Effects of Drainage Depths on Agronomic Characteristics, Yield and Feed Value of Sorghum × Sudangrass Hybrid for Silage in the Paddy Field of Lowland

Assessment of weather events impacts on forage production trend of sorghum-sudangrass hybrid

“…The weather data, including temperature, rainfall and sunshine duration, were collected from the Korean Meteorological Administration [KMA] via open-application programming interface (API). For inclusion of the weather event during the monsoon season, rainfall per hour was considered to differentiate heavy rainfall from ordinary rainfalls [ 11 ]. Where, the frequency and total amount were considered based on the hourly heavy rainfall and accumulated rainfall in July, respectively.…”

“…Furthermore, due to the reliable regrowth, sorghum-sudangrass hybrid can produce more forage production through additional harvest [ 10 ]. For sorghum-sudangrass hybrid that grows at a warmer temperature than silage maize, livestock farmers prefer headless type to heading type in Korea [ 11 ]. Cultivation of sorghum-sudangrass hybrid is advantageous due to flexibility of management options.…”

“…The crop accumulates great amount of lignocellulosic biomass with fermentable sugars and starch [ 13 ]. Although forage quality was negatively related to cellulosic biomass production, some headless sorghum-sudangrass hybrids remains longer in a vegetative growth stage and maintain its quality [ 11 ]. Furthermore, in terms of production economics, cost per ton of sorghum forage production was the lowest comparing with switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.), reed canarygrass ( Phalaris arundinacea L.), big bluestem ( Andropogon gerardii Vitman var.…”

“…However, there was no consideration of climate and weather. For the forage production trend of whole crop maize in Korea [ 11 ], heavy rainfall during the monsoon season lead to substantial production reduction. Furthermore, due to the increasing frequency and intensity of heavy rain, forecasted corn production can be reduced by up to 70% of the past 30-years’ average.…”