Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-vsgnj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-20T15:28:42.245Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Effect of mulches and antitranspirants on the grain yield of sorghum grown under limited irrigations on a deep vertisol

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

R. De
Affiliation:
Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, India
G. Bheemiah
Affiliation:
Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, India
K. Ramsheshiah
Affiliation:
Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, India
Y. Yogeswara Rao
Affiliation:
Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad 500 030, India

Summary

Field experiments made for 2 years on a deep vertisol under semi-arid conditions showed that soil-surface evaporation control by mulching with rice straw or transpiration suppression by foliar application of kaolin or atrazine increased the yield of grain sorghum. These materials decreased soil moisture depletion and thus increased water-use efficiency. Application of one irrigation at the boot-leaf stage was beneficial. No additional advantage was noted with two irrigations, one given 45 days after seeding and the other at anthesis.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Agarwal, S. K. & De, R. (1979). Effect of nitrogen rates, mulching and antitranspirants on water use and water use efficiency of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) varieties grown under dryland conditions. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 92, 263268.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fuehring, H. D. (1973). Effect of antitranspirants on yield of grain sorghum under limited irrigation. Agronomy Journal 65, 348351.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moreshet, S., Stanhill, G. & Fuchs, M. (1977). Effect of increasing foliage reflectance on the CO2 uptake and transpiration resistance of grain sorghum crop. Agronomy Journal 69, 246250.Google Scholar
Patil, B. B. & De, R. (1978). Studies on the effect of nitrogen fertilizer, row spacing and use of antitranspirants on rapeseed (Brassica campestria) grown under dryland conditions. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 91, 257264.Google Scholar
Raghavulu, P. & Singh, S. P. (1981). Effect of mulches and transpiration suppressants on yield, water use efficiency and uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus by sorghum under dryland conditions of north-western India. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 98, 103108.CrossRefGoogle Scholar