Productivity response to plant density in five Sorghum bicolor varieties in dry environments

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Botany Dept., Fac. Agric., Fayoum Univ., 63514 Fayoum, Egypt

2 Agronomy Dept., Fac. Agric., Fayoum Univ., 63514 Fayoum, Egypt

Abstract

DRYLAND characterizes by low fertility and poor structure. For sustainable agriculture, it needs some technologies application such as suitable variety and plant density for crop management to enhance crop performance. To study yield behavior under such conditions, two field trials were conducted using five sweet sorghum varieties (Brandes; V1, Honey; V2, Gk Áron; V3, Róna 1; V4 and GK Csaba; V5) and three plant densities (111000; D1, 133000; D2 and 166000; D3 plants ha-1). Results indicated that all varieties differed significantly in all tested parameters; growth, juice quality and yield and its components. Of all investigated varieties, the most productive was V1, while V5 was the least. Ethanol yield was recorded highest values with V1 over two seasons. On other side, V5 flowered 25 days earlier than V1. Time of 50% flowering and yields were increased with increase in plant density. The integrated V1×D3 found to be the best treatment generating highest ethanol (biofuel), yields and seed index over two studied seasons. Therefore, this integrated treatment is recommended for dry environments.

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