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On-farm Experiments as a Diagnostic Method: Constraints to Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Sorghum in Semi-arid Tropical India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

Karen Ann Dvořák
Karen Ann Dvořák
Affiliation:
Agro-Economic Division, International Fertilizer Development Center, Muscle Shoals, AL and Resource Management Program, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India
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Summary

On-farm diagnostic experiments were used to study constraints to nitrogen fertilizer use, define recommendation domains, and test fertilizer management techniques for two sorghum cropping systems in semi-arid tropical India. In the post-rainy season sorghum cropping system, nitrogen fertilizer use remains negligible because crop response is poor when sorghum is planted after the end of the monsoon, as is traditional. An earlier planting date would introduce high risks. In the dependable rainfall region, nitrogen fertilizer use on hybrid sorghum could be enhanced by tailoring recommendations to broad farmer-designated soil groups, and by educational programmes on the use of complex fertilizers. Additional research on fertilizer efficiencies on shallow Vertisols is needed. Diagnostic experiments proved a useful, relatively rapid and low cost method of research when complemented by farm management and on-station research data.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 28 , Issue 2 , April 1992 , pp. 155 - 164
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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References

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