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Nitrogen Fertility and Irrigation Influence on Grain Sorghum Nitrogen Efficiency 1
Author(s) -
Zweifel T. R.,
Maranville J. W.,
Ross W. M.,
Clark R. B.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1987.00021962007900030001x
Subject(s) - hybrid , sorghum , dry matter , agronomy , irrigation , nitrogen , water use efficiency , field experiment , biology , fertilizer , sorghum bicolor , chemistry , organic chemistry
Little of the research concerning efficient use of N by crops has examined genotypic variation for the amount of dry matter produced per unit of N absorbed by a plant. A replicated field experiment was conducted for 2 yr to determine the influence of N fertility and irrigation on the N use efficiency of selected grain sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor ) L.) Moench] hybrids. Thirty‐six F 1 hybrids, produced from six female and six male inbreds, were grown under dryland or irrigated conditions with 0 or 112 kg ha −1 N. Samples of the aboveground dry matter were harvested after physiological maturity, separated into leaf, stalk, and grain fractions, and analyzed for reduced N. Hybrid N efficiency was evaluated by ratios of dry weight to plant N content. Significant differences were found among the hybrids and their common parent averages for efficiency ratios, dry weight, and N content. Irrigation had little effect on N utilization efficiency and produced no significant change in the relationship among hybrids for N efficiency. Hybrid N efficiency values were over 30% higher in plots without N fertilizer. Interactions among hybrids and N levels were significant for N efficiency traits and grain weight. Alternate definitions of N efficiency emphasized different characteristics, but the potential for selection of sorghum hybrids with improved efficiency of N use was evident.