Effect of nitrogen and Azotobacter inoculation on the productivity of fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

摘要

The field experiment was conducted during kharif season for two consecutive years (1997 and 1998) to assess the effect of nitrogen and bacterial inoculation on the production potential and quality of fodder sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Results revealedthat maximum green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields were obtained at 112.5 kg N/ha which were significantly superiorto control, 22.5, 45.0 and 67.5 kg N/ha but at par with 90 kg N/ha. Economic analysis indicated that gross and net returns increased gradually with each increase in nitrogen level upto the highest level i.e. 112.5 kg N/ha. However, maximum benefit: cost ratio was recorded at 90 kg N/ha. Seed inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum not only increased the green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields significantly over uninoculated control but also recorded substantially higher gross and net returns and benefit: cost ratio.