Yield, Agronomic Characteristics and Chemical Composition of Silage Fodder (Sorghum bicolor L.) With and Without Fertilization

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the yield and structural characteristics of sorghum fodder, aswell as the chemical quality of the fodder and the silage with and without fertilization. Design/Methodology/Approach: The evaluated variables were, in the fodder: drymatter yield (DMY, kg ha -1 ), leaf:stalk ratio (L:S, g g -1 ), plant height (H, cm) andintercepted radiation (IR, %); and in the silage: dry matter (DM, %) crude protein (CP,%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF, %), acid detergent fiber (ADF, %), lactic acid (LA,%) and pH. There were two treatments, with fertilization and without fertilization. Results: The agronomic characteristics L:S, H and IR improved with fertilization(P<0.05). The DMY with fertilization was 7060 kg DM ha -1 and without fertilization, itwas 5472 kg DM ha -1 . The values of DM, CP, NDF, ADF and LA of the silage withfertilization were 33.60, 7.83, 51.06, 28.51 and 4.51%, respectively, and the pH was4.3, and without fertilization these values were 47.67, 5.83, 43.36, 25.21 and 2.86%,respectively, and the pH was 4.66; all values were different when comparing with andwithout fertilization (P<0.05).Study Limitations/Implications: These quality parameters should continue to bestudied in sorghum silages and with different fertilization doses to expand thedecision outlook.Findings/Conclusions: According to the results obtained, it is concluded that thesorghum fodder crop should be fertilized for the ensilage, since higher dry matteryield, better agronomic, and nutritional characteristics are obtained.s