Abstract
Grain and stover yields of RS 671 grain sorghum were measured at Barranquitas in an Oxisol and at Corozal in an Ultisol. Measurements were made of weather factors, soil moisture content and tension, plant growth, water deficits and rooting depths. At each site a plot was irrigated as often as necessary to maintain a soil water tension of less than 1 bar. Nonirrigated plots at Corozal were watered whenever necessary to prevent plants from wilting permanently. During a prolonged drought and at grain filling, sorghum extracted water in the Oxisol to a depth of 120 cm. Plants became water stressed after the soil water tension at a depth of 90 cm reached 15 bars. In the Ultisol, sorghum plants were unable to effectively extract available soil moisture at depths below 45 cm. Both plant growth and grain yield were greater in the Oxisol than in the Ultisol. The relative soil compaction of the Ultisol was greater than that of the Oxisol.