ACCUMULATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF NPK IN ABOVE GROUND PARTS OF GRAIN SORGHUM AND MAIZE IN INTENSIVE PRODUCTION

In intensive production, commercial hybrids of grain sorghum and maize were compared in terms of production and distribution of aboveground parts, NPK content in aboveground parts and efficiency of plant nutrient utilization. Yield of total aboveground biomass was higher in maize than in sorghum, and the highest ratio of yield belonged to grain, both in sorghum and maize. Nitrogen content in all aboveground plants was higher in sorghum than in maize. Phosphorus content was the highest both in sorghum and maize grain, and was nearly identical. In other plant parts P content was higher in sorghum. Potassium content was the highest in stalk, both in sorghum and maize. Maize utilized plant nutrients more efficiently than sorghum, but due to its higher harvest index for NPK, lower amounts of nutrients were returned to soil through harvest residues.