Grain sorghum – managing irrigation, nitrogen, hybrid selection and plant population – Breeza 2012–13

Abstract

Key findings • The use of one in crop irrigation increased grain yields by 0.86 t/ha, reduced grain protein by 0.5% and increased 1000 grain weight. • Increasing plant populations from 50 to 100 or 150,000 plants/ha increased grains yields by 0.5 and 0.7 t/ha, respectively. MR 43 and MR Bazley were more responsive to increasing plant population than Enforcer. • Varying nitrogen (N) rate had little impact on grain yield or quality at Breeza in 2012–13. The primary impact of N application was on increasing grain protein levels with each additional rate of N. • Individual hybrids had varying impacts from altering the management practices. MR 43 and MR Bazley performed similarly under most variations. Enforcer was lower yielding regardless of agronomic management.