African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6902

Full Length Research Paper

Productivity, nutritional quality and phenotypical stability of varieties of silage sorghum in Uberlândia, MG

Alyne Dantas Mendes de Paula
  • Alyne Dantas Mendes de Paula
  • Universidade Federal de Uberlândia / UFU, Av. Pará, 1720 - Bairro Umuarama Uberlândia - MG - CEP 38408-100 - CP 593, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Evandro Fernandes de Abreu
  • Evandro Fernandes de Abreu
  • Universidade Federal de Uberlândia / UFU, Av. Pará, 1720 - Bairro Umuarama Uberlândia - MG - CEP 38408-100 - CP 593, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Cesar Henrique Souza Zandonadi
  • Cesar Henrique Souza Zandonadi
  • Universidade Federal de Uberlândia / UFU, Av. Pará, 1720 - Bairro Umuarama Uberlândia - MG - CEP 38408-100 - CP 593, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Fernanda Heloísa Litz
  • Fernanda Heloísa Litz
  • Universidade Federal de Uberlândia / UFU, Av. Pará, 1720 - Bairro Umuarama Uberlândia - MG - CEP 38408-100 - CP 593, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Carlos Juliano Brant Albuquerque*
  • Carlos Juliano Brant Albuquerque*
  • Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / UFMG, Avenida Universitária, 1.000 Bairro Universitário – Montes Claros – MG – CEP: 39.404-547, Brazil.
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  •  Received: 24 November 2016
  •  Accepted: 05 January 2017
  •  Published: 02 February 2017

Abstract

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a good alternative for silage, especially in places with water scarcity and high temperatures, due to their morphological and physiological characteristics. Proper management contributes both to productivity and to the quality of forage. The present study was conducted with the following objectives: To evaluate the agronomic and bromatological performance of varieties of sorghum silage as well as their phenotypic stability in the early and late (off) seasons of planting in the region of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. The experiment was performed at the Capim Branco Experimental Farm of the Federal University of Uberlândia - UFU located in Uberlândia - MG. In this experimental area forage was planted at the normal, seasonal time and in the off season. A randomized block design was used with 25 treatments and three replications. Flowering, dry matter yield, plant height, Acid Detergent Fiber and Neutral Detergent Fiber of the cultivars were all found to be affected by the time of planting. The SF11 variety was found to be superior in terms of productivity and fiber quality regardless of the season. The evaluation of dry matter stability demonstrated superiority among the varieties: SF15, SF11, SF25, PROG 134 IPA, 1141572, 1141570 and 1141562. As for the stability of fiber quality, the 1141562 variety stood out.

Key words: Photoperiod, digestibility, genotype, Sorghum bicolor.