Yield stability and quality of some sorghum and pearl millet genotypes for forage production under irrigation conditions of Sudan

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1 AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY JOURNAL OF NORTH AMERICA ISSN Print: , ISSN Online: , doi: /abjna , ScienceHuβ, Yield stability and quality of some sorghum and pearl millet genotypes for forage production under irrigation conditions of Sudan Sara A. Babiker, Moataz A.M. Elbasheir, Mozzamil A. M. Eltalib and Mohammed A. M. Khair Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC) Forage and Pasture Research Programm Wad Medani, Sudan Corresponding author e.mail: ABSTRACT The study was carried out at Gezira and Hudeiba Research Station Farms, Sudan during 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 seasons to evaluate Sugar Graze (sorghum hybrid genotype) and Nutrifeed (pearl millet hybrid genotype) in comparison with local sorghum (Kambal) and local pearl millet. The treatments comprised three forage sorghum/sudan grass hybirds viz., Pannar 888, Sugar graze, Jumbo and sorghum bicolor cv. Kambal, and four pearl millet genotypes viz., Local, Ashana, Ugandi and Nutrifeed. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The dry forage yields of sorghum genotypes were superior to those of pearl millet genotypes in both seasons at Gezira Research Farm and in the first season at Hudeiba Researh Farm. Differences among the dry forage yields (DFYs) of sorghum genotypes were significant in both seasons at Gezira and Hudeiba. The mean across both seasons showed that the dry forage yield of sugar graze was the highest 11.8 t/ha and 7.9 t/ha at Gezira and hudeiba, respectively. Sugar graze out yielded Kambal by 9% and 18% at Gezira and Hudeiba, respectively. The DFYs of all pearl millet genotypes were surpassed by that of the local. The mean across both seasons showed no significant differences were found between local pearl millet and Nutrifeed at Gezira and Hudeiba. The local pearl millet out yielded Nutrifeed by 11% and 13% at Gezira and Hudeiba Research Farms, respectively. Sugar graze and Nutrifeed were stable across the test environments associated with the highest mean yield and relatively highest Crude protein. Key words: Yield stability; quality; forage production; irrigation condition INTRODUCTION In Sudan, the area of rangelands and irrigated forages is 96 million and 30 thousand hectares, respectively (Africover, 2005 cited in Abusuwar and Yahia, 2010). The estimated dry matter production for animal feed is million tons (Abu-Suwar and Drrag, 2002). Due to degradation and desertification of rangelands in Sudan, the total dry matter production for livestock feeding is decreasing (Jindal et al., 2008). To cope with the increased livestock numbers and the shortage in forage production in natural rangelands, production of high quantities of high-quality forage crops could be one of the alternatives to bridge the huge forage gap in Sudan which is estimated at about 21 million tons (Khair, 2011). Most of this gap is in the form of concentrates, which are unlikely to increase under the current farming systems in Sudan. The current available cultivated forages are Abu Sabeen and Alfalfa which occupy around 95% of the area cropped to forage crops in Khartoum state (Statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture, Khartoum state, 2007). Abu Sabeen ( bicolor) is the predominant forage crop along the River Nile and its tributaries (Khair, 1999). It is, however, non-tillering, non-juicy, with extremely limited regrowth capability, low leaf/stem ratio and hence low quality. The situation is even more aggrieved by further reduction in quality due to erroneously delayed harvesting Abu-Suwar (2004) and Khair (1999) mentioned that alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is considered the top ranking (94 per cent of the total cultivated forage crops) among irrigated forage crops in Sudan. Alfalfa production is confined to areas from Khartoum northward and sizable quantities of the production are being exported. Hence, its role in domestic animal feeding is limited.

2 A new / Sudan grass hybrid by the name Sugar Graze was introduced recently. As the name implies, 16% of the crop dry matter is sugar. Hence its feeding value is definitely higher than the above mentioned hybrids and Abu Sabeen. Its high sugar content might make it a suitable crop for silage making. Hence its performance in Sudan is worth of studying. In addition to sorghum, pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) is likely to play a big role as irrigated forage crops because it is indigenous to Sudan (Stapf and Hubbart, 1934) with high potential for forage production and can withstand close defoliation (Abdalla et al., 2008). Recently, selection from Sudan collection revealed high forage yielding accessions during the rainy and winter seasons (Babiker et al., 2014). Thus, The objective of this study therefore, was to evaluate Sugar Graze (sorghum hybrid genotype) and Nutrifeed (pearl millet hybrid genotype) in comparison with local sorghum (Kambal) and local pearl millet at Gezira and Hudeiba Research Farms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experimental site: The study was carried out at the Gezira and Hudeiba Research Station Farms during summer seasons of 2011/2012 and 2012/2013. The soil of Gezira Research Farm is heavy, alkaline, cracking clay (clay 58%, ph 8.3, organic matter 0.02, nitrogen 0.25, phosphorus 0.06 and potash 3.0%). The soil of Hudeiba Research Farm is clay to clay loam (ph , organic carbon 0.4, total nitrogen 3.6 and total phosphorus 2.5). Experimental design: The treatments comprised three forage sorghum/sudan grass hybirds viz., Pannar 888, Sugar graze, Jumbo and bicolor cv. Kambal (local check), and four pearl millet genotypes viz., Local, Ashana, Ugandi and Nutrifeed (pearl millet hybrid). The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Cultural practices: The land was prepared in the two sites by disc ploughing, disc harrowing, leveling and then ridging. The plot size was 16.8 m 2.The seeds were hand drilled on the top of ridges at the rate of 48 kg/hectare for sorghum and 12 kg/hectare for pearl millet. Nitrogen fertilizer at the rate of 192 kg urea/hectare was applied in two equal doses one at the second irrigation and the other at the fourth irrigation. The same experiment was sown at both locations on the 2 nd of July in 2011 and The experiments were irrigated according to the need of the crops. The crops were hand-hoed three times to control weeds. The crop was harvested at milk stage. Data collected: The data collected were establishments (%), days to 50 % heading, plant height (cm), number of culms /m 2, stem diameter (cm), leaf to stem ratio and fresh and dry matter yields (t/ha). The green matter yield was immediately weighed in the field and a sub sample of one kg was taken and oven dried for dry matter yield determination. Protein content was determined at the feed analysis laboratory, Elobeid Research Station, ARC according to the analytical methods used by the AOAC, (1990). Statistical analysis: Data for each season were analyzed separately. Before the combined analysis, the homogeneity test was made for dry forage yield across the two seasons for each location. Stability analysis was performed following Wricke (1962). The estimates of GxE statistics obtained by this method (Wrickes ecovalence coefficients) are the effects for each entry, squared and summed across all environments, as a measure of stability. As the ecovalence value increases, the genotype's contribution to the total GXE sum of squares also increases. The statistical package GenStat version 15 was used to run the ANOVA, whereas Breeding Management System (BMS) software was used to run the stability analysis. RESULTS Tables I show mean squares from combined ANOVA for dry forage yield at Gezira and Hudeiba Research Station Farm. Differences among genotypes were very highly significant for dry forage yield at Gezira and Hudeiba. Also, genotype by environment interaction (GxE) was very highly significant for dry forage yield at Gezira and Hudeiba. Dry forage yield (t/ha): In general, the dry forage yields of sorghum genotypes were superior to those of pearl millet genotypes in both seasons at Gezira Research Farm and in the first season at Hudeiba Research Farm (Tables 2 and 3). Differences among the dry forage yields (DFYs) of sorghum genotypes were significant in both seasons at Gezira and Hudeiba (Tables 2 and 3). Significant differences were found between Kambal and Sugar Graze in the second season at Gezira and Hudeiba. The mean across both seasons showed that the dry forage yield of sugar graze was the highest (11.8 t/ha) and (7.9 t/ha) at Gezira and Hudeiba Research Farms, respectively. Sugar graze out yielded Kambal 79

3 by 9% and 18% at Gezira and Hudeiba Research Farms, respectively (Tables 2 and 3). In contrast, the differences in the DFYs among the pearl millet genotypes at the two sites were significant in both seasons (Tables 2 and 3). Although the mean across both seasons did not show significant differences among the tested pearl millet genotypes for DFYs, the local pearl millet out yielded Nutrifeed by 11% and 13% at Gezira and Hudeiba Research Farms, respectively (Tables 2 and 3). Table 1. Mean squares from combined ANOVA for dry forage yield at Gezira and Hudeiba Research Station Farm Source of variation d.f. m.s. v.r. F pr. Gezira Season NS Season.rep NS genotypes *** Season. genotype *** Residual Total 47 Hudeiba Season *** Season.rep NS genotypes *** Season. genotype *** Residual Total 47 ***: Significant at probability levels of NS: Not significant at d.f. = Degree of freedom, m.s. = Mean square, v.r = F calculatet, F pr. = Probability Table 2. Dry forage yield (t/ha) of four genotypes of each of sorghum and pearl millet grown at Gezira Research Station farm for two seasons 2011/012 and 2012/013. Genotypes 2011/ /013 Mean % of best check Kambal Sugar graze Pannar Jumbo Local millet Nutrifeed Ashana Ugandi SE± P.Value C.V. (%)

4 Table 3. Dry forage yield (t/ha) of four genotypes of each of sorghum and pearl millet grown at Hudeiba Research Station farm for two seasons 2011/012 and 2012/013. Genotypes 2011/ /013 Mean % of best check Kambal Sugar graze Pannar Jumbo Local millet Nutrifeed Ashana Ugandi SE± P.Value C.V. (%) Days to 50% flowering: genotypes varied considerably in attaining the stage of 50% flowering. The mean across both seasons showed that pannar 888 and Jumbo were earlier than sugar graze and kambal at Gezira Research Farm. While at Hudeiba Research Farm, pannar 888, jumbo and kambal were earlier than sugar graze. Generally, sugar graze was the latest in attaining 50% flowering at both Gezira and Hudeiba Research Farms (Table 4). The mean across both seasons showed that local pearl millet, Ashana and Ugandi were earlier than hybrid pearl millet (Nutrifeed) at both Gezira and Hudeiba Research Farms. Generally, Nutrifeed was the latest in attaining 50% flowering at both Gezira and Hudeiba Research Farms (Table 4). Table 4. Days to 50% flowering of four genotypes of each of sorghum and pearl millet grown at Gezira and Hudeiba Research Station farm for two seasons 2011/012 and 2012/013. Genotypes Gezira Hudeiba Mean Mean Kambal Sugar graze Pannar Jumbo Local millet Nutrifeed Ashana Ugandi SE± P.Value C.V. (%)

5 Plant height (cm): Among the sorghum genotypes, the mean across both seasons showed that kambal was the tallest plant at Gezira Research Farm. On the other hand, pannar 888 was the tallest plant at Hudeiba Research Farm. Among the pearl millet genotypes, the mean across both seasons showed that Nutrifeed was the tallest plant at both Gezira and Hudeiba Research Farms (Table 5). Table 5. Plant height (cm) of four genotypes of each of sorghum and pearl millet grown at Gezira and Hudeiba Research Station farm for two seasons 2011/012 and 2012/013. Genotypes Gezira Hudeiba Mean Mean Kambal Sugar graze Pannar Jumbo Local millet Nutrifeed Ashana Ugandi SE± P.Value C.V. (%) Leaf to stem ratio: The mean across both seasons showed significant differences among sorghum genotypes for leaf to stem ratio at Hudeiba Research Farm only. kambal was leafier than other genotypes, but no significant differences were found between kambal and sugar graze. On the other hand, no significant differences were found among pearl millet genotypes for leaf to stem ratio at both Gezira and Hudeiba Research Farms (Table 6). Table 6. Leaf to stem ratio of four genotypes of each of sorghum and pearl millet grown at Gezira and Hudeiba Research Station farm for two seasons 2011/012 and 2012/013. Genotypes Gezira Hudeiba Mean Mean Kambal Sugar graze Pannar Jumbo Local millet Nutrifeed Ashana Ugandi SE± P. Value C.V. (%)

6 Stability analysis: Among sorghum genotypes, analysis of yield stability based on Wrickes ecovalence coefficient (Table 7) showed that the hybrid Sugar Graze has second lowest value (its relative stable across the test environments) associated with the highest mean yield (9.834 t/ha). On the other hand, Jumbo has the lowest value (its stable across the test environments), but associated with the lowest mean yield (7.142). Among pearl millet genotypes, analysis of yield stability based on Wrickes ecovalence coefficient (Table 7) showed that the hybrid Nutrifeed has the lowest value (its stable across the test environments) associated with the relatively highest mean yield (6.778 t/ha). On the other hand, local pearl millet has the second lowest value (its relative stable across the test environments), but associated with the highest mean yield (7.692). Table 7. Stability superiority measure coefficients and Wrickes ecovalence coefficients of eight genotypes of sorghum and pearl millet grown at four environments during 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 seasons Genotypes Means Stability superiority measure coefficients Wrickes ecovalence coefficients Sugar graze Kambal Jumbo Pannar Local pearl millet Nutrifeed Ashana Ugandi Forage quality: The studied genotypes differed significantly in Crude Protein (CP) (Table 8). Among the sorghum genotypes, the highest CP was obtained by Kambal (8.3) and pannar 888 (8.1). On the other hand, a mong the pearl millet genotypes the highest CP was obtained by Nutrifeed (8.2). Table 8. Percentages of Crude Protein (CP) of four genotypes of sorghum and pearl millet grown for two seasons 2011/012 and 2012/013. genotypes CP% genotypes CP% Kambal 8.3 Local pearl millet 6.2 Sugar graze 7.1 Nutrifeed 8.2 Pannar Ashana 6.9 Jumbo 7.6 Ugandi 6.6 SE± 0.06 C.V. (%) 1.22 Discussion: The best solution to the paradox of having considerably huge animal numbers and extremely low animal production in Sudan is undoubtedly through the adoption of intensive animal production farms. This in turn necessitates production of huge quantities of high quality animal feed. The animal production in Sudan is burdened by extremely big feed gap (Khair, 2011). The situation is more aggravated in the concentrates as the maximum annual sorghum grain production in good years seldom exceeds 5 million tons. The need of searching for alternative energy rich feeds stands as 83

7 the biggest challenge to enable the adoption of intensive animal farms. Ensiling cereal forage crops is a possible way to compensate for the low sorghum grain production. Ideally, maize is the most worldwide preferable crop for silage making (McDonald et al., 1991). Maize in Sudan however, although not grown extensively, could be grown by irrigation for silage making. This is of a particular importance as we have noticed the importation of silage from Egypt for a dairy farm at Shendi. Sweet sorghum in Sudan is highly adapted and therefore, could be possible alternative to maize for silage making. The data on Sugar Graze in this study are completely in line with this last point. Sugar Graze is highly reputed by the producing company for its high sugar content (16%). This latter is a prerequisite for any silage making suited crop. In contrast to maize, Sugar Graze could be grown in vast areas in Sudan and in confined grazing systems in large scale dairy farms around big cites. In addition to its high sugar content, its dry matter yield is either similar or even higher than those of Kambal at Gezira Research Farm in both seasons and at Hudeiba Research Farm in 2011 season. Moreover, its forage attributes such as leaf/stem ratio, stem girth and CP% were similar to those of Kambal. Added to those, its plant height at harvest in both seasons at the Gezira Research Farm or in 2011 at Hudeiba Research Farm were high enough to eliminate any prussic acid toxicity risk (Wolf and Washko, 1967). Sugar Graze in this study, was evaluated as a single cut crop. Being a hybrid however, the possibility of having two or more cuts is highly valid. An alternative to silage is hay making. In this regard, Nutrifeed stands as a possible candidate because it is less Juicy. Its dry matter yield was comparable to those of the local in the Gezira in both seasons and in Hudeiba in Compared to Sugar Graze and Kambal, Nutrifeed was earlier. Quality wise, the leaf/stem ratio and CP% of Nutrifeed were comparable to those of Kambal and Sugar Graze. As pearl millet can tolerate several cuttings (Abdalla et al., 2008), Nutrifeed could be grown as a multiple cut crop. In conclusion, the performance of both sugar graze and Nutrifeed were high enough compared to Kambal and local pearl millet variety. Both crops could be utilized to mitigate the shortage of sorghum grain especially in intensive animal farms. Sugar Graze could be utilized for hay and silage making, while Nutifeed could be utilized for hay making. REFERENCES Abdalla FMI, Khair MAM, Ahmed AI and Babiker SA (2008). Effects of nitrogen fertilizer and seed rate on performance, forage yield and quality of pearl millet Pennisetum glaucum (L.) Leeke. Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research, 11: Abusuwar, AO and Yahia, EO (2010), Pastoralist and seasonality: their effects on range productivity and carrying capacity in a semiarid rangeland of Sudan (Southeast Darfur State), Agriculture and Biology Journal of North America, Vol. 2, pp Abu-Suwar, AOM (2004), Methods of Producing and Preserving Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), University of Khartoum Printing Press, Sudan (in Arabic). Abu-Suwar, AOM and Drrag, A (2002), The Possibility of integration of forage production and processing in Arabic Countries, Country Study, Sudan, AOAD [Arab Organization for Agricultural Statistics (in Arabic)]. Babiker SA, Khair MAM and Tahir ISA (2014). Exploitation of forage attribute based variations in Sudan pearl millet [ Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] Collections. Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization 12(1); Jindal R., B. Swallow, J. Kerr (2008). Forestry-based carbon sequestration projects in Africa: potential benefits and challenges. Nat. Res. Forum, 32), pp Khair MAM (2011). Messages to Upgrade the Production and Consecution of Forages in Sudan. Training and Publication Administration. Wad Medani: Agricultural Research Corporation (in Arabic). Khair, M.A.M. (1999). Principles of Forage Production. Training and Publication Administration. Wad Medani: Agricultural Research Corporation. McDonald P, Henderson N and Heron S (1991). The Biochemistry of Silage 2 nd edition. Printers Ltd Aberystwyth. Official Methods of Analysis (1990). Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). Washington D. C., U.S.A. Stapf O and Hubbart CE (1934) Gramineae. In: Prain D (ed.) Flora of Tropical Africa, vol. 9. London: CAB, pp Wolf DD and Washko WW (1967). Distribution and concentration of HCN in a sorghum-sudan grass hybrid. Agro. J. 59, Wricke G (1962). Über eine Methode zur Erfassung der ekologischen Streubreite in Feldversuchen Z. Pflanzenzücht. 47: