Effect of fertilizer doses and foliar application of primary nutrients on growth and yield of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) under South Odisha agro-climatic conditions

In the modern era of climate change, the choice of ecologically hardy crops and suitable cropping systems is the top priority. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.), a climate-resilient cereal crop, is crucial for food and fodder security in arid and semi-arid regions. Foliar nutrition is aimed at eliminating the problems of fixation and immobilisation of nutrients. Hence, foliar nutrition is recognised as a significant way of fertilising crops. Nano nutrients have become more efficient than conventional fertilizers and exhibit good results in combination. The present study was conducted at M.S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha, during the Rabi season of 2023-2024. There were four levels of fertilizers (0%, 50%, 100% and 150% of the recommended dose of fertilizers) as the first factor and three foliar nutrient doses, namely, nano urea @ 4ml/L, nano DAP @ 3ml/L and foliar potash @ 2g/L at 30 and 60 DAS. The results revealed that the highest growth attributes, yield parameters and yield were observed in the treatment with the application of 150% RDF. The foliar nutrient application recorded the highest values of the above-mentioned parameters with nano DAP spray @ 3ml/L at 30 and 60 DAS. Among treatment combinations, the fertilizer dose of 150% RDF and nano DAP spray @ 3 ml/L at 30 and 60 DAS registered its superiority for yield attributes and yield. The study concludes that providing grain sorghum with 150% RDF and two foliar sprays of nano DAP at 30 and 60 DAS can be considered the most suitable nutrient management practice for obtaining the highest productivity.