Water requirement and growth of sorghum over semi-arid region in Deccan Plateau

Abstract

Based on the result of an experiment conducted from 1978-86 during post-rainy crop season at Solapur, crop coefficients for sorghum during different stages of growth were determined. A model has been developed for relating consumptive use of water at different phenological stages in relation to climatic parameters and crop water needs. The extent to which water requirements of the crop are met and water use efficiency have been discussed.
 The water requirement appears to be maximum at tasseling/flowering phases of sorghum growth. It works out at 4 mm per day under Solapur environment. The seasonal rainfall in post-rainy season does not appear to furnish a reliable estimate of the yield.