physicochemical

Research Note
J.Res. ANGRAU 39(1&2)58-59, 2011
EFFECT OF MANURES, INORGANICS AND BIO-FERTILIZERS ON YIELD,
JUICE QUALITY, NUTRIENT CONTENT AND UPTAKE OF SWEET SORGHUM
(Sorghum bicolor (L.) Monech ) IN PONGAMIA BASED
AGRISILVICULTURE SYSTEM
KASTHURI RAJAMANI, M.A. AARIFF KHAN and A. PRATAP KUMAR REDDY
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry,
College of Agriculture, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030.
A field experiment was conducted during rabi
2008-09 at Agroforestry Research block, Acharya
N.G Ranga Agricultural University campus,
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, on sweet sorghum grown
in the inter spaces of two year old Pongamia grafts
with a spacing of 5 x 4 m. The soil of the experiment
site was red sandy loam in texture, neutral in reaction
(6.93), non-saline (0.16 dS m -1 ), low in organic carbon
(0.41%), available nitrogen (160.85 kg N ha -1 ),
phosphorus (10.13 kg P 2
O 5
ha -1 ) and potassium
(166.42 kg K 2
O ha -1 ). The experiment consisted of 9
treatments and replicated thrice in a randomized
block design. The treatments are: T 1
- Control (without
manure and fertilizer); T 2
- FYM 10 ( t ha -1 ); T 3
- 100
percent RDF ( 80-60-40 kg ha -1 NPK ); T 4
- 75 percent
RDN + 25 percent N through Vermicompost;
T 5
- 75 percent RDN + 25 percent N through FYM;
T 6
- 75 percent RDN + 25 percent N through Poultry
manure; T 7
- 75 percent RDN + Azospirillum @ 5 kg
ha -1 ; T 8
- 75 percent RDN + VAM @ 5 kg ha -1 ;
T 9
- 75 percent RDN + Azospirillum + VAM each @
5 kg ha -1 . Recommended doses of phosphorus and
potassium (60 and 40 kg ha -1 ) were applied uniformly
to all treatments in the form of single super phosphate
(SSP) and muriate of potash (MOP) respectively
as basal except Control and FYM 10 ( t ha -1 ).
Nitrogen was applied as per the treatments as
scheduled in the form of urea in 3 equal splits (1/3
basal, 1/3 at knee high and 1/3 at ear head emergence
stage). Plant samples were collected and analyzed
at harvest for nutrient concentration and uptake by
following standard analytical procedures.
Grain yield and stover yield of sweet sorghum
were higher, when the nutrients were applied through
fertilizers (RDF). More or less similar yields could be
realized, when poultry manure was used along with
reduced dose of fertilizers. Grain yield of sweet
sorghum was on a par with the above, when FYM or
VC was applied along with 75% RDF. However, the
stover yield decreased significantly when FYM and
VC were used as substitutes to fertilizers. Biofertilizers
tested viz., azospirillum and VAM were not
as effective as fertilizers. The grain yield and stover
yield decreased sharply, when part of the fertilizers
was substituted with these bio-fertilizers, either singly
or combinedly. The results are in accordance with
the earlier findings of Kange et al., (2008).
The effect of poultry manure on the juice quality
of sorghum on the juice quality of sorghum stalks as
estimated in the form of brix and sucrose was
distinctly evident. The brix and sucrose values were
higher with the use of poultry manure. However, the
effect of the use of recommended dose of NPK
fertilizers was on par with the above. Bio-fertilizers
were not effective in influencing the juice quality.
The nutrient concentration in the plant tissue
and the uptake of these major nutrients by the crop
were favourably influenced by the combined use of
poultry manure and fertilizers. Higher values were
recorded with this treatment. The other organic
sources i.e. VC and FYM were less effective when
compared to PM. Substitution of fertilizers through
bio-fertilizers appeared to be less effective and not
to any advantage. The results of the present
investigations are in close agreement with the
findings of Arbad et al., (2008).
Based on the data on grain and stover yield,
quality of juice and nutrient uptake, it is evident that
integrated use of PM and fertilizers to supply the
required plant nutrients to sweet sorghum is a good
practice compared to total dependence on fertilizers
alone.
E mail: kasthuri.agrico114@gmail.com
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