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INDIAN JOURNAL OF SOIL CONSERVATION Vol. 39, No., pp 50-58, 20 Est d. 972 Indian Journal of Soil Conservation Online URL:http://indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:ijsc&type=home Estd. 972 INDIAN ASSOCIATION OF SOIL & WATER CONSERVATIONISTS 28, KAULAGARH ROAD, DEHRADUN - 248 95 UTTARAKHAND, INDIA Growth and yield of winter sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) as influenced by rainwater conservation practices, organic materials and nitrogen application in Vertisols of SemiArid Tropical India S.L. Patil*, M.N. Sheelavantar** and K.C. Shashidhar*** *Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Centre, Bellary - 583 04, Karnataka, India, **University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore - 560 065, Karnataka, India,***College of Agriculture, Shivamoga, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore - 560 065, Karnataka, India Article history : Received : October 200 Revised : January 20 Accepted : April 20 ARTICLE INFO Key words : Dry matter production Leaf area Nitrogen Winter sorghum. ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted in Vertisols of Bijapur during winter seasons of 99495 and 99596 to study the effect of rainwater conservation practices, organic materials and nitrogen application on crop growth yield of winter sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.). produced greater leaf area over flat bed at 30, 60, 90 days after sowing and at harvest. At harvest, dry matter production per plant and grain yield increased significantly by 23% (78.06 g plant and 567 kg ha, respectively) with compartmental bunding and 26% (79.84 g plant and 603 kg ha, respectively) with ridges and furrows over flat bed (63.44 g plant and 276 kg ha, respectively). Among the organic materials, application of Leucaena loppings at 2.5 Mg ha was superior to farmyard manure at 2.5 Mg ha and vermicompost at.0 Mg ha, respectively in dry matter production per plant and its accumulation in leaf, stem and ear at all the stages of crop growth. Greater leaf area per plant was produced with application of Leucaena loppings over farmyard manure and vermicompost at all stages of crop growth. At harvest, application of Leucaena loppings significantly increased the dry matter production per plant by 9% (76.37 g plant) and grain yield by 2% (570 kg ha) over vermicompost. Application of 25 and 50 kg N ha produced significantly more leaf area per plant at 60, 90 days after sowing and at harvest. Increase in N application up to 50 kg ha increased the dry matter production and grain yield significantly over 25 kg N ha and control. Application of 25 and 50 kg N ha produced significantly higher dry matter per plant at harvest by 8% and 28% (75.52 and 8.85 g plant, respectively) and grain yield by 20% and 3% (522 and 655 kg ha,respectively) over control. INTRODUCTION In the SemiArid Tropics with mean annual rainfall of <750 mm, plant growth depends on soil water component especially during drought years and in the regions where the crops are cultivated on residual soil water during winter season. Conservation of rainwater in arable and nonarable lands at both terrace and interterrace levels plays a major role in reducing soil and water erosion. In India, nearly 6000 million Mg of top fertile soil (6.35 Mg ha) is lost through erosion every year, resulting in severe soil degradation apart from reduced storage capacities of reservoirs thereby adversely affecting power generation, shortage of which is felt during recent times in India. The Vertisols in India occupy 73.0 Mha and the soil loss has been estimated to be 23.7 to 2.5 Mg per ha every year, with agriculture as the main land use. Adopting suitable rainwater conservation practices reduces the soil and water erosion in these Vertisols and increases the water availability to crops. This ultimately reduces water and nutrient losses, improves the

2. crop growth and stabilizes/sustains the crop yields in the long run, especially during drought years (Sen, 2003). The Vertisols in the SemiArid Tropics of South India in general and Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka (Zone 3) in particular, are low in available nutrients. Low nutrient availability limits the crop growth in these Vertisols (Vyas et al., 2003). There is a little available N, the availability of P is very moderate due to strong P fixation, and the same applies to available K even though total K is high (Tolanur and Badnur, 2003). Recent escalation in the prices of raw materials and energy for fertilizer production has greatly affected the increased use of fertilizers by the farmer; especially under dryland farming and has resulted in persistent nutrient depletion from these Vertisols, posing a further threat to sustainable agriculture. Organic manures (crop residues and twigs of trees), composts and biofertilizers improve the soil physical, chemical and biological properties, and in addition improve the efficient use of applied fertilizers (Durgude et al., 996). In recent times, recycling of organic manures is one of the most important aspects of environmentally sound and sustainable agriculture. Returning residues to soil is vital for maintaining soil organic matter, which in turn improves the soil structure, soil and water conservation and soil microbial and fauna activity. Adoption of appropriate rainwater conservation practices with judicious combination of chemical fertilizers, organic manures and biofertilizers, improves soil properties and increases the use efficiency of applied fertilizers with improved crop growth and increased crop yields on sustainable basis. In light of the above situation, present experiment was conducted to study the effect of rainwater conservation practices, organic materials, and nitrogen application on plant growth, dry matter production and grain yield of winter sorghum in Vertisols of Semi-Arid Tropics of South India. S.L. Patil et al. /Ind.J.Soil Cons. 39() : 50-58, 20 MATERIALS AND METHODS Soil Characteristics and Experimental Lay out A field study was conducted during winter seasons of 99495 and 99596 on Vertisol lands having.0 % slope at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bijapur (6o 49' N, 75o 42' E), at an altitude of 593.8 m above mean sea level and situated in the Northern Dry Zone of Karnataka State, India receiving a mean annual (939994) rainfall of 650 mm distributed over 54 rainy days. The total rainfall of 585.8 and 629.4 mm distributed over 36 and 47 rainy days with higher mean monthly rainfall of 339.5 mm (October) and 238.4 mm (September) was received during 99495 and 99596, respectively. The Vertisols at the experimental site are having 24.8% sand, 4.9% silt and 60.3% clay. The soils 5 of experimental site were alkaline in reaction (ph 8.5) with E.C. 0.27 ds m and are low in organic carbon (3.6 kg m3), available N (28 kg ha) and available P (2.3 kg ha) and medium in available K (434 kg ha). The experiment was laid out in a splitsplit plot design with three replications. Each smallest subsub plot measured 5.4 m 6.0 m = 32.4 m2. Compartmental bunds of 3 m 3 m size and ridges and furrows at 0.60 m were formed manually and bullock drawn ridger, respectively. Leucaena loppings (Leucaena leucocephala Lam.) at 2.5 Mg ha and farmyard manure at 2.5 Mg ha were applied and were covered manually while vermicompost was applied at.0 Mg ha at sowing in sub plots. Nitrogen fertilizer in the subsub plot (at 0, 25 and 50 kg ha) was applied through urea as per the treatments along with recommended uniform rate of phosphorus (25 kg ha) as single super phosphate to all the plots at sowing. Data Collection Maladandi 'M35', a postrainy season sorghum (Sorghum bicolar (L.) Moench) cultivar was sown at a depth of 5 cm at 5 cm apart in rows of 60 cm and harvested on 4 February 995 and 24 January 996, respectively. Five randomly selected plants from the second rowleaving border two rows on each side of the plot were used for observations on growth at four crop growth stages (30, 60, 90 days after sowing and at harvest). Length of fully opened leaf lamina was measured from the leaf base to the tip. Leaf breadth was recorded at the widest point of lamina. The product of leaf length and breadth was multiplied by a factor 0.747 and was expressed as leaf area in dm2 per plant. Observations on dry matter production and its distribution in leaves, stem and ear were recorded after sun drying and oven drying the plant samples at 60oC in hot air oven. Weeds were controlled manually. Grain and straw yield from experimental plots was harvested, sundried and weighed. The harvest index was calculated as the ratio of economic yield to the total biological yield. Soil samples from 00.5, 0.50.30, 0.300.60 m depths in each treatment were collected at sowing, 60 days after sowing (DAS) and at harvest with the help of screw auger during 994-95 and 995-96 for soil water determination on oven dry basis. Soil water on volume basis was summed up from the three depths. Statistical Analysis The data were analyzed using a computerized statistical MSTATC package. Probabilities less than 0.05 were considered significant. When analysis of variance indicated significant difference, the LSD test was used to separate the treatment means (rainwater conservation practices, organic materials and nitrogen application), and for comparing across them. All significant main effects besides interactions were considered.

52 S.L. Patil et al. /Ind.J.Soil Cons. 39() : 50-58, 20 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Rainwater Conservation Practices The results of the pooled data for all the growth components and for grain and straw yields and harvest index during 99495, 99596 and pooled data are discussed below. Adoption of rainwater conservation practices i.e. compartmental bunding and ridges and furrows conserved more water and nutrients over flat bed and produced higher dry matter per plant at 30, 60, 90 DAS and at harvest. Dry matter production per plant and its distribution in leaf and stem and ear increased significantly (P <0.05) with rainwater conservation practices over flat bed (Tables and 2). Ridges and furrows recorded slightly higher dry matter production per plant at all the crop growth stages compared to compartmental bunding. At harvest, dry matter production of 78.06 g plant with compartmental bunding and 79.84 g plant with ridges and furrows was more by 23% and 26%, respectively, compared to 63.44 g plant in flat bed. Trend was same at 30, 60 and 90 DAS (Table ). Higher soil water and nutrient availability at different stages of crop growth with better root development might have resulted in higher nutrient uptake with greater dry matter production per plant with adoption of rainwater conservation practices (Table 5) (Patil, 998). In the Alfisols of Hanamanamatti, Karnataka State, India, with higher dry matter production was observed in medium tillage with ridging over shallow tillage and flat sowing in foxtail millet (Basavarajappa et al., 2003). Higher dry matter production per plant was attributed to higher dry matter accumulation in leaves and stem during vegetative and reproductive crop growth stages and its translocation to ear during reproductive stages of crop growth with rainwater conservation practices compared to flat bed (Table 2). At harvest, dry matter accumulation in leaf (8.05 g plant and 7.98 g plant with compartmental bunding and ridges and furrows, respectively) increased significantly by 8% and 7% compared to flat bed (6.83 g plant ). Higher dry matter production in leaf with rainwater conservation practices was attributed to greater leaf area (Table 3). Dry matter accumulation in stem increased significantly by 22% and 27% with compartmental bunding (28.6 g plant ) and ridges and furrows (29.86 plant ), Table : Dry matter production of winter sorghum at 30, 60, 90 days after sowing (DAS) and harvest as influenced by rainwater conservation practices, organic materials and nitrogen application (Average of 994 95 and 995 96) Treatment Dry matter production (g plant ) 30 DAS 60 DAS 90 DAS Harvest Flat bed.52 25.08 45.9 63.44 Compartmental bunding.69 30.67 56.92 78.06 Ridges and furrows.72 32. 57.34 79.84 S.Em.± 0.03 0.55.39.23 CD (P=0.05) 0.0.78 4.52 3.40 Farmyard manure at 2.5 t ha.67 29.37 53.8 74.66 Vermicompost at.0 t ha.56 28.35 5.43 70.32 Leucaena loppings at 2.5 t ha.69 30.5 55.56 76.37 S.Em.± 0.08 0.52.05.80 CD (P=0.05) n.s..52 3.06 5.27 Nitrogen application (kg ha ) 0.48 23.88 45.0 63.98 25.7 30.80 55.62 75.52 50.74 33.9 59.44 8.85 S.Em.± 0.05 0.42.08.48 CD (P=0.05) 0.4.6 3.00 4. Interactions For comparing means of S.Em+ CD S.Em+ CD S.Em+ CD S.Em+ CD (P=0.05) (P=0.05) (P=0.05) (P=0.05) N at same RCP 0.09 n.s. 0.72 2.0.87 n.s. 2.57 n.s. RCP at same/different N 0.08 n.s. 0.8 2.23 2.06 n.s. 2.43 n.s.

S.L. Patil et al. /Ind.J.Soil Cons. 39() : 50-58, 20 53 Table : 2 Biomass leaf, stem and ear at different growth stages of winter sorghum as influenced by rainwater conservation practices, organic materials and nitrogen application (Average of 994 95 and 995 96) Treatment Leaf mass (g plant ) Stem mass (g plant ) Ear mass (g plant ) 60 DAS 90 DAS Harvest 60 DAS 90 DAS Harvest 60 DAS 90 DAS Harvest Rainwater conservation measures Flat bed 6.99 7.46 6.83 2.6 25.04 23.47 5.49 3.39 33.5 Compartmental bunding 8.94 9.78 8.05 4.78 30.45 28.6 6.96 6.69 4.4 Ridges and furrows 9.9 0.03 7.98 5.72 30.58 29.86 7.2 6.73 42.0 CD (P=0.05) 0.58 0.65 0.44.25 3.09.37 0.32.28 3.7 Farmyard manure at 2.5 t ha 8.30 9.27 7.53 4.63 28.45 27.8 6.44 5.43 39.32 Vermicompost at.0 t ha 8.8 8.78 7.47 3.69 27.63 25.78 6.48 5.02 37.06 Leucaena loppings at 2.5 t ha 8.63 9.2 7.85 4.79 29.99 28.34 6.73 6.35 40.9 CD (P=0.05) 0.45 n.s. n.s. 0.90 2.2 2.46 n.s. n.s. 3.0 Nitrogen rates (kg ha ) 0 6.9 7.783 6.60.49 24.28 23.48 5.47 3.04 33.9 25 8.79 9.509 7.77 5.9 29.75 27.95 6.82 6.33 39.8 50 9.4 9.968 8.49 6.43 32.04 30.52 7.36 7.43 42.86 CD (P=0.05) 0.39 0.57 0.50 0.78 2.05.72 0.46 0.84 2.64 For comparing meansof (CD at 0.05) N at same RCP 0.68 n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. N at same O n.s. n.s. 0.87 n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. N at same RCP and O n.s. n.s..50 n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. O at same/different N n.s. n.s..6 n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. O at same RCP and N n.s. n.s..9 n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. RCP at same/different N 0.74 n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. RCP at same O and N n.s. n.s..76 n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. n.s. Note: RCP =, O=, N=Nitrogen application, DAS= Days after sowing, n.s.=non significant. respectively compared to flat bed (23.47 g plant ). This trend of higher dry matter accumulation in leaf and stem was also observed at 60 and 90 DAS with rainwater conservation practices (Table 2). Compartmental bunding and ridges and furrows increased the dry matter in ear at harvest significantly by 25% (4.4 g plant ) and 27% (42. 0 g plant ), respectively over flat bed (33.5 g plant ). Dry matter in ear at 60 and 90 DAS followed the trend similar to that at harvest (Table 2). Greater dry matter accumulation in ear at harvest in plots laid out with rainwater conservation practices was attributed to greater soil water availability in soil profile with higher sink capacity as indicated by bigger ear size with more dry matter accumulation in ear and grains per ear (Tables 2 and 5). This was attributed to higher uptake of nutrients by ear at the reproductive stage (Patil, 998). Production of more green leaves per plant with rainwater conservation practices resulted in significantly higher leaf 2 area (4.77 dm plant ) in compartmental bunded plots and 2 ridges and furrows laid out plots (4.90 dm plant ) and was 2 8% and 9% more compared to flat bed (2.54 dm plant ) at 60 DAS (Table 3). Increased leaf area per plant with rainwater conservation practices was attributed to increased soil water and nutrient availability that might have resulted in increased N and P uptake (Table 5) (Patil, 998). Significant and positive correlation was observed between leaf area and grain yield at 90 DAS (r = 0.7) and at harvest (r = 0.59). Plots laid out with rainwater conservation practices resulted in higher dry matter production and its distribution in leaf, stem and ear that might have resulted in higher grain and straw yield over control. Two year average grain yield of 567 kg ha and 603 kg ha with compartmental bunding and ridges and furrows was 23% and 26% higher and significant over 276 kg ha with flat bed (Table 4). In Alfisols at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, significant increase in sorghum grain yield was observed in ridge and furrow conservation practice over control (Sanjeeva Reddy et al., 2009). Similar trend in grain yield was observed with rainwater conservation practices with higher magnitude of increase in yield during 994-95 as compared to 995-96. Occurrence of drought, especially at the reproductive stage of crop growth and more water conservation with rainwater conservation practices over flat bed resulted in greater magnitude of yield increase in winter sorghum during

54 S.L. Patil et al. /Ind.J.Soil Cons. 39() : 50-58, 20 Table : 3 Leaf area of winter sorghum at 30, 60, 90 days after sowing and harvest as influenced by rainwater conservation practices, organic materials and nitrogen application (Average of 994 95 and 995 96) 2 Treatment Leaf area (dm plant ) 30 DAS 60 DAS 90 DAS Havest Flat bed 2.92 2.55.74 5.27 Compartmental bunding 3.07 4.77 4. 6.62 Ridges and furrows 3.09 4.90 4.36 6.72 S.Em.± 0.0 0.38 0.9 0.28 CD (P=0.05) n.s..23 0.6 0.9 Farmyard manure at 2.5 t ha 3.02 4.36 3.33 6.7 Vermicompost at.0 t ha 2.95 3.66 3.05 6.02 Leucaena loppings at 2.5 t ha 3.0 4.9 3.82 6.52 S.Em.± 0. 0.29 0.20 0.23 CD (P=0.05) n.s. n.s. 0.58 n.s. Nitrogen application (kg ha ) 0 2.80 2.53.66 5.24 25 3.07 4. 4.00 6.9 50 3.20 5.57 4.54 7.7 S.Em.± 0.07 0.23 0.5 0.2 CD (P=0.05) 0.2 0.66 0.44 0.59 Interactions For comparing means of (CD at 0.05) N at same RCP n.s..3 0.75 n.s. N at same O n.s..3 0.75 n.s. N at same RCP & O n.s. n.s..30 n.s. O at same/different N n.s..20 0.82 n.s. O at same RCP & N n.s. n.s..42 n.s. RCP at same/different N n.s..40 0.79 n.s. RCP at same O & N n.s. n.s..42 n.s. Note: RCP=, N=Nitrogen application, DAS= Days after sowing, n.s.=non significant. 994-95. Harvest index increased marginally with adoption of rainwater conservation practices over flat bed (Table 4). Higher dry matter accumulation in leaves and stem resulted in significantly more straw yield in compartmental bunding (.92 t ha ) and ridges and furrows (.95 t ha ) over flat bed (.57 t ha ) (Table 4). In loamy soils at Pali, Rajasthan, India, sorghum yield during rainy season increased with field bunding and inter paired row water harvesting over control (Kumar et al., 2008 and Rao, et al., 200). Organic Materials Dry matter production per plant differed significantly with application of different organic materials at 60, 90 DAS and at harvest (Table ). At harvest, application of Leucaena - loppings increased the dry matter production (76.37 g plant ) significantly by 9% compared to 70.32 g plant with vermicompost. Leucaena application compared to farmyard manure (74.66 g plant ) produced slightly more dry matter per plant (Table 2). Higher dry matter production and its translocation to ear with Leucaena application was attributed to greater leaf area per plant at 30, 60 and 90 DAS and at harvest and higher dry matter translocation from leaf and stem to ear at 60 DAS and at harvest (Tables 2 and 3). Dry matter production at 30, 60, 90 DAS and at harvest and its distribution in leaf, stem and ear at harvest increased significantly with application of either farmyard manure at 8 Mg ha or vermicompost at 2 Mg ha over control in maize in Vertisols at Raichur, Karnataka State, India (Jayaprakash et 2 2 al., 2004). Leaf area of 4.9 dm plant and 3.82 dm plant was observed with Leucaena application and was higher 2 2 compared to 3.66 dm plant and 3.05 dm plant with vermicompost at 60 and 90 DAS, respectively (Table 3). Better plant growth with higher dry matter production in leaves, stem and its translocation to ear after flowering resulted in greater grain and straw yield with Leucaena loppings over farmyard manure and vermicompost

S.L. Patil et al. /Ind.J.Soil Cons. 39() : 50-58, 20 55 Table : 4 Grain yield, straw yield and harvest index of winter sorghum as influenced by rainwater conservation practices, organic materials and nitrogen application (Average of 994 95 and 995 96) Treatment Grain yield (kg ha ) Straw yield (t ha ) Harvest index 994 95 995 96 Pooled 994 95 995 96 Pooled 994 95 995 96 Pooled Flat bed 238 34 276.50.64.57 0.450 0.446 0.448 Compartmental bunding 570 563 567.86.99.92 0.458 0.439 0.449 Ridges and furrows 658 547 603 2.00.90.95 0.453 0.448 0.450 S.Em.± 63 44 38 0.07 0.05 0.04 0.007 0.00 0.003 CD (P=0.05) 246 72 25 0.26 0.20 0.4 n.s. 0.004 n.s. Farmyard manureat 2.5 t ha 486 457 472.80.85.82 0.453 0.443 0.448 Vermicompostat.0 t ha 398 4 405.69.78.74 0.452 0.446 0.449 Leucaena loppings at 2.5 t ha 582 557 570.87.90.89 0.456 0.443 0.459 S.Em.± 5 36 3 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.006 0.002 0.003 CD (P=0.05) 57 2 9 0. n.s. 0.08 n.s. n.s. n.s. Nitrogen application (kg ha ) 0 274 263 268.55.59.57 0.450 0.443 0.446 25 536 509 522.85.87.86 0.452 0.446 0.449 50 657 653 655.95 2.08 2.0 0.459 0.443 0.45 S.Em.± 38 53 25 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.005 0.002 0.003 CD (P=0.05) 08 95 69 0.0 0. 0.07 n.s. n.s. n.s. Note: n.s.=non significant application. Application of Leucaena loppings at 2.5 Mg ha increased the grain and straw yields significantly by 2% (570 kg ha ) and 9% (.89 t ha ) compared to 405 kg ha and.74 t ha, respectively with vermicompost (Table 4). Grain and straw yields with farmyard manure application were slightly lower (472 kg ha and.82 t ha ) compared to Leucaena application. Similar results were earlier reported in winter sorghum by Durgude et al. (996) and Durgude and Patil (997) at Sholapur, India. Greater yields with Leucaena loppings compared to farmyard manure or vermicompost may be attributed to lower C:N ratio, faster rate of mineralization, more water conservation and nutrient availability. Leucaena application at 2.5 Mg ha resulted in slightly higher harvest index of 0.459 over 0.448 and 0.449 with farmyard manure at 2.5 Mg ha and vermicompost at.0 Mg ha, respectively (Table 4). Nitrogen application Application of 50 kg N ha produced significantly higher grain yield compared to 25 kg N ha and control. Higher grain and straw yields with increased N application up to 50 kg ha was attributed to better plant growth with greater dry matter production and its accumulation in leaf, stem and ear at 30, 60, 90 DAS and at harvest (Tables and 2). At harvest, application of 25 and 50 kg N ha increased the dry matter production per plant by 8% and 28% (75.52 and 8.85 g plant, respectively) against 63.99 g plant from control and similar trend was also observed at 30, 60 and 90 DAS (Table ). This was attributed to higher dry matter production in leaf, stem and ear. At harvest, significantly higher dry matter accumulation in leaves (8.49 g plant ) and stem (30.52 g plant ) with application of 50 kg N ha over 25 kg N ha and control (Table 2). Increase in N up to 80 kg ha increased the grain yield over control in Vertisols in the rainy season sorghum at Dharwad, Karnataka, India (Angadi et al., 2004). Application of 50 kg N ha produced significantly 8% higher dry matter in ear (42.86 g plant ) over 25 kg N ha (39.8 g plant ) and 25% higher (33.9 g plant ) over control at harvest. At harvest, grain yield was significantly and positively correlated with dry matter production per plant (r = 0.67), ear weight per plant (r=0.65), stem weight per plant (r=0.63) and leaf weight per plant (r = 0.5). Increase in N up to 60 kg ha increased the biomass production in finger millet in Alfisols at Bangalore, Karnataka, India (Reddy et al., 2004). Dry matter production and its accumulation in reproductive parts depend upon the photosynthetic capacity of plant and in turn depends on dry matter accumulation in leaves and leaf area per plant. Increase in N application up to 50 kg ha increased the leaf area per plant at 30, 60, 90 DAS and at harvest over 25 kg N ha and control (Table 3). Application of 25 and 50 kg N ha increased the leaf area per 2 2 plant (4. dm plant and 5.57 dm plant ) that was

56 S.L. Patil et al. /Ind.J.Soil Cons. 39() : 50-58, 20 significantly higher by 3% and 24% at 60 DAS and 20% 2 2 and 25% (4.00 dm plant and 4.54 dm plant ) at 90 DAS over control (Table 3). Higher green leaf area with application of 50 kg N ha was attributed to greater leaf expansion, N being the constituent of protein, enzymes and chlorophyll. Increased N application up to 50 kg ha produced more leaf area in maize (Shanti et al., 997). Persistence of photosynthetic capacity during the reproductive phase of the crop is important for attaining greater dry matter production, thereby resulting in higher crop yields. Application of 25 kg N ha produced significantly superior grain and straw yield by 20% and 9% (522 kg ha and.86 Mg ha, respectively) and further increase in N application to 50 kg ha increased the grain and straw yields by 3% and 28% (655 kg ha and 2.0 Mg ha, respectively) against 2.68 kg ha and.57 Mg ha, respectively from control (Table 4). Patil et al. (997) at Bellary, Karnataka, India and Durgude et al. (996) at Sholapur, Maharashtra, India, in Vertisols recorded improved plant growth and increased dry matter production per plant and grain and straw yields in winter sorghum with increase in N application in the dryland regions of South India. Table : 5 Soil water in top 0.60 m soil depth as influenced by rainwater conservation practices, organic materials and nitrogen application Treatment Soil water (mm) At sowing 60 DAS At harvest 994 95 995 96 994 95 995 96 994 95 995 96 Flat bed 205 30 40 49 24 22 Compartmental bunding 2 4 48 56 3 32 Ridges and furrows 23 4 47 62 30 32 S.Em.+ 4.7. 0.8 2.8 2.8.9 2.0 CD (P=0.05) n.s 3. n.s.0 n.s 7.8 Farmyard manure at 2.5 Mg ha 2 36 45 56 28 29 Vermicompost at.0 Mg ha 208 36 43 5 26 27 Leucaena loppings at 2.5 Mg ha 20 40 46 59 32 3 S.Em.+ 2.9.4 0.8.0.2. CD (P=0.05) n.s. n.s. 2.5 3. 3.7 3.4 Nitrogen application (kg ha ) 0 209 35 47 60 36 32 25 208 38 44 54 28 29 50 22 38 43 52 2 25 S.Em.+ 2.9.2 0.9.4.7 0.9 CD (P=0.05) n.s. n.s. 2.7 4.0 5.0 2.8 Note: n.s.=non significant Interactions Dry matter production per plant and dry matter accumulation in leaves at 60 DAS increased significantly with adoption of rainwater conservation practices and increased N application up to 50 kg ha (Tables 6 and 7). Similarly, at the same N application (0, 25 and 50 kg ha ), dry matter production and leaf mass per plant increased significantly with adoption of rainwater conservation practices i.e., compartmental bunding and ridges and furrows against flat bed. Ridges and furrows with application of 50 kg N ha produced significantly higher dry matter production per plant (36.92 g plant ) and dry matter accumulation in leaves (0.54 g plant ). Compartmental bunding with application of farmyard manure and 50 kg N ha produced significantly more leaf mass (9.33 g plant ) at harvest. Similar trend was also observed in plots laid out with ridges and furrows (Table 8). Greater dry matter production per plant was a result of better leaf and stem growth with higher dry matter accumulation in leaf, stem and ear at different stages of crop growth. Higher leaf mass at 60 and 90 DAS was a result of more leaf area with adoption of rainwater conservation practices and integrated nutrient management. Increase in N application up to 50 kg ha, increased the leaf area in flat bed, compartmental bunding and ridges and furrows. 2 Significantly higher leaf area (7.5 dm plant ) was observed in plots laid out with compartmental bunding and application of 50 kg N ha (Table 9). Similarly, increase in

S.L. Patil et al. /Ind.J.Soil Cons. 39() : 50-58, 20 57 Table : 6 Dry matter production of winter sorghum at 60 days after sowing as influenced by interaction effects of rainwater conservation practices and nitrogen application (Average of 994 95 and 995 96) Treatment Dry matter production (g plant ) Nitrogen application 0 25 50 Mean (kg ha ) Rainwater conservation practices Flat bed 2.05 26.0 28.0 25.08 Compartmental bunding 25.5 32.32 34.56 30.67 Ridges and furrows 25.44 33.98 36.92 32. Mean 23.88 30.80 33.9 29.29 For comparing the S.Em.± CD (P=0.05) means of N at same RCP 0.72 2.0 RCP at same/different N 0.8 2.23 Note: RCP=, N=Nitrogen application Table : 7 Leaf mass of winter sorghum at 60 days after sowing as influenced by interaction effects of rainwater conservation practices and nitrogen application (Average of 994 95 and 995 96) Treatment Leaf mass (g plant ) Nitrogen application 0 25 50 Mean (kg ha ) Rainwater conservation practices Flat bed 6.6 7.2 7.59 6.99 Compartmental bunding 7.32 9.4 0.09 8.94 Ridges and furrows 7.26 9.76 0.54 9.9 Mean 6.9 8.79 9.4 8.37 For comparing the S.Em.± CD (P=0.05) means of N at same RCP 0.24 0.68 RCP at same/different N 0.27 0.74 Note: RCP=, N=Nitrogen application Table : 8 Leaf mass of winter sorghum at harvest as influenced by the interaction effects of rainwater conservation practices, organic materials and nitrogen application (Average of 994 95 and 995 96) Treatment Leaf mass (g plant ) RCP N application (kg ha ) 0 25 50 Mean Farmyard manure at 2.5 Mg ha 5.3 7.93 6.67 6.64 Flat bed Vermicompost at.0 Mg ha 5.63 5.78 8.57 6.66 Leucaena loppings at 2.5 Mg ha 6.60 6.88 8.09 7.9 Mean 5.85 6.86 7.78 6.83 Farmyard manure at 2.5 Mg ha 6.80 7.83 9.33 7.98 Compartmental bunding Vermicompost at.0 Mg ha 6.33 8.40 8.8 7.85 Leucaena loppings at 2.5 Mg ha 7.73 8.35 8.84 8.3 Mean 6.95 8.9 8.99 8.05 Farmyard manure at 2.5 Mg ha 6.89 8.29 8.74 7.97 Ridges and furrows Vermicompost at.0 Mg ha 6.90 8.23 8.59 7.92 Leucaena loppings at 2.5 Mg ha 7.7 8.22 8.73 8.04 Mean 6.99 8.25 8.69 7.98 Farmyard manure at 2.5 Mg ha 6.33 8.0 8.25 7.53 Mean Vermicompost at.0 Mg ha 6.29 7.48 8.66 7.47 Leucaena loppings at 2.5 Mg ha 7.7 7.82 8.55 7.85 Mean 6.60 7.77 8.49 - For comparing means of S.Em.± CD (P=0.05) (RCP) 0.4 0.44 (O) 0.36 n.s. O at same RCP 0.53 n.s. N application 0.8 0.50 N at same RCP 0.3 n.s. N at same O 0.3 0.87 N at same RCP and O 0.54.50 RCP at same/different O 0.45 n.s. O at same/different N 0.40.0 O at same RCP and N 0.69.9 RCP at same/different N 0.29 n.s. RCP at same O and N 0.63.76 Note: RCP=, O=, N=Nitrogen application, n.s.=non significant.

58 S.L. Patil et al. /Ind.J.Soil Cons. 39() : 50-58, 20 N application up to 50 kg ha with all the organic materials incorporated increased the leaf area per plant at 60 DAS. 2 Greater leaf area (5.78 dm plant ) was recorded in plots applied with Leucaena loppings at 2.5 Mg ha and 50 kg N ha (Table 9). At 90 DAS, adoption of rainwater conservation practices with integrated nutrient management produced more leaf area. Ridges and furrows with application of Leucaena loppings and 50 kg N ha 2 produced greater leaf area (6.34 dm plant ) over other treatments. Table : 9 Leaf area of winter sorghum at 60 days after sowing as influenced by interaction effects of rainwater conservation practices and nitrogen application and organic materials and nitrogen application (Average of 994 95 and 995 96) 2 Treatment Leaf area (dm plant ) Nitrogen application 0 25 50 Mean (kg ha ) Rainwater conservation practices Flat bed.57 2.47 3.58 2.55 Compartmental bunding 2.46 4.7 7.5 4.77 Ridges and furrows 3.56 5.5 5.98 4.83 Mean 2.53 4. 5.57 4.07 For comparing the S.Em.± CD (P=0.05) means of N at same RCP 0.4.2 RCP at same/different N 0.50.40 Note: RCP=, N=Nitrogen application REFERENCES Angadi, V.V., Hugar, A.Y., Basavaraj, B. 2004. Evaluation of promising kharif sorghum genotypes for their yield potential and fertility response. Karnataka J. Agric. Sci., 7: 539-54. Basavarajappa, R., Prabhakar, A.S., Halikatti, S.I. 2003. Effect of tillage practices, organics and nitrogen levels on growth components, dry matter accumulation and physiological parameters in foxtail millet (Setaria italica). Indian J. Agron., 48: 3. Durgude, A.G., Patil, J.D. 997. Recycling of Leucaena leucocephala to pearlmillet. J. Dryland Agric. Res. and Dev., 2: 57. Dugude, A.G., Rote, B.P., Joshi, V.A., Patil, J.D. 996. Effect of different organic manures on yield, nutrient uptake and moisture utilization by rabi sorghum. Indian J. Dry land Agric. Res. and Dev., : 90-92. Jayaprakash, T.C., Nagalikar, V.P., Pujari, B.T., Setty, R.A. 2004. Dry matter and its accumulation pattern in maize as influenced by organics and inorganics. Karnataka J. Agric. Sci., 7: 327-329. Kumar, M., Singh, R.A. and Singh, S.P. 2008. Performance of moisture conservation practices and levels of nitrogen in sorghum under rainfed ecosystems of Uttar Pradesh. Indian J. Soil Cons., 36(): 22-23. Patil, S.L. 998. Response of rabi sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) to tillage, moisture conservation practices, organics and nitrogen in Vertisols of SemiArid Tropics. Ph.D. Thesis, UAS, Dharwad, Karnataka State, India. 2 Treatment Leaf area (dm plant ) Nitrogen application 0 25 50 Mean (kg ha ) Farmyard manure at 2.5 t ha 2.77 4.32 5.97 4.36 Vermicompost at.0 t ha 2.07 3.94 4.96 3.66 Leucaena loppings 2.74 4.07 5.78 4.9 at 2.5 t ha Mean 2.53 4. 5.57 4.07 For comparing the S.Em.± CD (P = 0.05) means of N at same RCP 0.4.3 RCP at same/different N 0.43.20 Patil, S.L., Rama Mohan Rao, M.S., Nalatadmath, S.K. 997. Response of rabi sorghum to moisture, plant population and nitrogen levels. Annual Report, 996997, CS&WCR&TI, Research Centre, Bellary, Karnataka, India, pp 45-53. Reddy, D.V.V., Udaya Kumar, M., Prasad, T.G., Seethram, A., Nanjareddy, A. 2004. Influence of NPK on relative stability of Harvest Index in fingermillet. Karnataka J. Agric. Sci., 7: 69-694. Rao, S.S., Regar, P.L. and Singh, Y.V. 200. In-situ rainwater conservation practices in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) under rainfed conditions in arid region. Indian J. Soil Cons., 38(2): 05-0. Sanjeev Reddy, B., Maruthi, V., Adake, R.V. and Mandal, U.K. 2009. Effect of different land configuration practices on productivity of Sorghum-Pigeonpea Intercropping system in shallow Alfisols. Indian J. Dryland Agric. and Dev., 24():57-62. Sen, H.S. 2003. Problem soils in India and their management; Prospect and Retrospect. J. Indian Soc. Soil Sci., 5: 388-408. Shanti, K., Praveen Rao, V.,Ranga Reddy, M., Suryanarayana Reddy, M., Sharma, P.S. 997. Response of maize hybrid and composite to different levels of nitrogen. Indian J. Agric. Sci. 67: 424-425. Tolanur, S.I., Badnur, V.P. 2003. Effect of integrated use of organic manure green manure and fertilizer nitrogen on sustaining productivity of rabi sorghumchickpea system and fertility of a Vertisol. J. Indian Soc. Soil Sci., 5: 4-44. Vyas, M. D., Jain, A. K., Tiwari, R.J. 2003. Long term effect of micronutrients and FYM on yield and nutrient uptake by soybean on a typicchromustert. J. Indian Soc. Soil Sci., 5: 45-47.