Influence of seed rate and row spacing across on two different maturity groups of sorghum grain yield and quality characteristics

Széchenyi István University, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, 9200 Mosonmagyaróvár Vár tér 2., Hungary

Abstract

The goal of this resesrch is to develop cultivation practices that optimize the economical cultivation of sorghum, taking into account current environmental factors., by determining the optimal seeding rate and row spacing for two different maturity groups of sorghum hybrids, RGT Icebergg (early) and RGT Huggo (mid-early). In this context, we examine the maximum achievable yield and quality characteristics. The experiment involved different plant densities: 210,000, 240,000, 270,000, and 300,000 plants/ha, and three different row spacings: 25, 45, and 76 cm. Through conducted experiments, significant differences have been observed in harvest moisture content, hectoliter weight, protein content, head size, and plant height. Significant differences were observed in the average number of head per square meter. Although similar average protein levels were measured for different genotypes, there were differences in their stability. Increasing row spacing decreased hectoliter weight, while increasing seeding rates increased it. Harvest moisture content was significantly higher with wider row spacings, while increasing plant density resulted in a slight decrease in moisture content. Looking at the average of the tested hybrids, the row spacing of 45 cm and the number of seed of 300,000 plants/ha are the most ideal combination to achieve the yield.