Agronomic performance and silage quality traits of forage sorghum hybrids in 1992

Authors

R.N. Sonon
B.S. Dalke
D.L. Holthaus
D.R. Bonilla
L. Pfaff
K.K. Bolsen
Matthew A. Young

Keywords

Cattlemen's Day, 1993; Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution; no. 93-318-S; Report of progress (Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service); 678; Beef; Forage sorghum; Hybrid; Silage; Yield

Abstract

Rainfall was much above and temperature much below normal during the 1992 growing season. Both whole-plant dry matter (DM) and grain yields were excellent for all 11 hybrids. The two short, mid-maturing, forage sorghums (Northrup King 300 and Golden Harvest H-45) had the highest silage and grain yields; the early-maturing (Cargill 200F) and male sterile (Golden Harvest H-1) forage sorghums and the grain sorghum (DeKalb DK 42Y) the lowest silage yields. A storm with high winds on October 7 and 8 caused severe lodging in all six mid- and late-maturing hybrids (earlier-maturing hybrids had already been harvested). The 10 forage sorghum hybrids differed significantly in three important silage quality traits"”whole-plant DM, crude protein, and acid detergent fiber. Silage agronomic performance for four of the forage sorghums over 6 of the past 7 years is presented.

Recommended Citation

Sonon, R.N.; Dalke, B.S.; Holthaus, D.L.; Bonilla, D.R.; Pfaff, L.; Bolsen, K.K.; and Young, Matthew A. (1993) "Agronomic performance and silage quality traits of forage sorghum hybrids in 1992," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 0: Iss. 1. https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.2111