Soil Health and Yield Dynamics under Nitrogen Substitution and Microbial Inoculants of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

Volume 15, Issue 58, 2026 (April – June)


Research Article
Soil Health and Yield Dynamics under Nitrogen Substitution and Microbial Inoculants of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)
Akash Inaniyan, Babu Lal Choudhary, Mahaveer Prsad Ola and Narayan Prajapat
Keywords: Sorghum, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), Nitrogen Fertilization, Azospirillum, Grain Yield
DOI:10.37273/chesci.cs022057051


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Abstract

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is a vital cereal crop cultivated in semi-arid regions due to its resilience to drought and adaptability to marginal soils. Efficient nutrient management is essential to enhance its productivity. This study evaluated the effect of integrated nitrogen management and biofertilizers on growth parameters, yield attributes, and yield of sorghum. The experiment included five nitrogen treatments combining inorganic nitrogen (urea) with organic sources such as farmyard manure (FYM) and castor cake, along with three biofertilizer treatments (control, Azotobacter, and Azospirillum). The results indicated that integrated nitrogen application significantly improved plant height, leaf area index, tiller number, dry matter accumulation, and chlorophyll content compared to sole chemical fertilization. Among nitrogen treatments, 50% RDN through urea + 50% RDN through FYM recorded the highest growth and yield parameters, including grain yield (2145.67 kg/ha), number of grains per head (1494.67), and harvest index (29.98%). Biofertilizer application, particularly Azospirillum, significantly enhanced growth and yield attributes over control. Interaction effects were non-significant. The study concludes that integrated nutrient management combined with biofertilizers is an effective strategy for sustainable sorghum production.


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