Yields of no-till planted grain sorghum after clover and wheat were significantly higher than conventionally planted mono-cropped grain sorghum, an Alabama A & M University study found. The results were due to additional nitrogen supplied by the clover and because more soil moisture was available in no-till treatments.

Dave Mays and U.R. Bishnoi at A & M have been studying the effects of different weed control methods and row spacings on no-till planted, double-cropped grain sorghum after wheat and clover compared with conventionally planted. mono-cropped grain sorghum. Three cultural systems were evaluated: sorghum planted in a conventionally.prepared seedbed; no-till planted sorghum in forage wheat sod; and no-till planted sorghum in clover sod. Each system included three row spacings (45, 60. and 90 centimeters) and three weed control methods (none, mechanical, and herbicide use). Lime, phosphorus, and potassium were applied according to soil tests and nitrogen was applied to all plots at the rate of 96 kilograms per hectare.

In addition to yields of 5,134 kilograms per hectare of sorghum after clover and 4,934 kilograms per hectare of sorghum after wheat grain sorghum produced significantly higher yields in narrow, 5-centimeter rows than at the of 60- and 90 centimeter spacings in all planting systems, primarily because there were more plants per unit of area. There were no significant differences in yield and grain protein content among the weed control methods, except after wheat. when reduced yields occurred on the check plots.