DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSE OF SORGHUM CULTIVARS FOR FODDER YIELD AND QUALITY

Forage shortage is one of the main reason for lower meat and milk production in the country. Various forages like sorghum, millet and Guar are grown to fulfill the dietary needs of the animals in summer season. Among these fodders, sorghum is of prime importance. Different sorghum cultivars differ in growth, yield, morphology and quality attributes. This experiment was aimed to evaluate the comparative performance of different sorghum forage cultivars regarding its yield and quality attributes. The experiment was conducted at the Post Graduate Agricultural Research Station (PARS), University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during 2012. Eight forage sorghum cultivars viz. JS-2002, JS-263, MRSorghum-2011, Hegari, Pak-China-1, Sandal Bar, F-7017 and F-114 were sown in randomized complete block design with four replications having net plot size of 3m × 6m. The crop was shown on April 30, 2012. Recommended dose of fertilizer was applied. Three irrigations were applied during entire growth period of the crop. The crop was harvested when crop was at 50% heading. Sorghum cultivars differed in forage yield, dry matter yield, morphological traits and quality parameters. Maximum plant height, stem diameter, leaf weight per plant, leaf area per plant, fresh weight per plant, dry weight per plant, forage yield, dry matter yield and ash percentage were recorded in Pak-China-1 followed by F-114. Plant height, number of leaves per plant and plant population per unit area was minimum in Sandal-Bar. Crude protein and crude fiber were more in Sandal bar and F-7017 respectively as compared to other varieties.