Effect of Sowing Date and Nitrogen Rate on Growth, Yield Components of Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L.) and Nitrogen Use Efficiency

A field experiment was conducted at the College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology in Khartoum (Shambat). During summer season in 2011/2012 and 2012/2013, to study the effect of Sowing date and nitrogen rate on yield and yield components of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and nitrogen use efficiency . The cultivar used was Wad Ahmed. The experiment designed used was split plot arrangement in a randomized complete block design (CRBD) with three replications. The main plots were four sowing date on 1 th July (S1), 15th July (S2), 1th August (S3) and 15th August (S4). Subplots were four Fertilizer rate control (No), 45kg/ha (N1), 90kg/ha (N2) and 135kg/ha (N3). Growth parameter which studied was plant height, leaves number /plant and leaf area. In addition yield components were length of head, weight of seeds /plant, weight of 100.seeds, grain yield, and harvest index and nitrogen use efficiency. The general trend was that sowing date had significant effect on leaf area, harvest index in seasons, leaves number and grain yield in season one, length of head and weight of 100.seeds in season two. Generally application of fertilizer resulted in significant affect on grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency in both seasons, leaves number /plant in season two.