Incorporated Sorghum Residues Reduce Emergence and Seedling Growth of Some Crops

Abstract

Allelochemicals from sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] residues may inhibit the emergence and growth of other crops. We examined the effects of residues from two sorghum landraces, IS9456, a high sorgoleone producer, and IS22320, a zero sorgoleone producer. Residues were applied at 7.2 g, 14.4 g and 21.6 g kg-1 of soil. Emergence and the growth of maize (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were tested in three glasshouse pot experiments at the University of Zimbabwe in 2017. The 2×3 factorial experiments were laid as a randomized complete block design with six replications. Residues from IS22320 significantly (P<0.05) reduced the emergence of maize by 22.2% compared to residues from IS9456. Sorghum variety as a source of residue did not significantly (P>0.05) reduce the emergence, height, chlorophyll content or dry weight of soybean. Increasing the residue rate significantly (P<0.05) reduced the percent emergence, height, chlorophyll content and dry weight of soybean. There was a significant sorghum variety × residue application rate interaction on the percent emergence (P<0.001) and chlorophyll content (P<0.05) of wheat. Increasing the IS9456 residue application rate from 7.2 to 14.4 g kg-1 soil increased the chlorophyll content of wheat. The timing of maize and wheat planting after sorghum residue incorporation may be critical.

EFFECT OF SOME AGRICULTURAL PROCESS ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor L.) (ARTICLE REVIEW)

“…Sekou et al (2020) Significant differences between eight cultivars of sorghum and the superiority of two cultivars FADDA and FPHWG in grain yield over the grain yield of the other cultivars studied, grain yield of each cultivar was 4 tons/ha. Tibugari et al (2021) indicated that the variety IS22320 was superior in plant height and Chlorophyll Content Index compared with the cultivar IS9456.…”