Response of eight sorghum varieties to plant density and nitrogen fertilization in the Sudano-Sahelian zone in Mali

Abstract

This work was conducted to study the performance of eight sorghum varieties that contrasted with intensified practices in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Mali. Two experiments were carried out in 2018 and 2019 rainy seasons at Sotuba Agricultural Research Station in Mali. The experimental design used was a Split-split-plot with three replications and three factors including two plant densities (D1: 26666 plants ha-1 and D2: 53333 plants ha-1) as the main plot, three nitrogen levels (0, 41 and 82 kg N ha-1) as the subplot and varieties as the sub-subplot. Measurements focused on growth and physiological parameters, grain yield and yield components. The results showed that sorghum grain yield was positively correlated with straw yield, leaf area index, grain number per panicle, panicle number per m 2 , panicle weight per m 2 in N0D1 (0 kg N ha-1 and 26666 plants ha-1) and N2D2 (178 kg N ha-1 and 53 333 plants ha-1). Furthermore, straw yield was positively correlated with the leaf area index and panicle weight m-² in N0D1 and in N2D2. Analysis of variance showed that plant density, nitrogen and variety effect on grain and straw yields were significant. The interaction density x nitrogen x variety effect was also significant on grain and straw yields. Grain and straw yields were high in the N2D2 treatment for eight varieties compared to the N0D1 treatment. GRINKAN, C2_075-15 and C2_007-03 varieties had the highest grain and straw yields in N0D1. These caudatum-type varieties could be recommended in less intensive sorghum production areas in Mali. The FADDA variety produced high grain and straw yields in N2D2. Guinea-type hybrid FADDA may be recommended for grain and straw production in intensive sorghum production areas in Mali.

Climate change impacts and adaptation strategies: An assessment on sorghum for Burkina Faso

“…Therefore, improved varieties should respond positively to plant density and nitrogen fertilizer to actually increase yields. A few experimental analyses from various parts of West Africa conducted with various improved varieties have shown significant effects: an increase in density, nitrogen dosage, and grain and straw yields up to 100% (Joseph et al, 2020). We find in our study that replacing current varieties with an improved variety will significantly increase yields under climate change in the northern, dry parts of the country.…”

Adaptation Responses to Early Drought Stress of West Africa Sorghum Varieties

“…Theses varieties differ in terms of days to maturity (90 to 128 days for maturity), height (120 to 450 cm height), response to inputs (hybrid vs. open pollinated varieties caudatum or guinea) and yield (2 to 4.5 t ha −1 ). These varieties are widely cultivated by the farmers due to their adaptability and agronomic characteristics [39][40][41].…”

Unmanned aerial vehicle imagery prediction of sorghum leaf area index under water stress, seeding density, and nitrogen fertilization conditions in the Sahel

“…Sotuba's cumulative annual rainfall and monthly average temperature recorded in 2018 were 840 mm and 27°C respectively. Trial was conducted on a sandy‐silty soil type (96.84%) with a low clay content of 3.85% (Dembélé et al., 2020).…”