Effect of Different Nitrogen Levels on Hay Yield and Some Quality Traits of Sudan Grass and Sorghum..Sudan Grass Hybrids

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate DM yield and forage quality responses of sudan grass and sorghumX sudan grass hybrids to nitrogen application under irrigated Central Anatolia conditions during sununer season of 2013 and 2014. The study included one sudan grass (Gozde-80) and two sorgumxsudan grass hybrid (Aneto and Bovital) cultivars. The fertilizer was applied based on nitrogen fertilizer with six different (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg N/ha) doses. Plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, hay yield, CP yield, ADF, NDF, Ca, K, P and Mg contents were determined. Hay yield ranged between 7.67 (Gozde-80) and 8.31 t/ha(Bovital) among cultivars, and between 7.47 (0 kg/ha; control) and 8.72 t/ha (80 kg/ha) among N doses. The highest CP content was recorded from Bovital (14.49%) and Aneto (14.02%) cultivars. Aneto cultivar has highest CP yield (1.53 tlha) with 40 kg/ha N dose. The lowest ADF content of hay was determined in Bovital cultivars (36.55%) whereas the NDF content ranged from 67.10% (Gozde-80) to 67.62% (Bovital) among the genotypes. Macro-mineral (P, K, Ca and Mg) contents of the forage in all the three genotypes were higher than the animal needs recommended. The highest benefit was determined in Aneto (5018 €/ha) with application 40 kg N/ha. Overall, the results indicated that at the end of the two years study, in terms of hay yield, CP yield and benefits, Aneto cultivar and N application dose rate of 40 kg N/ha were found best choice under irrigated conditions.