Abstract
A field study was conducted to determine the effect of different rates of organic and inorganic fertilizers on
fodder yield of sorghum at Postgraduate Agricultural Research Station (PARS), University of Agriculture,
Faisalabad, Pakistan during 2005. Various fertilizer applications involving synthetic and organic fertilizers
alone and in variable combinations were evaluated. Significant effect of these treatments was indicated for
germination count m-2, plant height, number of plants m-2 at harvest, number of leaves plant-1, leaf area
plant-1 and green fodder yield. The maximum green fodder yield (16 t ha-1) was recorded in the treatment
where inorganic fertilizer (NP) were applied @ 75:60 kg ha-1 while the minimum green fodder yield (20.9 t
ha-1) was observed in the control treatment. It was suggested that the use of recommended dose of
inorganic fertilizers (N:P @ of 75:60 kg ha-1) proved to be best than all other treatments. However the
combination of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures i.e. (50% NP +50% poultry manures kg ha-1) can
be utilized for exploiting the yield potential of sorghum cultivar JS 88 under given set of conditions. It was
concluded that although green fodder yield was increased with the application of inorganic fertilizers,
however, green fodder yield obtained with a combination of inorganic fertilizers and organic sources, was
as good as with inorganic fertilizers alone. Continuous use of FYM with inorganic fertilizers not only
increases the availability of nutrients but also improves soil fertility and ultimately enhances fodder
production. Thus, integrated use of inorganic fertilizers and organic sources has been suggested to exploit
the yields of fodder sorghum besides improving physical structure and fertility status of soil. Reduction of
overall cost of production and increased income also help to raise the living standards of the farmers.
