Journal of FARM SCIENCES, Vol 26, No 4 (2013)

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Response of rainfed sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) to moisture conservation techniques and sowing dates in rabi season

A.H. Kalhapure, B.T. Shete

Abstract


A field experiment was conducted at the Breeder Seed Production Farm of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth,Rahuri (Maharashtra) for three consecutive rabi seasons of the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 to study the effect of in situmoisture conservation techniques and dates of sowing on growth and yield of rabi sorghum under rainfed condition. Four insitu moisture conservation techniques (viz. sowing on flat bed and opening of furrow after each alternate row of crop,compartmental bunding, sowing on flat bed and sowing on ridges and furrows) as main plot treatments and three sowing dates(viz.15th September, 30th September and 15th October) were included as sub plot treatment in split plot design replicatedthrice. The compartmental bunding of size 6m x 5m with 15 cm bund height was found to be superior in respect of variousgrowth and yield attributes (viz. plant height, dry matter of plant and 100 seed weight). It also produced higher grain yield(2095 kg ha-1), dry fodder yield (4780 kg ha-1) and net return (` 77190 ha-1). The B:C ratio of rainfed sorghum in rabi seasonand the soil moisture content at various depths of soil profile were also found to be maximum in compartmental bunding. Inrespect of various sowing dates, sowing of sorghum on 15th September resulted in higher plant height (187.21 cm), plant dry matter (47.85 g), 100 seed weight (3.86 g), grain yield (2179 kg ha-1), dry fodder yield (4902 kg ha-1), net return (` 80098 ha-1) andB:C ratio (2.50). Ad0ption of compartmental bunding as in situ moisture conservation technique and early sowing of rabisorghum on 15th September was found to be more efficient in increasing the yield under rainfed condition

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