The development of irrigated pastures in the Sudan is still at its infancy. The present study determined the influence of 2 cutting heights (2.5 and 5.0 cm) and 4 cutting frequencies (4-, 6-, S-, and 10-week) on forage yield as dry matter and forage sucrose of Rhodes grass {Chloris gayana Kunth. cv. Massaba) and Ruzi grass {Brachiaria rnziziensis Germain et Everard cv. Congo Signal) under irrigated conditions. Forage yield interactions involving species X cutting height x cutting frequency were significant. These yield interactions were attributed to differences in growth period and growth rhythm of the two species. On average, Rhodes exhibited a short growth period (13 months) compared to Ruzi grass (20 months). Forage yield and forage sucrose were, on average, superior in Ruzi compared to Rhodes grass. Forage yield and forage sucrose averaged 5.2 t ha"' and 7.2 % fw sucrose in Ruzi compared to 2.8 t ha"' and 6.9 % fw sucrose in Rhodes grass. Forage yield and forage sucrose of both species were negatively correlated with cutting frequency. The highest forage yield may be obtained at an 8-week cutting frequency in Rhodes (45.6 t ha"' yr'') compared to a 10-week cutting frequency in Ruzi grass (88 t ha"' yr"'). Results suggest that very high forage yields as dr)m atter and forage sucrose of Rhodes and Ruzi grass may be possible under irrigated conditions in the Sudan at a cutting frequency of between 8 to 10 weeks.
Delaying harvest of P988 from the boot stage to the maturity stage significantly reduced 1) forage greenchop yield of P988 grown on Striga-iniested soil at 1st and 3rd harvest of July sowing and at 3rd harvest of October sowing, 2) root dry weight of P988 grown on Sm'gd-infested soil at 3rd harvest of July and October sowing, and 3) forage sucrose of P988 grown on Striga-'miesied soil at 3rd harvest of July sowing and at 1st and 3rd harvest of October sowing. Reductions in forage greenchop yield of P988 with successive harvests were accelerated by Striga infestations. The root dry weight was significantly greater from P988 plants grown from small compared to large seed. Delaying harvest of P988 to the maturity stage was associated with significant increases in number of open Striga flowers at 1st and 2nd harvest from October planting and in Striga shoot dry weight at 1st harvest of July and 1st and 2nd harvest of October planting. These increases were positively correlated with forage sucrose of P988. Results suggest that optimal forage greenchop yield on 5trig(i-infested soil may be obtained from P988 plants grown from small seed and harvested at the boot stage.
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