Effect of intercropping and sowing methods on yield and yield components of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor var. Abu Sabeen)

This study was carried out over two consecutive seasons (2020/2021 and 2021/2022) at the Faculty of Agriculture, Nile Valley University, Dar Mali, River Nile State, Sudan. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of intercropping and sowing techniques on vegetative growth, yield components, and seed yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolour var. Abu Sabeen). The experiment tested different intercropping treatments-sole sorghum, cowpea, guar, and soybean, and sowing methods (ridge and flat). The results revealed significant differences, with intercropping showing a consistent interaction effect, especially for intercropping practices. Cowpea consistently enhanced vegetative growth, achieving the highest plant height and leaf area. In particular, the cowpea system produced the highest final seed yields in both seasons (353.60 and 349.55 kg/ha, respectively). In contrast, guar suppressed vegetative growth and yield, resulting in the lowest seed yields, with the maximum 1000-seed weight, ultimately resulting in the lowest yield (185.30 kg/ha in the first season), emphasizing its competitive nature. The impact of sowing methods varies between seasons. Ridge sowing was more effective in the first season, maximizing yield (343.80 kg/ha) and panicle number (average 15.12). In the second season, flat sowing outperformed, reaching the highest yield (347.40 kg/ha) by significantly increasing the 1000-seed weight (average 20.86g), indicating better resource use during grain filling in that season. Intercropping and optimized sowing methods can improve the productivity, sustainability, and profitability of sorghum-based systems in Sudan. However, the careful management of spatial arrangements and crop combinations is necessary to prevent reductions in sorghum grain yield.