Optimizing Sorghum Productivity Using Balanced Fertilizers on Dryland

Sorghum is the fifth most required cereal crop globally. Sorghum bicolor has the advantage of being adaptive to both lowland and dryland, with drought-tolerant and wide adaptability. The low nutrient availability in dryland requires additional effective fertilizers to increase sorghum productivity. The research aimed to assess the application of organic, inorganic, and biofertilizers for sorghum productivity on dryland. Research in Central Java, Indonesia as dryland sorghum areas, from November 2022 to February 2023. The experiment cooperates with the farmers in a split-plot design, the main plot was two varieties and subplots of four fertilizers. The enhanced sorghum yield (21.38%–36.06%) with combined fertilizer was greater than the existing fertilization. Nutrient control does not rely on inorganic fertilizers but also on applying biofertilizers. The sorghum farming economic value farming indicated that combinations of fertilizer treatments and varieties provide benefits of USD 929.81–1955.81 with a revenue-cost ratio (R/C) value >1. Sorghum is an essential food commodity that faces the threat of the global crisis and an unfavorable environment. This study indicated balanced fertilizers could provide sufficient nutrients to the soil and increase nutrient absorption availability for sorghum growth and productivity. Balanced fertilization increases the uptake of N, P, and K nutrients correlates with an increase in yield of 21.38%–36.06%.