Nitrogen and Plant Density Effects on Sorghum

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen and plant density on some morphological and agronomic characteristics of grain sorghum in the years 2001-2002. Experimental design was a split-split, randomized complete block with three replications. Three nitrogen levels (0, 75 and 150 kg ha-1) and plant densities (70x10, 70x20 and 70x30 cm) were applied in three grain sorghum cultivars. Generally, nitrogen and plant density had no effect on plant height and stalk length. The effect of nitrogen on grain yield per plant was usually non-significant and increased plant densities tended to increase grain yield per plant. Both nitrogen and plant density have positively affected grain yield per unit area. The effects of cultivar, nitrogen level and plant density on flag leaf area were changeable and dependent on both years and locations. One thousand grain weight was mainly determined by both cultivar and plant density. It may be concluded that increased nitrogen and plant density levels generally give the best results in grain yield and yield components in sorghum.