Effect of different nutrient management practices on yield and yield attributes of sorghum crop

The present investigation examined the effects of integrated use of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on the growth, yield, and yield-attributing characters of sorghum over two consecutive cropping seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25). Various nutrient management treatments involving chemical fertilizers, organic manures, and biofertilizers were evaluated. The findings clearly revealed that integrated nutrient management practices significantly improved all yield and yield-related attributes when compared to the control treatment. Among the different treatments, the application of 100% Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) supplemented with biofertilizers, namely Azotobacter and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), consistently produced the highest yield and superior yield attributes in both years of study. The treatment comprising 75% RDF combined with vermicompost and biofertilizers ranked as the second most effective option. In contrast, the control treatment exhibited the lowest values for all measured parameters. The enhanced performance under integrated treatments was mainly due to balanced and sustained nutrient supply, improved soil microbial activity, and increased nutrient uptake efficiency. Overall, the study emphasizes that the combined use of organic manures and biofertilizers with inorganic fertilizers is an effective and sustainable approach for enhancing sorghum productivity and maintaining long-term soil fertility.