Standardization of nitrogen fertilizer rate for sugar yield optimization in sweet sorghum

Reddy, P S and Reddy, B V S and Ashok Kumar, A and Rao, P S (2008) Standardization of nitrogen fertilizer rate for sugar yield optimization in sweet sorghum. Journal of SAT Agricultural Research, 6. pp. 1-4.

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Abstract

The recent skyrocketing of global fossil fuel prices driven by shrinking supplies in the face of rising demand and increased concerns over environmental pollution associated with fossil fuel use triggered tremendous efforts in exploring the use of alternative renewable fuel sources particularly the transportation fuels worldwide. Ethanol is the numero uno biofuels currently produced mainly from maize (Zea mays) and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is similar to grain sorghum, having fast growth, high biomass production and wider adaptability and is known to have great potential in ethanol production (Reddy et al. 2005). There is an increased interest in the utilization of sweet sorghum for ethanol production in India, the Philippines, China and USA, as its growing period (about 4 months) and water requirement (8000 m3 over two crops) (Soltani and Almodares 1994) are 4 times lower than those of sugarcane (12–16 months and 36,000 m3 crop-1, respectively). To make sweet sorghum a sustainable and profitable crop, there is a need for standardization of agronomic practices, apart from breeding high-yielding cultivars, which can contribute to increased yields resulting in higher returns to farmers. Application of fertilizers has a direct impact on crop productivity. Nitrogen (N) is one of the major nutrients that support crop growth and is the most responsive nutrient required by sorghum (Singh et al. 1972). The present study was conducted at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, India to standardize the optimum N dosage for the optimization of sugar yields in sweet sorghum.

Item Type: Article
Divisions: UNSPECIFIED
CRP: UNSPECIFIED
Subjects: Mandate crops > Sorghum
Depositing User: Library ICRISAT
Date Deposited: 28 Oct 2011 03:52
Last Modified: 16 Sep 2013 12:45
URI: http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/2719
Official URL:
Projects: UNSPECIFIED
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement: UNSPECIFIED
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