Influence of Sowing Dates on Seed Setting, Yield and Quality of RABI Sorghum Genotypes
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Date
2017-07
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University of Agricultural Science, Dharwad
Abstract
A Field experiment on four sorghum genotypes was conducted to study the influence of dates of sowing on seed yield and quality traits in rabi sorghum during 2016-17 at the Main Agricultural Research Station (MARS), University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. The experiment consisted of six sowing dates and four genotypes assigned to sub plots in a split plot design with three replications. The phenological results indicated that, the days to 50 per cent flowering, complete flowering and pollen fertility per cent was more under 44th SMW (Standard Meteorological Week) in the genotype BJV-44 (83.33 days, 89.19 days and 90.18 %, respectively). However, the pollen germination per cent was found significantly maximum under 39th SMW in the genotype M 35-1 (63.85 %) and the least was recorded by RS-585 (35.56 %) under 44th SMW sowing.
Further, the yield and yield associated traits decreased with delayed sowing. Significantly higher number of seeds per panicle, seed weight per ear head, seed set per cent, test weight and seed yield was higher under 39th SMW in the genotype BJV-44 (1,403, 69.80 g, 81.13 %, 45.81 g and 1,508 kg ha-1, respectively). The influence of dates of sowing resulted in reduced test weight and seed yield under delayed sowing conditions. Similarly, seed germination, root length, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour index were found significantly higher under 39th SMW in genotype BJV-44 (94.94 %. 15.52 cm, 3535 and 16.23 mg, respectively). However, the shoot length was maximum under 37th SMW in genotype BJV-44 (23.23 cm). The quality parameters of the genotypes were reduced with delay in sowing dates. The results indicated that, genotype BJV-44 was found to be thermo insensitive and higher reproductive efficiency as compared to other genotypes. Thus, it may provide better source for breeding heat tolerant genotypes in rabi sorghum.