Nitrogen efficiency in grain sorghum

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Abstract
A 2 yr study using 12 hybrids was conducted and N efficiency was calculated as total dry matter (DM) per unit N uptake (NE1); total grain yield per unit N uptake (NE2); and the product of NE2 and the grain N:stover N ratio (NE3). NE1 values increased with plant age and were significantly different among hybrids at all stages of growth. A 20% difference in NE1 was found between the least and most efficient hybrids at maturity. A significant hybrid .times. year interaction showed that the environment strongly influenced hybrid ranking. Hybrids which ranked high in one yr often did poorly the other year and visa versa for NE1, NE2 or NE3. Each N efficiency criterion ranked the hybrids differently, although NE1 and NE2 apparently were the most closely related. Hybrids generally maintained satisfactory values for NE3 if 1 parent (either male or female) had a high NE3 value in hybrid combination. Differences were more dramatic for partitioning of N between grain and stover than for NE value among hybrids. Due to environmental influences, at least 3 or more yr of data may be needed to establish consistent trends for N efficiency in grain sorghum.

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