Abstract

                                Field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Kovilpatti during rabi season (October 2017 to January 2018) to find out the suitable plant geometry, levels of fertilizers and foliar spray of micronutrients (Zn and Fe) at 15, 30 and 45 DAS to improve the growth and yield of sorghum variety K 12 (dual purpose). The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replication and twelve treatments. The treatment consists of two plant geometry, three different dose of fertilizer and foliar spray of micronutrients viz., 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.2% FeSO4 at 15, 30 and 45 DAS. The experimental results showed that reduced plant spacing of 30 × 15 cm together with enhanced application of 50:25:25 kg NPK ha-1 + foliar spray of 0.5% ZnSO4 + 0.2% FeSO4 at 15, 30 and 45 DA S significantly increased the growth parameters viz., plant height, stem girth and days to flowering. This attributes ultimately resulted in higher grain (3961 kg ha-1) and stover (13972 kg ha-1) yield of dual purpose sorghum compared to recommended practice of rainfed sorghum having 45 × 15 cm spacing and application of recommended 40:20:0 kg NPK ha-1 alone.

Key words : Plant spacing, Soil and Foliar nutrition, Growth and yield, Rainfed dual sorghum