 180.4 205.6 193.8 208.9 SEm+ 1.2 1.4 0.5 0.1 1.5 0.2 0.5 0.5 CD (0.05) NS NS 1.6 0.3 NS 0.5 1.5 NS CV% main plot 21.0 18.8 16.1 10.6 13.3 15.3 16.7 9.6 Subplot (chemical fertilizers) 0% RDF 56.3 57.0 135.5 167.5 181.2 202.0 187.2 205.1 50% RDF 56.5 59.9 142.1 178.8 182.7 205.5 193.1 207.7 100% RDF 57.0 61.4 144.6 181.7 184.1 207.2 195.4 211.2 SEm+ 2.2 1.6 0.7 0.9 1.3 0.8 0.6 0.6 C.D (0.05) NS NS 2.1 2.6 NS 2.3 1.8 1.6 C.V% sub plot 21.7 18.0 11.4 10.7 19 19.8 10.5 17.8 91

+0% = Zero RDF, +50%= +50% RDF and +100%= +100% RDF, NS= Not Sign. VC = Vermicompost, NSC= Neem Seed cake and FYM= Farm Yard Manure maximum height at maturity. The data recorded at intervals of 60 and 90 DAS for both years indicated that plant height was significantly increased as influenced by organic, inorganic and interaction of the treatments. The plant height is the main growth character that could be influenced to great extent by management practices. Similar results were reported by Hugar et al., (2010). The tallest plants were observed in organic manures registered in VC (206.13, 193.84 cm) and the lowest plant height (202.9, 191.6, 205.6 and 193.8 at 90 DAS for the two years, 2013 and 2012) respectively, was with application of Farm Yard Manure and neem cake. Mastiholi (1994) reported that application of vermicompost @ 1 to 2 t ha -1 with 25:25 kg NP per hectare recorded significantly higher plant height at all the growth stages of rabi sorghum. Plant height was significantly influenced by treatments (+0%, +50% and +100% RDF). The highest plant height (184.1 and 207.2 cm) was recorded with the application of 100% RDF along with organics at 90 DAS during 2012 and 2013 respectively, Mishra et al. (2010) recorded taller plants with RDF which were on par with INM through farm yard manure it might be due to the availability of nutrients at early crop growth stages and elongation of internodes of the sorghum stem. Similar results were reported by Meena and Mann (2007). Leaf Area Index (LAI): In the present investigation, highest LAI was recorded at boot leaf stage (60 DAS) in both years viz. 2012 and 2013. The ground area was more densely covered by crop canopy in 2013 than 2012 at all growth stages (Table 4.2). Among main plot treatments, VC resulted in significantly higher LAI over both FYM and NC at 60 and 90 DAS while it was non- significant at 30 DAS and at harvest due to sizes at 30 days and yellowing of the leaf at harvesting time. Stolyarenko et al. (1992) also reported that the application of vermicompost stimulated shoot growth in maize. The data on the fertilizer treatments revealed that application of +50% RDF and +100% RDF showed significant effect in LAI at 60 and 90 DAS but nonsignificant difference at 30 DAS and at harvest. The sole organically amended treatments registered lowest LAI at all growth stages, however combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers showed significant differences than only organic manures application and increased LAI was observed with increasing rate of fertilizers application. This was ascribed to imbalance in nutrient availability and crop demand during post vegetative stages under FYM and NSC alone. Patil (2007) observed increased leaf area index of kharif sorghum with the use of fertilizers in combination with FYM. The data on the interactions revealed that VC+50% and +100% RDF reported significant differences in LAI at 60 and 90 DAS but non-significant at 30 DAS and at harvest. Sole VC Table 4.2 Effect of integrated nutrient management on Leaf Area Index (LAI) of kharif sorghum Treatments details 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 Main plot (organic nutrient) FYM @ 5.0 t ha -1 2.5 3.3 3.2 3.5 3.0 3.8 2.1 2.7 VC @ 2.5 t ha -1 2.7 3.2 3.6 4.5 3.1 4.3 2.3 2.8 NSC @ 2.5 t ha -1 2.6 3.4 3.5 4.2 2.7 4.1 2.1 2.7 SEm+ 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 CD (0.05) NS NS 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.2 NS NS CV% main plot 8.9 20.6 14.7 11.9 15.7 14.8 16.4 13.5 Subplot (chemical fertilizers) 0% RDF 2.6 3.1 3.0 3.6 2.4 3.0 2.0 2.6 50% RDF 2.6 3.6 3.5 4.1 3.0 4.4 2.3 2.7 100% RDF 2.7 3.5 3.7 4.4 3.5 4.8 2.2 2.8 SEm+ 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 CD (0.05) NS NS 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 NS NS CV% sub plot 13.5 18.3 7.3 7.4 7.1 7.7 18.2 11.7 Interactions 92

2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 Treatments details FYM+0% 2.3 3.2 2.6 3.7 2.7 3.5 1.9 2.6 FYM+50% 2.7 3.0 3.4 4.3 3.3 4.5 2.4 2.7 FYM+100% 2.5 3.8 3.5 4.7 3.3 4.5 1.9 2.7 VC+0% 2.6 3.1 3.5 3.7 2.2 2.8 2 2.7 VC+50% 2.7 3.6 3.4 4.6 3.0 4.6 2.4 2.8 VC+100% 2.8 2.9 3.8 5.1 3.9 5.4 2.5 2.8 NSC+0% 2.5 2.9 3.0 3.3 2.3 2.9 2.1 2.6 NSC+50% 2.5 4.0 3.6 3.5 2.6 4.0 2.1 2.7 NSC+100% 2.7 3.8 3.8 3.6 3.3 4.5 2.2 2.7 SE.m+ sm at slm 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.1 C.D (0.05) Sm at slm NS NS 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.6 NS NS SE.m+ mm at sdls 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.3 0.1 C.D (0.05) mm at sdls NS NS 1.7 2.2 1.4 2.1 NS NS +0% = Zero RDF, +50%= +50% RDF and +100%= +100% RDF, NS= Not Sign. VC = Vermicompost, NSC= Neem Seed cake and FYM= Farm Yard Manure applied treatments registered lowest LAI at all growth stages, followed by NSC. However, integration of organics with fertilizers showed significant differences than sole one and also increase in LAI was observed with rate of fertilizers application. The results were in conformity with Patil (2007). Dry matter production (g plant -1 ): Total dry matter production followed a sigmoid relationship with time as initial lag phase (0-30 DAS), exponential phase (30 60 DAS), linear phase (60-90DAS), and phase of diminishing growth (90 DAS to harvest). The dry matter production of organic, inorganic treatments and their combinations during 2012, 2013 cropping season is presented in (Table 4.3). The data showed that the application of organic manure VC produced significantly more dry matter than NC and FYM application at 60 and 90 DAS in the two years of experiments respectively, However, the result showed non-significant differences at 30 DAS and harvest, this was possible due to better soil moisture availability to crop under organic fertilizers and could be attributed to significant increase in plant height, leaf area and leaf area index which resulted in increasing in photosynthesis and nutrients accumulation all through linear phase (60 90 DAS). During the two years among the organic manure treatments VC achieved the highest dry matter production 157.96, 157.18 g, it was followed by application of neem cake 152.0, 153.54 g respectively, and the highest dry matter production among the fertilizer treatments registered by application of organic +100% RDF 160.93, 157.56 g which followed by application of organic +50% RDF for the two years of experiments this could be due to the mineral N availability in the soil due to application of urea (Srinnivas et al., 2005). Higher accumulation of nutrient contents is attributable for significant increase in total dry mater (Ghosh et al. 2004) while Stephens et al. (1994) observed increased shoot and dry matter weight of wheat plants in presence of earth worms. Khan (1966) also reported that the growth of maize on loamy soil was better in plots applied with vermicompost than plots which received FYM. The interaction between treatments showed nonsignificant difference in dry matter production at 30 days and at harvest for the two years of experiment but resulted in a significant increase the dry matter production at 60 and 90 days at the same means and at the same level of means and same and different levels for the two years of the experiment 2012, 2013 respectively, the results could be due to the application of the inorganic fertilizer since it was ready and available for the crop in addition to the effect of the integrated nutrient management, the studies done by Sudhanshu (2013) tends to support the present finding. 93

Table 4.3 Effect of integrated nutrient management on dry matter weight (g plant -1 ) of Kharif sorghum Treatments details 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 2012 2013 Stover Seed Stover Seed Main plot (organic nutrient) FYM @ 5.0 t ha -1 10.9 11.2 53.8 54.7 150.2 150.0 100.5 54.5 113.7 54.9 VC @ 2.5 t ha -1 11.4 12.0 58.6 58.9 158.0 157.2 97.2 61.0 114.0 55.4 NSC @ 2.5 t ha -1 11.2 11.3 56.7 57.7 152.0 153.5 101.6 54.5 112.1 56.6 SEm+ 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.4 108 0.7 1.3 0.3 CD (0.05) NS NS 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.2 NS 2.1 NS 0.8 CV% main plot 12.0 11.3 13.8 16.0 15.4 8.9 15.6 11.7 17.5 12.4 Subplot (chemical fertilizers) 0% RDF 10.5 11.2 53.2 53.9 146.5 149.4 102.0 52.4 124.1 52.8 50% RDF 10.9 11.8 56.4 56.8 152.7 153.8 98.8 57.8 120.9 56.5 100% RDF 12.0 11.9 59.5 60.5 160.9 157.6 94.5 64.7 120.6 57.6 SEm+ 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.3 206 1.3 2.5 0.2 CD (0.05) NS NS 1.0 0.4 1.0 1.1 NS 4.1 NS 0.6 CV% sub plot 14.0 17.1 11.7 10.7 9.6 11.7 13.5 16.9 10.5 14.1 Interactions FYM+0% 9.8 10.8 51.7 52.0 148.5 146.2 100.7 52.1 126.2 52.5 FYM+50% 10.2 11.2 53.8 54.4 151.6 151.2 101.4 54.5 124.8 54.5 FYM+100% 11.4 11.5 56.0 57.8 154.5 152.7 101.1 56.8 125.0 56.8 VC+0% 10.8 11.6 54.5 55.9 150.2 152.1 102.3 52.9 126.7 53.9 VC+50% 11.0 12.0 58.3 58.1 155.9 157.2 94.9 62.9 125.9 56.3 VC+100% 12.6 12.7 62.9 62.7 160.8 162.3 100.3 61.3 126.1 57.0 NSC+0% 9.9 10.5 53.4 53.9 149.9 149.9 101.2 52.2 126.0 53.6 NSC+50% 11.5 12.0 57.1 58.1 150.7 153.0 99.9 56.1 124.9 55.8 NSC+100% 12.1 11.5 59.6 61.0 160.5 157.7 103.9 57.9 126.0 56.9 SE.m+ sm at slm 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.2 0.5 0.6 4.1 2.3 2.0 1.7 C.D (0.05) Sm at slm NS NS 1.7 0.8 1.6 1.8 NS 6.8 NS NS SE.m+ mm at sdls 1.1 1.8 2.0 1.0 2.0 2.4 5.4 0.1 2.6 1.9 C.D (0.05) mm at sdls NS NS NS 3.4 5.8 8.1 NS 0.4 NS NS +0% = Zero RDF, +50%= +50% RDF and +100%= +100% RDF, NS= Not Sign. VC = Vermicompost, NSC= Neem Seed cake and FYM= Farm Yard Manure Effect of integrated nutrient management on yield attributes of kharif sorghum Yield parameters Days to 50% flowering : Kharif sorghum hybrid CSH16 attained its 50% flowering at 65 DAS (mean of two years). The days to 50% flowering during the two seasons of experiment 2012 and 2013 were significantly influenced (Table 4.5) by application of organics (FYM 5 t ha -1,VC and NSC 2.5 t ha -1 ); however, the least period (65) was achieved by vermicompost which is significantly less when compared to neem seed cake and farm yard manure. The sub plot treatments (application of RDF at 0%, 50% and 100%) also showed significant difference. The least period of days to 50% flowering was recorded as 63 and 64 days for treatment (organics +100% RDF) which is significantly less than organics only and organics + 50% RDF followed by organics +50% RDF which is significantly less as compare to sole organic sources. It was also observed that days to 50% flowering decreased significantly with rate of application of RDF when integrated with organic sources, which could be due to the direct effect of the inorganic fertilizers as it was well known their role on the physiology of the plant and as sorghum is a nitropositive crop, adequacy of nitrogen during stages hastens flowering of the plant. Mishra et al. (2010) also observed earlier 50% flowering in sorghum due to fertilizer application. The interaction showed non-significant differences for the two years of the experiment with regard to days to 50% flowering. 94

Number of ear heads (m 2 ): Number of panicles m -2 was non-significantly influenced by main and sub plot treatments (Table 4.5). In two years all treatments gave the same number of panicles m 2 but a significant differences were noted in panicle length, number of seed per panicle and test weight which could be due to improve in the growth parameters. Ear head length (cm): Panicle length was significantly influenced organic nutrient (FYM, VC and NC) and in combination with chemical fertilizers N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O at 0%, 50% and 100% RDF. The data on panicle length have been presented in Table 4.5. The data indicated that highest panicle length (37.57 cm) recorded at physiological maturity at 2013 with application of organic nutrients+100% and VC 2.5 t ha -1 (38.06). The lowest panicle length was recorded with application of organics + 0% (27.93cm) during 2012. Nutrients and nutrient management may result in high photosynthetic rate, net assimilation rate and continuous metabolic reactions up to physiological maturity stage which attributed to increase in the length of panicle. Similar results were reported by Hugar et al., (2010) in sweet sorghum. Application of VC and NC showed that significant increase in panicle length with compared to FYM whereas significant difference was not observed between VC and NC application in two years 2012, 2013 respectively. This may be due to the fact that VC retains nutrients for long time and while the conventional manures fail to deliver the required amount of macro and micronutrients including the vital nutrients (NKP) to plants in shorter time, the vermicompost could deliver nutrients (Hsammermeister et al., 2004). The interaction between the treatments was found non-significant in panicle length but in general, the panicle length increased progressively with increasing fertilizer level. Similar results were also recorded in the sub plot treatments in which application of 100% and 50% NPK significantly over 0% NPK and 100% found to be also significant to 50% NPK. Elfstrand et al. (2007) proved that the incorporated use of organic sources of nutrients not only supply essential nutrients but also has some positive interaction with chemical fertilizers to increase their efficiency. Ear head grain weight (g): Results of two years experimental data analysis pertaining to panicle grain weight (g) of kharif sorghum (CSH 16) (Table 4.5) significantly influenced by organic manure in the main plot within which VC reported the highest grain weight (35.6 g) 2013 and 33.32 in 2012 significantly over NC and FYM while NC was also found to be significant to FYM. The data showed that application of organic sources +100% and +50% RDF recorded significantly higher panicle grain weight (g) than sole (organic sources +0%). Application of organic sources with +100% RDF also showed significantly higher panicle grain weight than +50% RDF. Sharma (1981) reported that application of FYM @ 12 t ha -1 in conjunction with NPK fertilizers increased the growth and yield components like panicle length, number of grains per panicle and test weight of paddy significantly over the treatment receiving only inorganic fertilizers. No significant interaction between the treatments with respect to panicle grain weight was observed during the tow years of experiment. Number of grain ear head -1 : Number of grains per panicle differed significantly (P 0.05) among the different organic treatments (FYM, VC and NC). But application of VC reported significant highest number of grain per panicle (1235, 1223) followed by NC (1218, 1165) and FYM (1161, 1223) during 2012, 2013, respectively and application of NC showed significant increase when compared to farm yard manure (Table 4.5). The data with application of organic sources +100% and +50% RDF showed significantly higher number of grain per panicle than control (organic sources +0%). The application of +100% RDF also showed that significantly higher number of grain per panicle than +50% RDF. Sharma (1981) reported that application of FYM @ 12 t ha -1 in conjunction with NPK fertilizers increased the growth and yield components like panicle length, number of grains per panicle and test weight of paddy significantly over the treatment receiving only inorganic fertilizers. The interaction between the treatments found to be non-significant in number of grain per panicle. 95

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