Identification of Best Rate and Split Application of Nitrogen Fertilizer for Sudangrass Hybrid (Sorghum Vulgare Var. Sudanense)

Abstract

The study was conducted in Agriculture College farm / Basra University – Karmat Ali location, during autumnal season / 2020, to study the effects of Nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 150, 200 and 250 kg N ha-1), and three split application of nitrogen fertilizer which is: (¼ after two weeks of sowing, + ½ after the first cut + ¼ after the second cut , ½ after two weeks of sowing + ¼ after the first cut + ¼ after the second cut, ⅓ after two weeks of sowing, + ⅓ after the first cut + ⅓ after the second cut) symbolized by D1, D2, and D3 respectively, on growth and green forage of the hybrid of Sudan grass. The experiment was split-plots in R.C.B.D design with three replicates, the main plots included the nitrogen fertilizer, while split application were placed in the sub plots. . The results showed that the level 200 kg N ha-1 was superior and gave the highest in most of the growth parameters, as well as the highest green forage yield of 66.196, 82.407 and 20,533 μg ha-1, for the three cuts respectively.The split application of nitrogen fertilizer (D2) achieved the highest plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, also D2 achieved the highest green forage yield in the first and second cuts were 57.382 and 71,855 μg ha-1. The interaction of 200 kg N ha-1 with D2 gave the highest green forage yield at the first cutting of 72.333 μg ha-1, while, at the second cutting the level of 200 kg N ha-1 with D1 was gave the highest average green forage yield of 84.853 μg ha-1