Effect of Irrigation Intervals and sowing method on Production of Fodder Sorghum on Saline Soil

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the period from November (2010) to early January, (2012), during two consecutive seasons, in the demonstration Farm of the College of Animal Production, Sudan University of Science and Technology, at Kuku, to study the effect of Water Use Efficiency under four irrigation intervals 7-10-14-21 days, on two different land preparation methods (ridged and flat) on production of fodder Sorghum Cultivars (Sorghum bicolor) "Abu 70" and (Sorghum sudanense) "Garawia" on a saline soil. Irrigation was from domestic water supply net work. Soil samples and irrigation water samples were analyzed chemically to determine the actual soil and irrigation water salinity degree, the average Ece and Ecw, were 4.4 ds/m, 0.285 ds/m for soil and irrigation water respectively. The treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), with four replications, with an area of 4*5 =20 m2, the data were subjected to statistical analysis using, MSTAT, Computer program. Calculation was done to determine the amount of crop water requirements in (m3) per plot, the application of irrigation water was measured by a (2 inch) flow meter.The main parameters were dry and fresh matter yields. The crop factor (kc) was taken using CROP WAT Program .based on Penman Monteith equation for Khartoum area. The growth measured were: the water use efficiency effect on dry matter yields. The highest value for calculated Eto (Penman Monteith) was during the developing and maturity stage. The values ranged between: (6.99, 6.08, 5.29) mm/ day. This trend was similar for the values of crop factors (kc), which ranged between (0.3 to 1.02). The results showed a higher dry matter yields and water use efficiency in favor of the shorter intervals 7, 10 days, with significant differences on different soil preparation methods within two seasons. Abu 70 within the two seasons on different soil preparation methods under different irrigation intervals, scored a higher dry matter yield than Garawia. The results of water use efficiency followed the same pattern. Abu 70 crop under the two soil preparation methods gave significant differences in favor of the shorter irrigation intervals