Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Yield, Juice Quality and Nutrient Uptake in Sweet Sorghum [Sorghum biocolor (L.) Moench] Grown on Vertisol

A field experiment was conducted on Typic Haplustert at Research Farm, Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani (M.S.), India in rainy season of 2005-06. The soil was slightly alkaline (pH 8.2) and low in available N (231 kg ha^-1) and moderate in availability of P₂O₅ (15 kg ha^-1) and high in K₂O (472 kg ha^-1) having DTPA extractable Zn and Fe 0.79 and 4.29 mg kg^-1, respectively. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with seven treatments replicated thrice. The sweet sorghum variety used was HES-04. Inorganic fertilizers were applied as per recommended dose of fertilizer and micronutrients as per treatment through chemical fertilizers. However, Azotobacter and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were used for seed treatment before sowing. Vermicompost was applied @ 2.5 Mg ha^-1 as per treatment at the time of sowing. Green stalk and grain yield, chemical analysis, Juice extraction, total soluble solid (°Brix), reducing and non-reducing sugars were determined at physiological maturity using standard procedures. The grain and green stalk yield of sorghum was significantly improved by application of inorganic fertilizers @ 50% RDF+vermicompost and micronutrients (Zn and Fe) along with seed treatment of biofertlizers. Similarly, addition of micronutrients also has contributed in increasing yield of crop. Quality of sweet sorghum in terms of juice extraction (%), °brix, reducing and non-reducing sugar was also found to increase with different integrated management practices particularly with application of 50% RDF+vermicompost+biofertilizer along with micronutrients. Comparatively higher nutrient concentration of NPK in grain and stover was found in 50% RDF along with micronutrients and Fe and Zn in stover was found higher in same treatment.