Agronomic characteristics and rain use efficiency of sorghum in a semiarid region

Abstract

<jats:p>Sorghum culture highlighted in animal nutrition because it allows its cultivation of green conservation as silage. This study aimed to evaluate the divergence of agronomic and productive characteristics of 32 sorghum cultivars in the semiarid region. The randomized block design with three replications was used. It was evaluated the dry matter percentage (DM), fresh matter production (FMP) and dry matter production (DMP); stem proportion, panicle, and leaf blade in the plant DM; plant height, nº plants ha-1, stem diameter, leaf number, leaves and panicles length; rain use efficiency (RUE) in kg MS ha-1 mm-1, and water accumulation (WA) in kg ha-1 and kg ha-1 mm-1. The data were analyzed using the Scott-Knott procedure at a 5% significance level. The FMP and DMP showed the formation of two distinct groups, which may be crucial in choosing a more productive cultivar. Moreover, cultivar 17 stood out for presenting high leaf blade participation while cultivars 9, 19, 23, 24, and 32 in panicle participation in DM, which is considered nutritionally better due to higher digestibility than the stem. Besides, for the RUE and WA, two distinct groups were also formed, which can be great to determine cultivars that have higher xerophilic potential, and thus use them for the production of silage in semi-arid conditions. Experimental cultivars showed greater results than those commercials. Studies that evaluate the animal performance of cultivars (3, 6, 9, 17, 19, and 31), could be conducted to prove their nutritional values since these cultivars stood out for presenting interesting productive characteristics.</jats:p>

Effect ofBurkholderia tropicaandHerbaspirillum frisingensestrains on sorghum growth is plant genotype dependent

“…In Africa, sorghum is mainly cultivated by small farmers as staple food and for beverage production ( Haiyambo, Reinhold-Hurek & Chimwamurombe, 2015 ). By contrast, sorghum is mostly used for the feed market in North and Central America and for animal feedstock, ethanol production, and soil coverage in South America ( Dutra et al, 2013 ; Perazzo et al, 2013 ; Damasceno, Schaffert & Dweikat, 2014 ; Rao et al, 2014 ). Sorghum is currently the fifth most cultivated cereal worldwide ( Ramu et al, 2013 ) and in 2014, approximately 71 million tons of sorghum grains were produced around the world ( FAO, 2018 ).…”

Fermentation Profile, Aerobic Stability, and Chemical and Mineral Composition of Cactus Pear Silages with Different Inclusion Levels of Gliricidia Hay

“…The dry matter content of the material to be ensiled is essential for the ensiling process, as it determines the type of fermentation that will develop inside the silo [ 24 ]. Therefore, although gliricidia hay acts as a moisture sequester, cactus pear contains mucilage, which is composed of glycoprotein and organic acids, providing it with water retention capacity [ 25 ].…”

Productive and Qualitative Traits of Sorghum Genotypes Used for Silage under Tropical Conditions

“…The choice of which type of sorghum to cultivate was once based on its ability to generate a high yield. The low cost of producing higher-yielding sorghum types was considered their main advantage, besides their nutritional value [8]. The development of sorghum varieties has enabled the production of hybrids better suited for ensilage, aiming not only at good dry matter yields but also at improved nutritional value [9].…”