Effect of sowing dates and spacing on growth and economics of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2019 at Central Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P). The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.3), low in organic carbon (0.57%), available N (230 kg/ha), available P (32.10 kg/ha) and available K (346 kg/ha). The treatments consist of 3 different sowing dates viz.17th July, 10th and 26th August (respectively) and 3 different spacing viz. 30cm, 45 cm and 60 cm, whose effect was observed on Sorghum. There were nine treatments each replicated thrice. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design. The result showed that growth parameters viz. Plant height (110.35 cm), Number of leaves (14.91) at 120 harvests were recorded superior with the sowing date 17th July with spacing 45 cm. Gross returns (146415.7 ₹/ha), net returns (106075.7 ₹/ha) and B: C ratio (1.52) were recorded significantly higher with the sowing date 17th July with spacing 45 cm. From the above data the sowing date 17th July with spacing 45 cm was found to be more productive and economically beneficial.