Technology for the Production of Sorghum for Grain in the Vertisols of Campeche, Mexico

Abstract

This research was conducted in the state of Campeche, Mexico, between 2017 and 2018. On the one hand, the sorghum yield was explored in plots with Vertisol-type soils, which were supplied with rainwater. This had the purpose of knowing the results obtained by the producers in the area. On the other hand, an experiment was established with three factors: the genetic material of sorghum, planting density and fertilization. Finally, different varieties of soybeans and sorghum hybrids were also tested in large plots, to identify those that are best adapted to crop rotation. In the farmers’ plots, the grain yield was between 4377 and 5543 kg ∙ ha − 1 . The planting density was from 142,667 to 197,334 plants per hectare, which indicated that, for each unit that increased the planting density, the yield increased by 37.5 grams. The experiment with three factors indicated that the best planting density was 300 thousand plants per hectare, with a grain yield of 5176 kg ∙ ha − 1 ; and the best hybrids were DKS-32 and SYN5515, with grain yields of 5794 and 3791 kg ∙ ha − 1 , respectively; likewise, the best dose of fertilizer was between 150 and 200 kg ∙ ha − 1 of diammonium phosphate, with a grain yield of 4527 - 4562 kg ∙ ha − 1 . In relation to crop rotation, the varieties that stood out for their yield were Huasteca 300 and Vernal, in the case of soybeans; and the hybrids DKS-32 and SYN5515, in sorghum. Soybeans suffered greatly in their early stages of development from the excessive moisture retained by the soil, while sorghum seemed to be little affected by the lack of rain; for this reason, advancing the sowing date in soybeans and consequently in sorghum, is a strategy that could benefit grain yield in both species.