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Sorghum is considered to be of African origin and subsequently spread to most countries in tropical and subtropical regions. Sorghum has outstanding resistance against drought conditions. Grain and fodder from sorghum plants have been used for man's and animals' consumption respectively for many decades. Experiments were conducted on Yasothon soil series (Oxic Paleustults) in Northeast Thailand, this is considered a poor soil. Growth parameters of sorghum were affected most by nitrogen chemical fertiliser followed by potassium chemical fertiliser. An increase in nitrogen level increased growth parameters and seed yields/ha of the sorghum plants whilst an increase in potassium also increased growth parameters and seed yields but to a lesser extent. High application rates of both nitrogen and potassium were required to achieve high total dry weights and seed yields/ha. Fermented cattle manure significantly increased growth parameters of the sorghum plants and soil properties. were also improved by cattle manure. Total dry weights and seed yields/ha were affected most by seasons and treatments whilst seasons x treatments had highly significant effects on seed yields/ha but not total dry weights/ha. In terms of economic viewpoint, optimum application rates for nitrogen at a range of 300-450 kg N/ha and 100 kg K20/ha for potassium plus 40 tonnes/ha of fermented cattle manure were the recommended rates for optimum above ground total dry weight (15,940-26,282 kg/ha) and seed yield (5,047- 6,374 kg/ha) of IS 23585 forage sorghum cultivar on Yasothon soil series. An increase in nitrogen fertiliser application increased estimated crude protein (CP) of the sorghum plants whilst potassium did not. Both nitrogen and potassium had no Significant effects on acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and dry matter degradability (DMO). However, seasons had significant effects on CP, NDF, ADF, DMD and brix values. Treatments also had significant effects on all components except DMD, and brix values. Seasons x treatments had significant effects on all components except CP and brix values.

Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Sulphur (S) is an essential element for plant and animal nutrition, but widespread deficiencies of S occur world wide. Current recommendations for nitrogen (N):S ratios are 15 to 18:1 and 10 to 12:1 for plant and animal nutrition, respectively; but recent information suggests these may not predict animal response. Sorghum is an important crop, particularly in drier climatic regions but little is known concerning S-nutrition for sorghum growth or utilization of S-fertilized forages. Sorghum "Pioneer 947" was grown on a Lucy loamy sand (loamy, siliceous, thermic Arenic Kandiudult) in King William County, VA, with and without S fertilization (0 vs. 138 kg S ha⁻¹ as ammonium sulphate) in a randomized block design with four replications. Sulphur fertilization decreased (P < 0.05) soil pH and increased soil S in the 0 to 25 cm (P < 0.08) and 25 to 50 cm (P < 0.05) soil layers. An increase in Mehlich-I extractable soil P, Mn (P < 0.05) and soil N0₃-N (P < 0.06) at surface 25 cm layer occurred with S-fertilization. At harvest, S-fertilization increased (P < 0.05) S and water soluble carbohydrates and decreased (P < 0.05) N:S ratio and P concentration in whole plants. Sorghum leaves were higher (P < 0.05) in N, S, Ca, Mn and Cu in S fertilized compared to non-S fertilized sorghum. Sulphur fertilization decreased (P < 0.05) concentration of hydrocyanic acid (HCN) in the upper three leaves. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with the Lucy soil and 'Pioneer 947' sorghum to further investigate effects of fertilization (0, 70, and 140 kg S ha ⁻¹) as ammonium sulphate in a completely randomized design with five replications. Sulphur application decreased soil pH, and extractable soil K linearly (P < 0.01), and increased extractable soil S linearly (P < 0.01). / Ph. D.