The Performance of Abu Sabein (Sorghum Bicolor)and Sudangrass (Sorghum Sudanese) Under Different Levels of Phosphorous Fertilizer
التوم الصادق علي, عبلة كاب الرفيق عبد البخيت
كلية الزراعة-جامعة الخرطوم · السودان
A field experiment was conducted during the season 2005 at the Demonstration Farm, University of Khartoum, Faculty of Agriculture, Shambat to investigate the effect of different level of phosphorous fertilizer (0. 50, 100, 150, 200 kg P2O5 per ha) on the performance of two sorghum forage species, Abu Sabein and Sudangrass. Measurements include growth attribute, forage yield, crude protein, crude fibre and phosphorous content. Results showed that the effect of phosphorous application on growth attributes was not significant. Abu sabein gave thicker stem compared to Sudangrass and plant population was higher for Sudangrass. Days to 50% flowering were significantly (P<0.05) more at zero level of phosphorous (control) compared to other phosphorous levels. Days to 50% flowering were not significantly different between the two cultivars. Forage fresh and dry yield was not significantly affected by phosphorous, however, high levels of phosphorous show slight increase in yield. Although there was no significant increase in yield between the two cultivars, Abu Sabein produced 32% higher yield compared to Sudangrass. Ratoon yield was not affected by phosphorous. Sudangrass gave slightly higher fresh ratoon yield and significantly higher dry ratoon yield compared to Abu Sabein. Crude protein and crude fibre contents were not significantly affected by phosphorous, but generally crude protein was slightly higher in plants treated with phosphorous compared to the control. Although the effect of phosphorous fertilizer on phosphorous content was not significant, but plants treated with phosphorous fertilizer showed higher phosphorous content compared to the control. The two cultivars showed non-significant differences in crude protein, crude fibre and phosphorous contents.