ABSTRACT
A field experiment was carried out at the teaching and research farm of Delta State University, Asaba Campus, to determine the influence of three varieties of sorghum and different planting dates on the growth and yield of sorghum. The experiment was a split – plot layout in a randomized complete block design, replicated three times. The main plots were the three varieties (SSV – 2004, KSV- 8 and Samsorg- 41), while the subplots were assigned to the different planting dates (July, August, September and October). Data on growth parameters were collected at three- week interval starting from 3rd weeks after sowing and later on yield parameters after physiological maturity. The results showed that significant differences (P≤0.05) were observed among the different varieties and planting dates on both growth and yield parameters. The results indicated that variety KSV-8 and August planting proved superior to others both in growth and yield parameters assessed. Variety KSV-8 with 1, 803.7kg and August planting with 2,786.1kg out performed others in kgha-1 yield respectively. The result of interaction showed that variety X planting date significantly affected all the yield parameters assessed except yield in kg per hectare. The study thus, recommended that, in the Asaba rain forest zone, variety KSV-8 should be planted in August for maximum productivity of Sorghum. |
