Impact of biofertilizers and organic manures on canopy temperature, soil moisture retention, and yield of Rabi sorghum

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during 2023-24 at Research farm Sorghum Research Station, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani to study the relationship of growth and yield parameters of rabi sorghum with Canopy temperature (CT) and soil moisture under different biofertilizer and organic manures. Canopy temperature was taken by using infrared thermometer at different crop growth stages. The soil moisture content decreased from seedling to maturity stages, with significant differences among treatments. Control (T1) consistently showed the lowest moisture levels, while Zero budget natural Farming (T7) had the highest moisture content throughout the growth period. Canopy temperature was inversely related to soil moisture, indicating that lower canopy temperatures, often associated with higher soil moisture, were linked to better growth and yield. This relationship was especially pronounced in Zero budget natural Farming (ZBNF), where better soil moisture management led to cooler canopy temperatures and higher productivity. The significant difference in the grain and fodder yield has observed and it has noted highest in Zero budget natural Farming (ZBNF) and lowest in Control.