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A field experiment was conducted at R.G.S.C, Banaras Hindu University, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, India during 2016 in kharif season (Sep.-Oct.) The aim was to evaluate the effect of different nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium level on fodder production of sudan grass (Sorghum bicolor var. Sudanese) for optimization of growth and yield, crude protein content and economics of sudan grass. The experimental was laid out in split plot design with four levels of nitrogen i.e. 60 kg N ha1, 80 kg N ha1, 100 kg N ha1 and 120 kg N ha-1 as main plot treatments and in the sub-plot three levels of phosphorus and potassium i.e. 30 kg P2O5+20 kg K2O ha-1, 40 kg P2O5+25 kg K2O ha-1 and 50 kg P2O5+30 kg K2O ha-1) were taken. The research findings revealed that application of nitrogen @ 120 kg ha-1 resulted maximum growth characters i.e. plant height (191.25 cm), number of leaf (8.02 plant-1), fresh weight (124.47 g plant-1), dry weight (21.10 g plant-1) and green fodder production (11455 kg ha-1), and as well as recorded maximum crude protein of sudan grass. The higher net return (` 7920.32 ha1) was also recorded with nitrogen @ 120 kg ha-1 and in case of levels of phosphorus and potassium the application of 50 kg P2O5+30 kg K2O ha-1 enhanced the growth, yield, quality and economics of sudan grass.

During the period 2017-2018, the feed quality and productivity of three Sudan grass varieties – Endje 1, Vercors and Super Sweet, one stabilized Sudan grass population – SWT, local sweet sorghum – „Zaharna metla“ population and the sweet sorghum cultivar “Shumensko sladko” were researched in Agricultural Institute – Shumen. Green mass (t/ha), dry matter (%) and dry mass production (%) as well as basic nutritional characteristics by the two swaths of the tested cultivars in brooming phase were controlled. It was found that the sweet sorghum cultivar “Shumensko sladko” gave the highest amount of green mass – 59.5 t/ha by two swaths, and the dry mass yield was the highest from the cultivar Endje 1 – 20.8 t/ha. In terms of chemical composition, the greatest variation was demonstrated in phosphorus content (0.369-0.696%, CV=27.3%), followed by crude fat (1.28-2.39%, CV=26.8%), Ca (0.889-1.572%, CV=21.8%), crude protein (6.05-9.00%, CV=14.6%), nitrogen free extracts (42.05-51.20%, CV=7.6%), crude fiber (32.64-39.26%, CV=6.1%) and mineral substances (8.17-9.61%, CV=5.9%). It can be summarized that all hybrids provide quality hay, however the Bulgarian cultivars Endje 1 and “Shumensko sladko” showed the best nutritional value – compared to Super Sweet, Vercors, SWT and “Zaharna metla”.

Trials were conducted at Gangara in the Northern Guinea Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria during the 1990 and 1991 rainy seasons. The effects of date of planting (4th, 14th, 24th June and 4th July) and levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 5O, 100, 150 and 200 kg/ha) on growth components of Sorghum almum were investigated. Planting in mid-June (14th June) in 1990 and early-July (4th July) in 1991 resulted in superior stand establishment and dry matter yields (P < 0.05) than older dates. In mid-June and early-July planting 14 days post-planting, plant densities were 7 .0 and 9.0 culms/m 2 while plant heights were 20.4 and 11.3cm for the respective years. It had high tillering capacity and irrespective of date of planting (except for early-June planting) plant densities by 56 days post-planting (OPP) were greater than, 100 culms/m 2 Plant heights at this stage were greater than 100 culm//m 2 and were generally above 200cm. Ninety DPP the pasture was at full bloom/hard dough stage. DM yields then ranged from 8.0 to 11.4 tDM/ha in 1990 and 9.6 to 14.7 tDM/ha in 1991. Similarly seed yield for the respetive years were 894.7 and 836.3 kg/ha. Fertilizer application (P < 0.05) plant vigour, tillering and dry matter yield up to the higliest N applied. In the first year's trial, plant density at 35 days post-planting ranging from 12.0 to 29.0 culms/m 2 while in the second year the range was 13.0 to 26.0 culms/m 2 'The corresponding values at 56 DPP (i.e.. 42 days following N application were 32.0 to 81.0 and 45.0 to 101.0 culms/m 2 Dry matter yields rose steadily from 6.5 to 12.5 tDM/ha m 1990 and from 8.9 to 13.6 tDM/ha in 1991 as fertilizer was increased from 0 to 200 kgN/ha. Seed yield during the same period for the respective years varied from 416.0 to 753.0kg/ha. This study has shown that planting between mid-June and early-Joly with fertilizer application or 100 to 200 kgN/ha favour S. almum establishment and production in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria. Key Words : Columbus grass, planting date, fertilizer, plant density, height, seed yield, Guinea Savanna.

Field study was conducted at Humera, Kebabo, Banat, Zerbabit, Division and Ruwasa, western zone of Tigray, northern Ethiopia in 2018 under rain fed condition to determine effects of six nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 11.5, 23.0, 34.5, 46.0 and 57.5 kg Nha-1) applied in the form of urea and four spacing (30, 45, 60 and 75 cm) on growth and biomass yield of Mechello grass (Sorghum aethiopicum). The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Data on dry matter yield (DMY, tonha-1), onset of flowering date (days), plant height (cm) and the number of tillers at harvest were recorded. A significant difference (p

Sudan grass (Sorghum × drummondii) is grown after alfalfa and corn as the main fodder crops in developed countries. Sudan grass is a perennial plant that is resistant to salt and drought. This article provides information on the effects of planting Sudan grass at different rates and harvesting at different times in saline soils of the Syrdarya province, Uzbekistan, on plant growth, yield formation and nutrient quality. Sufficient results were obtained when Sudan grass was planted at 25 kg per hectare and harvested at 50% flowering phase. Experiments were carried out in soil-climatic conditions of the experimental production base of the Syrdarya Scientific Experimental Station of the Research Institute of Cotton Breeding, Seed Production and Cultivation Agrotechnologies.

Досліджено вплив кам’яновугільного попелу з Добротвірської теплоелектростанції та гумату калію «ГКВ-45» на фітотоксичність субстрату перегорілої породи з відвалів кам’яновугільних шахт Червоноградського гірни- чопромислового району. Для біотестування використали суданську траву Sorghum bicolor subsp. drummondii (Nees ex Steud.). Виявлено збільшення площі листкової поверхні, довжини й маси коренів зі зменшенням висоти стебла за додавання гумату до субстрату перегорілої породи. Застосування лише попелу не спричинило достовірного впливу на досліджені морфометричні параметри, але у варіанті з його внесенням разом із гуматом простежено підсилення стимуляційного впливу останнього на масу коренів і площу листкової поверхні. Установлено, що внесення попелу призводить до підвищення вмісту хлорофілу a з одночасним знижен- ням умісту феофітину a у листках суданської трави. Додавання гумату призвело до підвищення вмісту хлорофілу a і зниження феофітину a. Застосування попелу разом із гуматом підвищило вміст хлорофілу a та знизило вміст феофітину a більшою мірою, ніж унесення лише попелу. Збільшення розмірів листків і коренів Sorghum bicolor subsp. drummondii, підвищення вмісту хлорофілу a у поєднанні зі зменшенням висоти стебла, зниженням умісту феофітину a свідчить про зменшення стресового впливу на рослини. Показано, що внесення кам’яновугільного попелу разом із гуматом калію нейтралізовує фітотоксичність породних відвалів ефективніше, ніж застосування лише попелу. Studied effect of coal fly ash from Dobrotvir TPP and potassium humate «ГКВ-45» on phytotoxicity of burned rock from coal mines dumps of Chervonograd mining region. For biotesting used Sudan grass Sorghum bicolor subsp. drummondii (Nees ex Steud.). Observed magnification of leaves area, length and mass of roots with reduction of stem height by addition of humate to the substrate of burned rock. Application only of the fly ash did not cause significant effect on studied morphometric parameters. But in option with presence of fly ash in substrate observed strengthening of stimulation effect of humate on the mass of roots and leaves area. Found that application of fly ash increase content of chlorophyll a and simultaneously decrease content of pheophytin a in the leaves of Sudan grass. Addition of humate caused increasing content of chlorophyll a and reducing content of pheophytin a. Application of fly ash with humate increased content of chlorophyll a and reduced content of pheophytin a more effective than addition only fly ash. Increasing of leaves and roots sizes, increasing content of chlorophyll a coupled with decreasing of stem height, content of pheophytin a indicates reducing of stress effect on plants. Noticed that application of coal fly ash with potassium humate neutralize phytotoxicity of rock from coal mines' dumps more effective than application only fly ash.

This experiment aimed at assessing effects of alkaline hydrolysis using rice husk ash filtrate (RHAF) with or without urea and urease enzyme on nutrient content of dried kume grass. A 6x3 completely randomized design was employed to test 6 treatments, namely RK1 = dried kume grass sprayed with RHAF (15% w/v) and hydrolysed for 3 hours, RK2 = Like RK1 + urea 4%, RK3 = Like RK2 plus urease for urea: urease ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 (RK4) or 1:4 (RK5) or 1:5 (RK6). Measured variables were dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and crude lipid (CL). General linear model for CRD was employed in data analysis, and Duncan test for treatment difference. Results showed that increased urea: urease ratio significantly effecting CP and CL content, yet no difference between 1:4 and 1:6 ratios. The lowest improvement was in RK1 (7.41% CP and 41.93% CL) and the highest was in RK6 (22.75% CP and 210.16% CL). In the contrary, all treated groups showed a decline in DM and OM. It is concluded that alkaline hydrolysis using RHAF plus urea: urease ratio at 1:4 is the best treatment to improve the nutritive value of dried kume grass.

A field experiment was conducted in 2006 and 2007 to determine the agronomic performance and nutritive value of Sorghum almum for introduction in the derived savannah area of Nigeria. The experiment was arranged in a 2 · 4 factorial design with 2 plant spacings (0AE5 · 0AE5 m and 1AE0 · 1AE0 m) and 4 nitrogen (N)

This study was conducted in Naivasha, Kenya over a period of 15 weeks to determine the effect of maturity on mineral content in Columbus grass ( Sorghum almum ). Immediately after field preparation, representative soil samples were taken for mineral profiling. Thereafter, 60 plots 2 x 2 sq. m size were demarcated and allotted to 5 similar blocks of 12 plots each in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. Each plot received 25 g of seed evenly drilled to 5 rows (2 m length and 30 cm apart). All the plots were planted on the same day and kept weed free throughout the study. The grass was harvested at 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 weeks after seed emergence in sequential manner beginning with block 1 to 5, each time leaving a stubble height of 5 cm. From each plot, representative herbage grabs were made, chopped into 2 cm pieces and mixed thoroughly. Two composite samples of about 500 g each were then taken for dry matter determination and mineral analysis using the standard procedures. Results showed that, the plant tissue levels of all mineral elements investigated were significantly affected by advancing grass maturity. Between 6 and 14 weeks, P and K decreased by 35.14 and 46.77% respectively. It was also noted that Na, Ca and Mg decreased by 46.49, 20.41 and 21.74% over the same period. Levels of trace elements also declined as the grass matured. Results showed that Cu, Mn and Zn levels decreased by 36.4, 27.4 and 57.1% respectively, between 6 and 14 weeks. Ca:P ratios however remained consistent over this period. It was generally observed that, although levels of macro-elements declined with advancing maturity of the grass, their overall concentrations remained within the recommended requirements for ruminant production. Trace element levels were generally below those desired for ruminant production. It was therefore concluded that macro-mineral elements might not be a problem in Sorghum almum based diets. Ruminants would however require additional source of trace elements to correct possible deficiencies of the same in their diets. Keywords : Macro–elements; Micro-elements; Ruminants; Diets; Supplementation Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp. 134-138

We describe and test a simple model of optimal root proliferation in a soil consisting of patches of various quality, with quality defined as the rate of supply of limiting soil resource. Assuming that roots deplete resources in the patch, the model predicts that root biomass will be allocated such that the marginal gains from each patch are equilibrated. With the further assumption that marginal returns are correlated with patch quality, the generally assumed positive relation between patch quality and root proliferation is predicted. This secondary prediction is tested with the grass Sorghum vulgare grown in containers consisting of four patches of variable limiting N-supply. Mean fine root biomass showed a strong positive relation between patch quality and, biomass consistent with the foraging hypothesis, especially when expressed on a per primary root basis. However, the high within-individual variation and the insensitivity of primary roots imply that much of the root behavior remains unexplained by the model.

La productividad de los híbridos de sorgo y yerba Sudan Space Maker, Grazer A, Sordan 70 y Graze and Bale se determino en regadio y bien abonados en la costa sur de Puerto Rico. Estas forrajeras produjeron 23,038, 39,815 y 54,810 kg de forraje seco/ha y año cuando se cosecharon cada 30, 45 y 60 días, respectivamente. El contenido medio de proteína bruta de estas forrajeras fue de 8.9, 6.2 y 5.0% cuando se cosecharon cada 30, 45 y 60 días, respectivamente. Cuando se cortaron cada 30 días, la Sordan 70 y la Grazer A fueron las de más alta producción. Cortadas cada 45 días, la Sordan 70 fue la más productiva. El contenido de proteína en todas las forrajeras fue similar cuando se cortaron a distintos intervalos, excepto que la Sordan 70 tuvo un contenido más bajo que el de las otras cuando se cortaron cada 30 días. Todas las forrajeras produjeron rendimientos similares de proteína a los distintos intervalos, con excepción de la Sordan 70, que contenía menos proteína cuando se cortaron cada 45 días. Los altos rendimientos producidos por estas forrajeras indican que puede producirse abundante forraje en los terrenos de la costa sur que se pueden regar, como suplemento alimentario para los pastos de la zona ganadera adyacente durante las prolongadas sequías, y en los meses de invierno para los de la región húmeda cuando el crecimiento de los pastos disminuye.

During development the microspores and pollen grains form depressions in the tapetal orbicular wall, the microspore pore being tightly appressed to the tapetum until maturity

Communities of Sorghum intrans, a tropical annual grass of north-west Australia, contain sparse patches several metres in diameter within otherwise dense swards. These patches are persistent for at least ca. 4 years, despite the fact that these species are annuals which lack a persistent seed-bank. Three possible causes of the sparse patches were investigated at a site near Darwin: loss of viable seeds through granivory or death; high plant mortality; or poor fecundity. This was done by augmenting the seed-banks of S. intrans in the sparse patches, and thinning stands of seedlings in the surrounding, naturally dense areas, and comparing the results of these perturbations with controls. Granivory did not appear to be a cause of the sparse patches. Furthermore, the seeds in the sparse patches did not become inviable over the dry season. Compared with the plants of S. intrans in the naturally high-density areas, survival of the plants in the augmented patches was not reduced, but vigour and seed production were. Conversely, plants in the thinned stands had a higher survival rate and very much greater vigour and seed production than plants in either the undisturbed patches or the undisturbed surrounding areas. Biotic constraints to plant growth such as grazing and disease appeared to be unimportant. These sparse patches result from poor site potential for S. intrans which limits its growth and reproductive output.

PALATABILITY in a forage plant is a difficult and elusive characteristic to measure because it is known to vary with most of the factors and conditions which affect plant growth and development. Moreover, objective measurement is frequently hmited to a subjective definition, i.e., preference of the grazing animal, which reduces objective data to a set of empirical values. The difficulty of measurement, nevertheless, does not change the real importance of such information for the breeding and improvement of forage crops because palatability may greatly influence the amount of forage ingested and thus affect .the rate, total gain, and net cost of beef production (5)...