Effect of Foliar application of Zinc and Potassium Fertilization on growth . yield and quality characteristics of two varieties of Sorghum bicolor ( L.) Moench

Abstract

Two field experiment ware conducted in a private farm in the city of Rumadi- Anbar in the spring and autumn seasons of 2009, at silt clay loam soil. To study the effects of three levels of Potassium fertilizer (0, 90 and 180) Kg K. ha-1 from potassium sulfate (K %41.5) and three levels Zn add asd foliar application (0, 1 and 2) Kg Zn.ha-1 as Zinc Sulphate (Zn %23). on the growth, yield and quality characteristics of two genotypes of Sorghum (Rabih and Inkath) . The experiment split- split plot with R.C.B.D design was used with three replications. The important result for this study were: Inkath genotype has significant effect on weight of 500 grain, grain yield. harvest index and the percentage of protein in grain in both seasons respectively. The application level 90 Kg K. ha-1 caused highest average for leaf area, weight of 500 grain, grain yield and harvest index in both seasons, While 180 Kg K. ha-1 gives the highest average the percentage of protein in grain (8.14 and 8.09) % in both seasons. Increase level foliar feeding of Zinc have been caused increasment in all the growth, whereat at zinc at level 2 Kg Zn.ha-1 gave high average in both seasons. effect the double and triple interaction had significant effect in most of considered characteristics and Inkath genotype at the middle level of potassium and highest level of Zinc fertilizers (90 Kg K + 2 Kg Zn) . ha-1 give the highest average for leaf area, weight of 500 grain, grain yield (12.64 . 6.76) T. ha-1. while the same genotype at the highest level of both fertilizers (180 Kg K + 2 Kg Zn) . ha-1 give the highest average in percentage of of protein in grain (8.53 and 8.50) % in both seasons. from this study are conclude the Inkath genotype was more efficiency in exploiting the environmental condition and available nutrition especially at the level 90 Kg K. ha-1 with foliar feeding of level 2 Kg Zn is realize highest average in most of the characteristics in both seasons measure with Rabih genotype.