Sorghum growth influenced by cultivar, nitrogen fertilizer rate and plant density under different environmental conditions

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of cultivar, nitrogen fertilizer rate and plant density on sorghum growth performance under different environmental conditions. A field experiment was carried out at two different locations of North-West province during 2016/17 and 2017/18 planting seasons. The experiment was laid out as a split split plot arrangement fitted into a randomized complete block design with four replications. The main plot factors were higher plant density (33 333 plants/ha) and lower plant density (22 222 plants/ha). The subplot factors consisted of nitrogen fertilizer rates of 0, 100 and 150 kg/ha. The sub-sub plot factors included two sorghum cultivars, PAN 8625 and PAN 8816. The measured growth parameters were plant height, stem diameter, leaves per plant, leaf chlorophyll content and leaf area index. Sorghum fertilised with 100 kg N/ha had a significantly taller plant of 94.07 cm than sorghum fertilised with 0 and 150 kg N/ha at 51 DAP. During 2016/17 planting season, sorghum cultivar PAN 8625 had a significantly higher number of 13.29 leaves than PAN 8816 at 51 DAP. Sorghum cultivar PAN 8625 also had a significantly higher number of 12.71 leaves than PAN 8816 at 74 DAP. Sorghum growth was enhanced by application of 100 kg N/ha. In this study, sorghum cultivar PAN 8625 is recommended to farmers due to its superior growth performance.