EVALUATION OF RHODES GRASS (Chloris gayana Kunth) CULTIVARS WITH LOCAL FORAGE CROPS IN THE SUDAN

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted during the period 2006-08 at the Experimental Farm of Shambat Research Station. The first experiment continued for two years (2006-08) whereas the second one covered one year (2008). The objectives were to investigate the performance of five Rhodes grass cultivars (Fine Cut, HayMaker, Katambora Australia, Katambora Zimbabwe and Top Cut) in comparison with four local cultivars comprising two perennial forage legumes: 'Alfalfa' (Medicago sativa L.); Clitoria (Clitoria ternatea L.) and two annuals forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) 'Abu 70' and ‘Garawi’ (Sorghum sudanense “piper” stapf). The materials were arranged in RCBD with 3 replicates. The Rhodes and forage legumes cultivars were evaluated across 19 and 9 cuts in the first and the second experiment, respectively. The forage sorghum cultivars were evaluated for 4 cuts in both experiments. The data collected include fresh and dry forage yield, days to 50 percent flowering and plant height. The proximate analysis was carried out for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). The statistical analysis was performed as split plot considering the cuts as split in time imposed over the genotypes (main units) in a Randomized Complete Block Designed (RCBD). The Contrast analysis was performed for Rhodes cultivars as group vs each of forage legume and forage sorghum groups. Mean squares from combined ANOVA indicated that differences between genotypes in forage yield were significant pointing to genetic variability existing among the studied materials The contrast analysis indicated that Rhodes grass group significantly outyielded that of forage sorghum group (Abu 70 and Garawi) in all cuts other than the first cut. The Rhodes grass group significantly outyielded ‘Alfalfa and Clitoria throughout all cuts. Quality wise, the results obtained indicated the inferiority of Rhodes grass compared to Alfalfa. However, compared to forage sorghums, percentages of protein shown by Rhodes grass in this study (11% - 13%) were quite comparable, if not better than those reported in the Sudan and elsewhere (6-10%). The results obtained in this study, suggested the validity of introducing Rhodes grass as a new forage crop in the Sudan as it lends itself to modernized systems of forage production (mechanized hay-making system) that help greatly in boosting fodder production. Being a perennial crop with high yielding capacity, good storability and transportability, Rhodes grass is expected to help in bridging the accidental gaps in forage production. More studies are needed to evaluate Rhodes grass under rain-fed or at least partial rain-fed (with supplementary irrigation) conditions with the objectives of reducing cost of production.