Identification of Best Split Application Frequency and Timing of Nitrogen Fertilizer for Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in Eastern Amhara

Abstract

Nitrogen is one of the growth limiting nutrients in agricultural production. Proper nitrogen application time and rates are critical to meet crop needs and indicate considerable opportunities for improving nitrogen use efficiency. Split-application of Nitrogen fertilizer experiment was conducted in major long mature sorghum varieties (Degalet & Jamyo) growing areas of Eastern Amhara for 2016/17 cropping season. The experiment was initiated to identify the appropriate time and frequency of N fertilizer application on grain yield of long mature sorghum. The experiment was designed in randomized complete block consisting of five Nitrogen fertilizer application times: (1) 1/2 at planting + 1/2 at knee height  stage, (2) 1/3  at planting + 1/3 at knee height stage + 1/3 at stem  elongation (3) 2/3 at  knee height + 1/3 at stem  elongation , (4) 1/3 at planting + 2/3 at knee height stage and (5) full recommended N at Knee height stage of the crop and replicated three times in each farmer’s field . The collected data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS version 9.0. The Result showed that there was no statistical significance yield difference (p > 0.05) between treatments in both Raya Kobo and srinka for the two long maturity sorghum (degalet and jamyo) varieties.

Keywords: Fertilizer, Nitrogen, Sorghum, Split application

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-6-03

Publication date:June 30^th 2020