Studies on the interaction effect on tillage, organics and nitrogen on root length, root volume and yield of sorghum in subsoil hard pan soils

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out with sorghum (CO 26) in an Alfiso! having hard pan at shallow depth to study the interaction effect of tillage practices, organics and nitrogen on grain yield and root volume of sorghum. Remarkable influence of chiseling on the root length and root volume of the sorghum crop was evidenced from the better proliferation of roots in to the deeper layers. Root length increased with increasing levels of N, while organics had no effect on root length. Chiseling significantly increased the grain yield of sorghum. Among the organics, the composted coir pith registered the highest grain yield of sorghum. The grain yield of sorghum due to chiseling and 75 per cent of the recommended N was on par with the mould board or country ploughing with 100 per cent recommended N indicating the scope of saving 25 per cent fertiliser N.