Abstract:
Objectives We investigated the dry matter and nitrogen (N) accumulation and transportation of waxy sorghum under different planting patterns and densities, to provide technical support for high efficient cultivation of waxy sorghum in Guizhou Province.
Methods A split plot experiment was conducted in Guizhou Agricultural University, using sorghum cultivar ‘Hongyingzi’ as test material. The main plots were two planting patterns: equal row (60 cm wide, MD), and wide-narrow row (40 cm+80 cm, MK). The subplots were planting densities: 8.25×104 plants/hm2 (D8.25), 9.75×104 plants/hm2 (D9.75), 11.25×104 plants/hm2 (D11.25), and 12.75×104 plants/hm2 (D12.75) and 14.25×104 plants/hm2 (D14.25). The dry matter and N accumulation were investigated before and after flowering stage, and the transportation rate of dry matter and N before flowering and the yield of waxy sorghum were analyzed.
Results Compared to MD, MK increased grain yield by 10.01%, dry matter accumulation before and after flowering by 10.63% and 7.59%, N accumulation before and after flowering by 12.62% and 8.78%, the total dry matter and N accumulation by 9.70% and 10.88% on average. The transfer amount of dry matter and nitrogen in MK mode was 3.00% and 17.37% higher than those in MD mode. With the increase of planting density, the waxy sorghum yield and the accumulation and transportation of dry matter and N increased first and then decreased, and all the parameters reached the maximum under D11.25 in MD and D12.75 in MK mode. Compared with MD-D11.25 treatment, MK-D12.75 increased yield by 9.40%, total dry matter accumulation before and after flowering by 12.44% and 11.76% and the total N accumulation before and after flowering by 12.08% and 13.44%, and the dry matter and nitrogen transportation by 4.42% and 18.90%, respectively. Quadratic curve fitting of yield and density showed that the maximum yield density in MK mode was 12.18×104 plants/hm2, which was higher than that in MD mode (11.75×104 plants/hm2).
Conclusions The wide-narrow row planting (MK mode) allows a higher planting density compared to the equal row planting (MD mode), which can notably augment the yield and facilitate the accumulation and transportation of dry matter and nitrogen of waxy sorghum. Based on the current experimental conditions, it is advisable to maintain a density of 12.18×104 plants/hm2 to attain a higher yield in Guizhou.