Effect Of Planting Date And Distance Between Hills On Growth and Forage Yield Of Sudangrass Hybrid (Sorghum vulgare var. sudanense)

Abstract

This study was conducted in the experimental field of Agriculture Faculty, Wasit University (Wasit Governorate Center) in the autumn season 2018, to study the effect of four planting dates (June 25, July 10, July 25 and August 10) and four spacing between hills (10, 15, 20 and 25 cm) on growth and forage yield of Sudan grass Hybrid. The experiment was carried out by using split-plots with R.C.B.D design with three replicates, the planting dates were put in the main plots, and distances between hills were placed in the sub plots. Two cuts were taken from all treatments ,the following traits were studied ,Plant height,, number of tillers per plant, number of leaves per plant, plant leaf area, leaves/stems ratio, and green forage yield. Planting date on 25 July at 1st cutting gave the highest studied characteristics and green yield were 89.452 t. ha-1, Planting date on 25 June at the 2nd cutting gave the highest studied characteristics and gave green forage yield about 86.090 t.ha-1. Planting at 20cm showed a significant effect among the other distances in most growth characteristics at the 1st and 2nd cutting and gave the highest green forage yield were 85.255 and 58.900 t. ha-1. The distance of 20 cm at the date of June 25 gave the highest green yield, which were 93.200 t. ha-1. The interaction between studied factors showed a significant effect on the green forage yield at 1st cutting, the distance of 20 cm at the date of June 25 gave the highest green yield, which were 93.200 t. ha-1, with an increase of 37.67% over than June 25 date, at a distance of 10 cm, the lowest yield of green fodder was recorded at 67.707 t. ha-1