The effects of different irrigation water levels on the biomass and forage quality of sweet sorghum in Çukurova condition

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different irrigation water levels on the biomass yield and forage quality. M81-E sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor var. saccharatum (L.) Mohlenbr.) genotype was used as the plant material for the study. Field experiments were conducted at the experimental fields of Çukurova University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Structures and Irrigation, in 2017 and second-crop conditions (June-October) in a randomized complete blocks design (RCBD) with 3 replications. In the experiment, 4 different irrigation levels 100% (I1), 75% (I2), 50% (I3) and 25% (I4) were applied during plant development periods. Irrigation was done according to the Class-A pan evaporation values measured at 7-day intervals. In this research, total irrigation water was applied to the experimental treatments between 227.8 and 479.6 mm. Harvest was performed between milk and soft dough stages. In addition to the determination of biomass yield, whole plant was ensiled and silage quality attributes were also determined. As a result of the research, according to irrigation levels applied; biomass yield ranged between 8733 and 13300 kg da-1, and the highest yield was found at I1 and the lowest yield at I4 treatments. Besides, it has been determined that different irrigation water levels have statistically significant effect on neutral detergent fiber (NDF), crude protein (CP) ratio, crude ash (CA), dry matter intake (DMI), and relative feed value (RFV) amongst the main quality characteristics of silage.

Keywords

• sweet sorghum
• irrigation levels
• biomass
• fodder
• quality