S. Pholsen
Department of Animal Science, Khan Kaen University, Khan Kaen 40002, Thailand
N. Sornsungnoen
Department of Animal Science, Khan Kaen University, Khan Kaen 40002, Thailand
ABSTRACT
This forage sorghum experiment was carried out at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Northeast Thailand to investigate effects due to N-K2O rates and different planting distances. The experiment was laid out in a 3x4 factorial arranged in a Randomised Complete Block Design with four replications and consisted of twelve treatment combinations (3 rates of N-K2O and 4 planting distances). The results showed that an increase in N-K2O rates significantly increased most growth parameters of the sorghum plants. Whilst an increase in planting distances significantly increased stem and leaf dry weight/plant but decreased Leaf Area Index (LAI). Dry weight/plant of lower dead leaves was not affected by either N-K2O rates or planting distances. The highest LAI value only reached 5. An increase in N-K2O rates did not affect crop growth rate (CGR), whilst an increase in planting distances significantly decreased CGR. Leaf area duration (D) significantly increased with an increase in N-K2O rates. Brix value significantly increased, but only at the highest rate of N-K2O. Seed head and seed yield significantly increased with an increase in N-K2O rate, but the reverse was found with an increase in planting distances. The highest total dry weight and seed yield were found with the highest rate of N-K2O (650-100 kg ha-1) and the narrowest planting distance (50x10 cm). Total dry weight and seed yield were positively correlated to D. The highest Crude Protein (CP) was found with the highest rate of N-K2O and the widest planting distance (50x25 cm). Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) was not affected by either N-K2O rates or planting distance, but Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) was significantly affected by planting distance. Dry Matter Degradability (DMD) was not significantly affected by N-K2O rates, yet planting distance did have a significant effect on DMD.
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How to cite this article
S. Pholsen and N. Sornsungnoen, 2004. Effects of Nitrogen and Potassium Rates and Planting Distances on Growth, Yield
and Fodder Quality of a Forage Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench). Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 7: 1793-1800.
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2004.1793.1800
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjbs.2004.1793.1800
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2004.1793.1800
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjbs.2004.1793.1800
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