Influence of legume residue and nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) in Bauchi state, Nigeria

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University teaching and research farm Bauchi (10^o22' N and 9^o47'E) and also at Bulkachuwa village of Katagum LGA. (11^o38'N and 10^o31'E) both in Bauchi state, during the rainy seasons of 2011 and 2012 to determine the influence of legume residue and nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). The treatments consist of two legumes (cowpea and soybean), nitrogen fertilizer applied at the rate of 0, 15, 30 and 60kgN/ha, both used to determine the performance of a Sorghum (variety; KSV 8). The legumes were sown in the first year while using the same site/plots, sorghum was then sown in the second year. The experiment was laid out in both years using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated three times. No data were collected on the legumes in the first year while data collected on sorghum in the second year included; plant height, number of leaves, 1000 grain weight and grain yield (kg/ha). The results of the experiment revealed that, growing sorghum on cowpea and soybean residue had significant (P≤0.05) effect on all the characters measured than on fallow. The results further revealed that, application of nitrogen fertilizer at the rate of 60kgN/ha gave significantly (P≤0.01) higher effects on all the characters studied than when the other rates were used. Control plots on the other hand recorded the least. It was also observed that, siting the experiment at Bauchi significantly (P≤0.05) produced higher yield than when the experiment was carried out at Bulkachuwa. Studies on interaction revealed that, irrespective of the location used, application of 60kgN/ha following cowpea and soybean in rotation significantly (P≤0.01) increased yield of sorghum. Based on the results obtained, application of 60kgN/ha as top dress to sorghum grown on cowpea or soybean residue should be adopted by farmers in and around Bauchi state for higher yield.
Key words: Legume, Residue, Nitrogen, Sorghum, Yieldabusafiyyabkc@yahoo.com