Yield, Agronomic Characteristics and Chemical Composition of Silage Fodder (Sorghum bicolor L.) With and Without Fertilization

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate the yield and structural characteristics of sorghum fodder, as
well as the chemical quality of the fodder and the silage with and without fertilization.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The evaluated variables were, in the fodder: dry
matter yield (DMY, kg ha -1 ), leaf:stalk ratio (L:S, g g -1 ), plant height (H, cm) and
intercepted radiation (IR, %); and in the silage: dry matter (DM, %) crude protein (CP,
%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF, %), acid detergent fiber (ADF, %), lactic acid (LA,
%) and pH. There were two treatments, with fertilization and without fertilization.

Results: The agronomic characteristics L:S, H and IR improved with fertilization
(P<0.05). The DMY with fertilization was 7060 kg DM ha -1 and without fertilization, it
was 5472 kg DM ha -1 . The values of DM, CP, NDF, ADF and LA of the silage with
fertilization were 33.60, 7.83, 51.06, 28.51 and 4.51%, respectively, and the pH was
4.3, and without fertilization these values were 47.67, 5.83, 43.36, 25.21 and 2.86%,
respectively, and the pH was 4.66; all values were different when comparing with and
without fertilization (P<0.05).Study Limitations/Implications: These quality parameters should continue to be
studied in sorghum silages and with different fertilization doses to expand the
decision outlook.
Findings/Conclusions: According to the results obtained, it is concluded that the
sorghum fodder crop should be fertilized for the ensilage, since higher dry matter
yield, better agronomic, and nutritional characteristics are obtained.s