Effect of different irrigation regimes and zeolit super absorbent on the yield and yield components of forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

In order to investigate the effects of different irrigation regimes and zeolit on the yield، yield components and relative leaf water content of sorghum، a field experiment was conducted in split plot in time and space based on randomized complete block design with three replicates in research station of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2011. Irrigation regimes (100، 80، 60 and 40% of field capacity) and different amounts of zeolite (control، 150 and 300 kg ha-1) were arranged as main and sub plots، respectively. Irrigation regimes showed significant effect on all traits (fresh weight، dry mater، height، relative water content etc.) except stem node number. Meantime، all the traits except stem height، relative water content and the crop growth rate at the first and fourth stage of sampling affected by super absorbent so that the highest amount of the measured traits were recorded for 300 kg ha-1 super absorbent. Interaction effect of the irrigation water × SAP × harvest was significant for fresh weight. The highest FW in second harvest belonged to I100 × 300 kg ha-1 SAP. At the end، it can be concluded that application of 300 kg ha-1 super absorbent in irrigation levels lower than field capacity will result in 20% increase in yield.