Quality Traits in Forage Sorghum Harvested at Early Head Emergence and at Physiological Maturity¹

Abstract

Information about the extent of variation in quality traits among plants sampled at the same developmental stage but on different dates would be useful to forage researchers. The primary purpose of this study was to obtain such information for five forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivars. Percent dry matter, crude protein, and in vitro dry matter disappearance of leaf, stem, and whole plant samples were determined for field‐grown samples harvested on three different days during early head emergence (EHE) and once during physiological maturity (PM) for each cultivar. Orthogonal comparisons between EHE and PM sampling stages and among the EHE samples were made. Results of the 2‐year study indicated that statistically significant differences existed among EHE samples and between EHE and PM samples. However, differences among EHE samples were generally much smaller than those between EHE and PM samples and may be of little importance for some applications.

Evaluation of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) for superior quality, yield and resistance to insect-pests

“…On the basis of above observations, it is concluded that SPV 2455 and SPV 2449 and SPH 1858 were found promising having maximum plant height green and dry fodder yield, crude protein, minimum HCN content and IVDMD. Generally, there is decrease in IVDMD and crude protein as plant advances in maturity (Pedersen et al, 1983). wwww Evaluation of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) for superior quality, yield and resistance to insect-pests…”

Ensilage potential and nutritional value of Columbus grass (Sorghum almum Parodi) at different phenology and storage duration in the derived savanna zone of Nigeria

“…Crop maturation is a highly complex process that involves numerous changes in plant biochemical composition and architecture, which may influence forage quality. For instance, the process of sorghum grain filling intensively remobilizes nutrients from root reserves and other storage parts of the plant, thereby influencing the forage quality of sorghum variety (Pedersen et al, 1983; Smith, 1986; Snyman & Joubert, 1997; Torrecillas et al, 2011; Vanderlip, 1993). Furthermore, sorghum grain fraction increases the crude protein (CP) and decreases the acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentration of the whole plant.…”