Response of Newly Developed Genotypes of Forage Sorghum to Zinc Levels and Bacterial Inoculation

A field experiment was conducted during summer seasons of 2005 and 2006 at CSWRl, Avikanagar (Rajasthan) under transfer of technology project in Ghotiroad Malpura, to find out the production potential of 3 sorghum genotypes (“SSG 1000”, “SSG 117” and “SSG 887”). Observations on growth parameters, green fodder and dry matter production indicated that maximum was increased in “SSG887, genotype compared to SSGI000” and “SSG 117“ genotypes. However, “SSG887“ genotype gave the maximum biomass production (330.22 and 333.08 q/ha) than that of other genotypes. Similarly application of zinc had significant effect on growth and green fodder yield of new genotypes of forage sorghum and these were increased constantly with each successive level of zinc from 0 to 20 kg/ha. But both the levels of zinc 10 and 20 kg/ha were found significantly superior over to no zinc applied in term of higher plant height, more number of leaves/plant, nodes/plant, dry matter production/plant and green forage yield during both the years. Besides, bacterial seed inoculation (Azospirillum) caused significant increased in green fodder and dry matter yield and all growth attributes of forage sorghum.