Effect of Sowing date and Nitrogen rate on Yield , Yield Components and Nitrogen use of efficiency of Sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (Moench ) L.) under irrigation

Abstract

Afield experiment was conducted for two seasons at the college of Agricultural studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology in Khartoum (Shambat ), during summer season of 2012 /2013, to study the effects of sowing date , nitrogen rate and nitrogen use efficiency on yield of sorghum (sorghum bicolor L.). The cultivar used was Wad Ahmed . The experiment was laid in spilt plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications . The main plots were four sowing date on 1st July (S1), 15th July (S2) ,1st August (S3) and 15th August (S4) . Subplots were four nitrogen rates : control (No) , 45 Kg N/ha (N1),90 Kg N/ha (N2) and 135 Kg N/ha (N3) . Growth parameters studied were plant height, leaves number /plant and leaf area . Yield components studied were length of head, weight of seeds /plant, 100.seeds weight, grain yield, harvest index and nitrogen use efficiency . The results showed that sowing date had significant effect on leaf area, harvest index in both seasons, leaves number/ plant and grain yield in season one, length of head and weight of 100seeds in season two . Application of fertilizer resulted in significant effect on grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency in both seasons, leaves number in season two .