ARS | Publication request: Water Use Efficiency Studies on Continuous Dryland Grain Sorghum in Response to Planting Date and Geometry

Submitted to: Asa-Cssa-Sssa Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: May 3, 2004
Publication Date: October 5, 2004
Citation: Ambati, S., Payne, W.A., Stewart, B.A., Bronson, K.F., Baumhardt, R.L. 2004. Water Use Efficiency Studies On Continuous Dryland Grain Sorghum In Response To Planting Date And Geometry. [cd-Rom]. Asa-Cssa-Sssa, Seattle, Wa. Annual Meetings Abstracts 2004.

Technical Abstract: Crop production in drylands is influenced by the amount of water availability and efficient water utilization during the season. The objective of this research was to evaluate and optimize the date of planting, choice of cultivars and population densities for improved yield and water use efficiency of grain sorghum in Texas High Plains region. Three dates of planting as early (late April), middle (mid June) and late (early July) were evaluated at four planting densities of 38 cm row spacing @ 80,000 seed ha-1, 38 cm @ 160,000, 76 cm @ 40,000 and 76 cm @ 80,000 seeds ha -1 using two Pioneer brand hybrids-8925 (95-day duration) and 8699 (105-day duration) in split-split plot experimental design at USDA-ARS-Conservation and Production Research Laboratory at Bushland, TX, during the year 2000-2003. Precipitation values were very low for all the years of study compared to the long term averages of the region. Emergence, tiller number, head number, grain yield, biomass, 200-seed weight and grain water use efficiencies were determined for all the treatments. Grain sorghum planted during mid or late June with shorter duration cultivars using planting density of 76 cm @ 80,000 seeds ha-1 yield better than the other planting dates and densities. For higher biomass production, narrow row planting during early May with longer duration cultivar is suggested for this region.