Abstract
Ratooning is the cultivation practice of two harvests in one cropping season by producing a second crop from the original stubble, which could provide higher resource use efficiency and economic benefit compared with direct sown crops. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer and planting density (D) play a vital role in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) production; however, limited information is available on the effects on yield and quality of the sorghum-ratoon system. To address this question, field experiments were conducted with three N treatments (120 kg N ha–1, N1; 180 kg N ha–1, N2; and 255 kg N ha–1, N3) and three D treatments (82,500 plant ha–1, D1; 105,000 plant ha–1, D2; and 127,500 plant ha–1, D3). The yield of the main crop was significantly higher than that of the ratoon crop. Increasing N could increase the yield and yield attributes of both main and ratoon crops, and the effect on the ratoon crop was greater than the main crop. With increasing D, the grain yield of both main and ratoon crops increased, though 1,000-grain weight and grain weight per ear decreased. The sorghum grain of the ratoon crop contained higher starch, protein, and tannin contents but lower fat content, indicating a better quality for liquor production. The quality traits were significantly affected by N and D, but the differences between treatments were smaller than that between the main and ratoon crop. Our results indicated that increasing the yield of ratoon crops could obtain a high yield and quality of the sorghum-ratoon system. It was recommended that 120 kg N ha–1 with 127,500 plant ha–1 for the main crop and a small amount of N be top-dressed in three new buds left on stubble in each hill for the ratoon crop.
Highlights
Sorghum, the fifth most important cereal crop in the world with high-stress tolerance and wide adaptability, is grown for both human food and animal feed
In view of the fact that N fertilizer had a larger effect on the grain yield of the ratoon crop than that of the main crop, we suggest a postponed and reduced N application in the main season
The ratoon crop recorded higher starch and tannin content but lower fat content compared with the main crop, indicating a better quality of ratoon crop
Summary
The fifth most important cereal crop in the world with high-stress tolerance and wide adaptability, is grown for both human food and animal feed. In China, sorghum is planted in an area of about 751,793 hectares, produces about 3.60 million tons of grains; this places China at 12th and 6th position in the world, respectively. Waxy sorghum is used as the main raw material for the production of liquor (Ni et al, 2015); about 80% of the domestic production in China is used for this purpose (Wang C. et al, 2016). Yield and Quality of Ratoon Sorghum due to the rapid increase in the liquor industry in China. Due to the shortfall of domestic supply, a lot of the Chinese industries are producing liquor by using imported sorghum. The climate in southwest China is suitable for the production of waxy sorghum (Lu et al, 2009), and this can provide raw material to the liquor industries in China (Wang C. et al, 2017)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
