Effect of Some Water Harvesting Techniques on Productivity of Two Sorghum Cultivars in North Gedarif Area

Abstract

The experimental work was carried out at the Demonstration
Farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Environment,
University of Gedarif in the northern area of Gedarif State for four
seasons (2006/07,2007/08 , 2008/09 and 2009/10) to investigate the effect
of some water harvesting techniques on the productivity of two sorghum
cultivars in north Gedarif. The experiment was laid out in a split plot
design with three replications; the main plots assigned to four water
harvesting techniques. Closed furrow at one end, open furrow at the two
ends, closed furrow at the two ends, and a terrace in addition to traditional
farmers practice as a control treatment. Sub plots were assigned to two
sorghum cultivars: Arfa Gadamac and Wad Ahmed That water harvesting
techniques significantly increased the storage capacity of the soil which
was reflected significantly in increasing the grain yield by 56%, 50% 33%
and 17% for the open furrow at the one end, closed furrow at the two
ends, open furrow at the two ends and terrace, as compared to the flat
(control), respectively. Arfa Gadamac variety gave a high grain yield
(414.5 kg/fed) compared to Wad Ahmed (284.7kg/fed). From this study it
can be concluded that closed furrow at one end, closed furrow at two
ends, open furrow at two ends techniques could be used successfully by
small farmers in north Gedarif area to increase sorghum productivity.
Based on its low yield, Wad Ahmed sorghum cultivar is not
recommended for north Gedarif area even under water harvesting
techniques