Sorghum Sudanense Piper Research Articles

Optimizing Productivity of Buffel and Sudan Grasses Using Optimal Nitrogen Fertilizer Application under Arid Conditions

Most arid and semiarid areas are bare and greatly infested with intrusive wild species. Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) and Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense Piper.) are the supreme drought-tolerant grasses that are commonly grown in dry regions. Besides water, nitrogen (N) is a vital element limiting the growth, yield, and herbage quality of such grasses since it has key roles in physiological and biochemical functions in plants. Hence, this study aimed at assessing the performance of Buffel and Sudan grasses under nitrogen fertilization in Mandera County. This study comprised a field trial laid as a split plot in a randomized complete block design with grasses being assigned to the main plots, whereas N rates (0, 35, 70, 105, and 140 kg N ha−1) occupied the subplots. Data were collected on growth parameters (plant height, leaf length, number of leaves per plant, leaf width, stem girth, and tiller number), yield parameters (shoot weight, root weight, and aboveground biomass yield—DBY), and quality attributes (acid detergent fiber—ADF, crude protein—CP, and neutral detergent fiber—NDF). Across the seasons, plant height progressively increased with increasing N rates up to a maximum of 141 and 246 cm for Buffel grass and Sudan grass, respectively, which were associated with a 105 kg N ha−1 rate. Nonetheless, there was no noteworthy enhancement in plant height (142 and 246 cm) with an additional upsurge in N fertilizer rate to 140 kg N ha−1 relative to the one of 105 kg N ha−1. Regarding the leaf length, Sudan grass had longer and wider leaves at all treatment levels than the Buffel grass. Plant height, leaf length, width, and the number of leaves per plant increased with increasing N level up to the rate of 140 kg N ha−1, though this was not statistically different from the rate of 105 kg N ha−1 for both kinds of grass. The results revealed that Sudan grass contained higher crude protein than Buffel grass at all levels of treatments (10.33 and 8.80% at the rate of 105 kg N ha−1, respectively). More so, crude protein content was found to be higher in plots where N application was performed than in the control plots. There were great associations between the dependent variables (DBY, ADF, NDF, and CP) and independent variables (plant height, leaf length, No. of leaves, leaf width, stem girth, and No. of tillers), with the coefficient of regression ranging from 0.56 to 0.96 for Buffel grass and 0.59 to 0.96 for Sudan grass. Findings from this study indicate that for optimal growth, yield, and nutrient content benefits, Buffel and Sudan grasses ought to be grown using nitrogen fertilizer at a 105 kg N ha−1 rate.

Effect of summer cover crops on cabbage yield, weed suppression, and N mineralization in a low input cropping system

Summer cover crops (SCCs) provide valuable agroecosystem services to growers using spring and autumn vegetable crop rotations. Choosing the right SCCs to maximize agroecosystem services and fit growers' interests is challenging due to the wide array of SCC functions and one benefit may come at the cost of another (i.e., a tradeoff). In particular, fast-growing grasses may produce greater SCC biomass but may immobilize plant-available N needed by the autumn vegetable crop. We conducted a field study in Ames, Iowa US to compare agroecosystem services – weed suppression, autumn cabbage yield, soil nutrients, and net nitrogen (N) mineralization of eight SCC species over 2 years. Cover crop species were grown for an average of 55 days and included: brown top millet (Panicum ramosum L., BTM), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, “Mancan”, BW), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L). Walp., “Iron and Clay”, CP), flax (Linum usitassimum L. “Golden”, GF), mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek, MB), sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea L., SH), sorghum sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench x Sorghum sudanense Piper Staph. “Sorgrow BMR Dwarf”, SS), and Teff grass (Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) “Selam”, TEF), and a no-SCC control (NCC) treatment. The range of mean cover crop biomass was 0.8 (cowpea) to 7.5 (teff grass) Mg ha−1. There was a strong, negative correlation between SCC biomass and weed biomass (R2 = 0.83). Low biomass producing legumes resulted in greater weed biomass, but 34–58% greater cabbage yield in one of two experimental years. Ion exchange membranes (IEMs) were not able to capture differences in total net N mineralization among SCC treatments however, soil inorganic N was greater under legume SCCs at SCC termination. We show there are tradeoffs when choosing SCCs between weed suppression and net N mineralization and that the environmental conditions, i.e., climate, regulate whether these tradeoffs favor greater vegetable crop yields.

Allelopathic activity of rhizosphere soil in alfalfa - Sorghum sp. mixed growing

The allelopathic activity of soil from rhizosphere zone of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grown under cover of Sorghum bicolor L. Sorghum sudanense Piper Staf. and Sorghum vulgare var. technicum Korn. on the initial development of Lactuca sativa L. was assessed. The experiment was performed under laboratory conditions at the Institute of Forage Crops - Pleven, Bulgaria (2018-19). The highest inhibition effect showed the soil from the rhizosphere zone of Sorghum vulgare var. technicum (17.44) pure grown; alfalfa, grown under cover of Sorghum vulgare var. technicum (14.56) and alfalfa, grown under cover of Sorghum bicolor + Sorghum vulgare var. technicum (16.94). The lowest inhibition effect showed the soil from the alfalfa (6.32), Sorghum sudanense (7.62) both pure grown and alfalfa grown under cover of Sorghum bicolor (7.96). The results obtained indicate that depending on the allelopathic soil activity of Sorghum bicolor, Sorghum sudanense and Sorghum vulgare var. technicum, they can be used for the growing of alfalfa under the cover as a measure for weed control in the year of establishment of the crop and for the increasing the productivity also. The equivalence between the allelopathic soil activity in pure grown crops, assessed by the degree of inhibition in the germination and initial development of Lactuca sativa L. as well as their use as cover crops for alfalfa were found.

Performance of Agricultural Systems under Contrasting Growing Season Conditions in South‐western Quebec

AbstractClimate change will alter temperature and rainfall patterns over North American agricultural regions and there will be a need to adapt crop production systems to the altered conditions. A set of field experiments were conducted in south‐western Quebec, Canada, with soybean (Glycine max L.), corn (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) × sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Piper) hybrid and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) under two tillage and three nitrogen fertility regimes, to study their performance in three successive growing seasons (2001–2003), two of them with unusually warm and dry conditions. The annual crops were established in two tillage systems: conventional and no‐till (NT). All crops except soybean were fertilized with three levels of nitrogen: corn – 0, 90 and 180 kg N ha−1, sorghum‐sudangrass – 0, 75 and 150 kg N ha−1, switchgrass – 0, 30 and 60 kg N ha−1. The 2001 and 2002 seasons were hotter and drier than the 2003 season, which was the most favourable for crop growth. The capacity of the crops to yield in dry seasons was as follow: switchgrass > sorghum‐sudangrass > corn > soybean. The corn and sorghum‐sudangrass responses to nitrogen fertilizer were low in 2001 due to the combined effect of dry growing season and coarse soil texture. Soybean did not perform well under NT. Corn yielded better at the highest nitrogen fertilizer rate under NT when the early season was warmer than the normal. Our results show that switchgrass and sorghum‐sudangrass could be an option in south‐western Quebec if the frequency of hot and dry seasons increase in the future, because of climate change.

Nitrogen Management of Brown Midrib Sorghum × Sudangrass in the Northeastern USA

Brown midrib (BMR) forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] × sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Piper) hybrids (S × S) have been considered as a possible forage alternative to maize silage (Zea mays L.) where maize planting is delayed due to wet soil conditions. Our objective was to determine the most economic rate of nitrogen (MERN) for BMR S × S grown in a two‐cut management system with a split application of N. Six field trials were conducted in New York in 2003 and 2004. One trial followed a grass–legume sod; a second trial had received liquid manure 19 mo before S × S planting. The remaining four followed S × S, silage maize, and/or a small grain crop. The MERN ranged from 137 to 192 kg N ha−1 cut−1 with dry matter (DM) yield ranging from 7.8 to 9.7 Mg ha−1 at the sites without additional N input. At the sites with prior N inputs, yield was higher (10.4–13.8 Mg ha−1) and MERN lower. The apparent nitrogen recovery (ANR) at the MERN was highest (61–73%) for the sites with prior N inputs. Nitrogen application rates > 145 kg N ha−1 cut−1 decreased nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) to <15 kg DM kg−1 N, while the ANR became <45%. We concluded that the MERN for BMR S × S grown in New York in a two‐cut system following maize, small grains, or forage S × S is 125 to 145 kg N ha−1 cut−1. For sites that follow sod plow‐down or recent manure application, N application rates should not exceed 40 to 60 kg N ha−1 cut−1

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium Removal by Brown Midrib Sorghum Sudangrass in the Northeastern USA

AbstractFor the long‐term sustainability of the dairy industry in the Northeastern USA, manure nutrient application rates should not exceed crop nutrient removal once above‐optimum soil fertility levels are reached. Dairy producers have shown a growing interest in brown midrib (BMR) forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) × sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Piper) hybrids (S × S) as a more environmentally sound alternative to maize (Zea mays L.) but data on S × S nutrient removal rates are scant. Our objectives were to determine N, P, K, Ca and Mg removal with harvest as impacted by N application rate, using six N rate studies in New York. One of the six sites had a recent manure history. Although site‐to‐site differences existed, N application tended to decrease P and K and increase N, Ca and Mg concentrations in BMR S × S forage. Nutrient removal and yield were highly correlated for all sites except one location that showed a K deficiency. The crop removed large amounts of P and K in the manured site, suggesting that BMR S × S is an excellent scavenger of these nutrients. If manure is applied mid‐season, forage K levels are likely too high for feeding to non‐lactating cows.

Effect of calcium silicate on growth and dry matter yield of Chloris gayana and Sorghum sudanense under two soil water regimes

AbstractThe effects of five rates [0 (control), 1, 2, 4 and 6 Mg ha−1] of calcium silicate on the growth and water consumption by rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth) and sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense Piper) under wet and dry soil water regimes (60 g and 30 g H2O kg−1 soil respectively) were evaluated in a pot experiment. The effect of the application of silicate on plant biomass was similar to that of the control. However, the shoot and root dry mass varied significantly (P < 0.001) according to the soil water regime and plant species. During the first cut, the shoot dry mass was 5.7 g per pot under the wet soil moisture regime, significantly exceeding that under the dry soil water regime proportionately by 0.68. For sudan grass, the shoot dry mass varied from 3.6 g per pot in the control to 4.3 g per pot in the treatment that received 6 Mg ha−1 of calcium silicate. Plant water demand decreased as the rate of calcium silicate application increased, suggesting that an application of calcium silicate could reduce drought stress and enhance water economy. For the soil under study, the reduction in plant water demand represents a water saving ranging from 0.076 to nearly 0.20.

Potassium Management for Brown Midrib Sorghum × Sudangrass as Replacement for Corn Silage in the North‐eastern USA

AbstractIn recent years, there has been a growing interest in brown midrib (BMR) sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) × sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Piper) hybrids (SxS) as a replacement for silage corn (Zea mays L.) in the north‐eastern USA. Recent studies suggest it is suitable for both rotational grazing and as a hay crop and could compete with corn harvested for silage in years when wet spring conditions prevent the timely planting of corn. However, little is known about its suitability as forage for non‐lactating cows that require low potassium (K) forages to prevent health problems. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of K fertilizer management (0, 112 or 224 kg K2O ha−1 cut−1) under optimum N management (112–168 kg N ha−1 cut−1) on yield, quality and K concentrations of BMR SxS over a 2‐year period. Field trials were established on a fine loamy, mixed, active, mesic Aeric Fragiaquepts with medium K‐supplying capacity and characteristic of a large region in New York. Potassium application did not affect dry matter yields in either of the 2 years. Averaged over 2 years, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) significantly increased with K addition with similar but non‐significant trends observed in each of the years individually. The digestibility of NDF was unaffected by K application. Crude protein (CP) concentrations showed a significant decrease with K application in 2002 and similar trends were observed in 2003, although differences were not significant at P ≤ 0.05. The changes in NDF and CP did not significantly impact forage quality expressed as milk production per megagram of silage. Potassium application increased forage K concentration up to 13 mg K kg−1 dry matter (in the first cut in 2003). Forage Ca and Mg concentrations decreased with K addition except for the first cut in 2002 where differences between 112 and 224 kg K2O ha−1 treatments were not significant. Without K addition in the 2‐year period, K concentrations in the forage decreased from 23 g kg−1 for the first cutting in 2002 to 15 g kg−1 for the second cut in 2003. Low K forage was obtained for all second‐cut forage unless 224 kg K2O ha−1 cut−1 had been added. First‐cut forage was suitable only when no additional K had been applied. These results suggest low K BMR SxS forage can be harvested from initially high K soils without loss in dry matter yield as long as no additional K is added.

Evaluation of Commercial Varieties in Sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Piper Stapf) for Regrowth, Disease Resistance and Fertility

Evaluation of Commercial Varieties in Sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Piper Stapf) for Regrowth, Disease Resistance and Fertility

Cover-cropping Practices of Vegetable Producers in Western New York

Surveys of vegetable growers in a six-county region in western New York were conducted in 1997 to determine which cover cropping practices were being used on commercial vegetable operations; to identify producers' needs for further research and information, and to assess the impact of cooperative extension programs in this area. In a broad survey, 118 responses were returned out of 315 surveys sent (37%). Respondents represented >37,000 acres (14974 ha) of vegetable production, or ≈53% of the vegetable acreage in the region. Vegetable acreage per operation ranged from 1 to 4000 acres (0.4 to 1619 ha). Sixty-nine percent responded that they grew cover crops on a total of 15,426 acres (6243 ha). Oats (Avena sativa L.), rye (Secale cereale), clover (Trifolium pratense), and wheat (Triticum vulgare) were the most commonly used cover crops. Seventy-six percent of the reported cover-cropped acres were planted to small grains, and 19% to legumes, almost entirely clovers. In open ended questions, the most important benefits of cover cropping identified by respondents were erosion control (46% of respondents) and organic matter additions (42%). The most important problems associated with cover crops were that they interfere with spring field work or fall harvest (26%), and that they are difficult to incorporate or plow under (24%). A targeted survey of nineteen onion (Allium cepa L.) producers in the same region measured the recent adoption of sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Piper) and sorghum-sudan hybrid (Sorghum bicolor L. × S. sudanense) cover crops, the focus of the several years of extension research and educational programs. Nine of the onion producers had adopted the practice, and six of these had done so since the beginning of these extension programs. The implications of these results for research and extension are discussed.