Effect of integrated nutrient management on nutrient content, uptake and economics of forage sorghum under north Gujarat agro-climatic conditions

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023 at the Agronomy Instructional Farm, C. P. College of Agriculture, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, to study the effects of integrated nutrient management on nutrient content, uptake and economics of forage sorghum under North Gujarat's agro-climatic conditions. The experiment consisted of 9 treatment combinations, including 3 organic manures (no manure, FYM at 10.0 t/ha, and castor cake at 1.0 t/ha) and 3 fertility levels (100% RDF, 75% RDF, and 50% RDF), arranged in a split-plot design with four replications. Among the different organic manures and fertility levels applied to forage sorghum, the combination of castor cake at 1.0 t/ha and 100% RDF was significantly superior in terms of nitrogen content and nutrient uptake. However, this combination did not have a significant effect on the nitrogen and phosphorus content of the crop. Additionally, the economic returns were most profitable with the application of castor cake at 1.0 t/ha along with 100% RDF, indicating that this treatment combination was not only beneficial for nutrient uptake but also for maximizing profitability.