Grain and Forage Yield and Stover Quality of Sorghum and Millet in Low Rainfall Environments

The potential for using sorghum and millet crop residues as fodder was studied in southeastern Botswana. This region is characterized by low, unevenly distributed rainfall and shallow sandy soils. There were significant differences among cultivars for grain and stover yield, digestibility, crude pro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental agriculture 1990-07, Vol.26 (3), p.279-286
Main Authors: Youngquist, J. B., Carter, D. C., Clegg, M. D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation to environment and cultivation conditions
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
Biological and medical sciences
Botswana
cattle
Cenchrus americanus
crop quality
crop yield
crude protein
cultivars
forage evaluation
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetics and breeding of economic plants
in vitro digestibility
mineral content
nutrient requirements
nutritive value
planting date
rain
Sorghum bicolor
stover
Varietal selection. Specialized plant breeding, plant breeding aims
yield components
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Summary:The potential for using sorghum and millet crop residues as fodder was studied in southeastern Botswana. This region is characterized by low, unevenly distributed rainfall and shallow sandy soils. There were significant differences among cultivars for grain and stover yield, digestibility, crude protein, and mineral content, but no species advantage. Stover from all entries was adequate for cattle maintenance in in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and most of the minerals tested, but crude protein and phosphorus levels did not always meet the minimum requirement. The deficient phosphorus levels were compounded by high calcium levels. This mineral imbalance could lead to bone abnormalities and reduced fertility in livestock.
ISSN:0014-4797
1469-4441
DOI:10.1017/S0014479700018433