Effect of chisel plough shank design on some soil physical properties and sorghum growth and yield attributes in Gardud soil types

Effect of curved and obtuse shank designs of chisel plough on some physical properties of sandy clay loam and sandy clay soil as well as sorghum growth and yield attributes were studied. In sandy clay loam and sandy clay soil, the curved shank chisel design recorded the highest moisture content, porosity and infiltration rate and lowest value of bulk density and highest plant height, number of leaves / plant, leaf area, head weight, 100 seeds weight and yield as compared with obtuse shank chisel. The two ploughs showed better performance in sandy clay loam than in sandy clay soil. The highest crop yield was 1767.0 ton / ha and was recorded by chisel with curved shank in sandy clay loam soil while the lowest yield was 1367.7 kg / ha and it was recorded by chisel with obtuse shank in sandy clay soil. It was concluded that the use of curved shank design in sandy clay loam and sandy clay soil results in better soil properties and crop growth and yield attributes compared to use of obtuse shank and is therefore recommended. Key words: Chisel shank design, North Kordofan, soil physical properties, Sudan