Effect of integrated nitrogen management on quality and economics of sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season 2018 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.) to study the effect of integrated nitrogen management on quality and economics of Sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] crop. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam with organic carbon (0.45%) and a soil pH of 7.2. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design consisting of 13 treatments replicated thrice. Treatments consisted of control, 3 levels of inorganic sources of nitrogen viz., N1 (80%), N2 (60%) and N3 (40%) and 4 organic sources of nitrogen viz., Poultry Manure, Vermicompost, Poultry Manure + Azospirilum (Seed Inoculation) and Vermicompost + Azospirilum (Seed Inoculation) with their levels viz., Poultry Manure (20% N, 40% N and 60% N) and Vermicompost (20% N, 40% N and 60% N). The result revealed that treatment T4-[80% RDN through inorganic source + 20% N through V.C + Azospirillum (Seed inoculation)] recorded higher crude protein content (9.19%), crude protein yield (1.61 t ha-1), crude fibre content (28.56%), Ash content (8.67%) and Net returns (₹80,546.00 ha-1) whereas B : C ratio (2.88) was found higher in treatment T3.