Effect of organic nitrogen rate and plant density on sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) in the Northern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria
A field trial was conducted during the wet season of 2021 at Samaru in the northern guinea savannah to study the effect of organic nitrogen and plant density on sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Treatments were (four levels of poultry manure (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha-1) sourced poultry manure at (0, 3, 6, and 9 tons ha-1), and three plant densities 2, 3 and 4 plants/stand) were factorially combined and laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The variables measured were plant height, shoot dry weight, number of grains per panicle, grains yield ha-1, brix yield and 1000 – grains weight. Data collected on the growth and yield parameters were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of probability. Result obtained shows positive interaction between organic nitrogen level and plant density which significantly increases plant height, yield and yield components of the sweet sorghum. Similarly, 3 plants/stand recorded higher growth and yield characters than other plant densities evaluated. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that application of 100 kg organic nitrogen sourced from poultry manure applied at 150 N kg ha-1 and plant density of 3 plants/stand were optimum for sweet sorghum production in the Sudan savannah agronomical zone of Nigeria.
Keywords: Growth rate, organic nitrogen, plant density, Sweet Sorghum
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