Agrobiological characteristics of aftermath ability and shoot structure in cultivation of fodder sorghum

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 623-630

J. Environ. Treat. Tech.

ISSN: 2309-1185

Journal web link: http://www.jett.dormaj.com

Agrobiological Characteristics of Aftermath

Ability and Shoot Structure in Cultivation of

Fodder Sorghum

Nikolai M. Belous, Sergei A. Belchenko, Alexander V. Dronov*, Vladimir V. Dyachenko,

Vladimir E. Torikov

Federal State Budget Educational Institution of Higher Education “Bryansk State Agrarian University” 243365, Russia, Bryansk

region, Vygonichsky district, selo Kokino (village), Sovetskaya str., 2a

Received: 12/06/2019

Accepted: 1/09/2019

Published: 03/09/2019

Abstract

The article presents long-term results of the study of the aftergrowth mechanism depending on the morphobiological parameters of

the structure and development of fodder sorghum plants, the time of cutting, cutting height, application of mineral fertilizers and other

technologies of sorghum crops cultivation. The aim of the research was to study the agrobiological characteristics of aftergrowth and

the shoot structure of crops of sugar sorghum, Sudan grass and sorghum-Sudan hybrids in conditions of gray forest soils of the south-

western part of the Central region of Russia (Bryansk region). Research methods include field, laboratory and statistical methods. Four

types of aftergrowth have been identified: 1) - formation of new shoots from the buds of the tillering node (mesocorm); 2) - formation

of new shoots from the uncut first (lower) internodes in the leaf axils; 3) - growth of shoots whose apical point was untouched during

cutting (from uncut short shoots); 4) - from the meristem tissue of cut shoots through their reproduction. According to the aftergrowth

ability, a group of grass sorghum with good aftermathability and sugar sorghum with slight aftergrowth of the shoots can be singled

out. The magnitude and differences in the aftermath yields are associated with the phytomeric structure of the sorghum plant shoots

that grow and develop their primordia due to the activity of the apical meristem. Prevalent in the pastures of the studied genotypes of

sorghum were generative, elongated vegetative and lateral aerial shoots with a complete and incomplete development cycle. The

formation of a greater number of lateral aerial shoots (with branching) and shortened shoots was observed in plants on fertilized

variants, especially those treated with nitrogen supplements. Prevalent in the aftergrass pastures of Sudan grass and a sorghum-Sudan

hybrid were elongated vegetative shoots with a high proportion of leaves from 45 to 57%. When cut at10–12 cm, a more intense

aftergrowth of grass sorghum was observed. The yield of the aftermath of the sorghum and sorghum-Sudan hybrid was on average

14.3–22.7% higher than by a low cut (5–6 cm). The maximum yield of dry matter of more than 15.0 t/ha was obtained using the

aftermath of Sudan grass.

Keywords: Fodder sorghum, Phytomer, Mineral fertilizers, Cutting height, Aftermath

encompasses Sudan grass, sorghum-Sudan hybrids (SSH) and

sugar sorghum, which are widely represented in Russia from

its western regions to the Far East (1, 6, 9, 14, 18, 19, 20, 24).

Currently, scientists at the All-Russian Research and

Development Institute of Cereal Crops named after I.G.

Kalinenko, All-Russian Research Institute of Sorghum and

Soybean “Slavyanskoe pole”, Russian Research and Design

Institute of Sorghum and Corn, Stavropol Research Institute of

Agriculture, OOO Agroplasma and other research institutions

are doing extensive and fruitful work on selection, seed

production and development of agricultural technology in

Russia. Today, when characterizing modern varieties and

hybrids of sorghum, particular importance is attached to its

Introduction

Expanding the species diversity of agrocenoses using

sorghum fodder crops, which are characterized by high

plasticity, neutral response to day length, stable yield, intense

growth and the possibility of obtaining 2-3 aftermaths or

grazing cycles, resistance to stress factors of the abiotic

environment, is an innovative trend in production of high-

quality fodder in many regions of Russia. The expansion of the

range of distribution and use of fodder sorghum is promoted

by new achievements in selection for the creation of thermo-

and photoneutral genotypes characterized by rapid early

growth, resistance to cold, ability to form high and stable

fodder yields. The name "fodder sorghum" usually

Corresponding author: Alexander V. Dronov, Federal State Budget Educational Institution of Higher Education “Bryansk State

Agrarian University” 243365, Russia, Bryansk region, Vygonichsky district, selo Kokino (village), Sovetskaya str., 2a. E-mail:

dronov.bsgha@yandex.ru.

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 623-630

aftergrowth. Sorghum aftermath as a fodder crop is a positive

feature that allows collecting two or more full-scale yield of

the top weight and makes it possible to rationally regulate the

period of use and collect green weight for forage or for

ensilaging in late autumn. To maximize the productive

potential of fodder sorghum, it is necessary to make wider use

of the biological ability of plants for aftergrowth. This is also

explained by the fact that the formation of a aftergrowth is

significantly influenced by such factors as the timing and

height of the first cutting, tillering intensity, the ability of

sorghum plants to grow in different ways, the amount of

nutrients in the soil, weather and other conditions (2, 4, 13, 15).

The results of many years of research by scientists of the

Bryansk State Agrarian University on practical introduction of

sorghum crops in the field fodder production made it possible

to suggest multivariate technologies of their cultivation in the

southwestern part of the Central Region. It should be noted that

in the conditions of the Bryansk region, for the first time in

Russia, a new technology was developed for the creation and

use of a commercial sorghum pasture, which was implemented

in the Kistersky agricultural production cooperative of the

Pogarskiy district of the Bryansk region (3, 8, 10, 11, 22, 23).

The formation of aftermath in grass sorghum (Sudan grass,

sorghum-Sudan hybrids) is sufficiently studied, whereas the

aftermath has not been taken into account in revealing the full

productivity of sugar sorghum for various reasons (due to

alkaloidness of young plants, low aftermath ability of the

culture, etc.). In this case, we should express our point of view

and support the opinion of reputable scientists and researchers

of the Don, Kuban, and Volga regions, who propose changes

to the Methodology of the State Commission for the Sorghum

Variety Trial Testing (1989), since it can not ensure accurate

account of aftermath of modern varieties and hybrids. In their

studies, the harvesting of the main crop of the above-ground

mass and aftermath of fodder sorghum was carried out using

single-cut and two-cut patterns. However, the afterbirth

formation features related to the phytomeric structure of

sorghum stems, the height and frequency of cutting, mineral

nutrition conditions and harvest time were not fully revealed.

Therefore, a study of the mechanism of aftergrowth depending

on the agrobiological characteristics of sugar and grass

sorghum, is interesting both from scientific and industrial

points of view.

2.63 mEq. per 100 g of soil. The soil is characterized by a low

content of labile phosphorus and exchange potassium.

The research methods included field, laboratory and

statistical methods.

The objects of research were viable sorghum-Sudan

hybrids selected at the All-Russian Research Institute of

Sorghum and Soybean “Slavyanskoe pole”, (Rostov region,

Zernograd): Slavyanskoe pole 15, Slavyanskoe pole 18 and

Priusadebnyy; hybrids selected at the All-Russian Research

and Development Institute of Cereal Crops named after I.G.

Kalinenko (Rostov region): Intensive F and sugar sorghum –

Zersil F ; Sudan grass – Kinelskaya 100 variety (originator -

Volga Volga Research Institute of Selection and Seed Farming

named after P.N. Konstantinov). The predecessor cultures

were soybean, winter triticale and annual grasses. Agricultural

technologies used were common in the region for forage crops.

The research was performed in accordane to widely accepted

methods (7, 16, 17).

The mineral fertilizers in the form of azofoska –

background 1 (N60P K60) and borofoska – background 2

60) were applied during pre-seeding treatment with the

(P60K

combined unit RVK-3.6, and nitrogen fertilizers in the form of

ammonium nitrate (top dressing): doses – N30, N60 and the N90

– during the beginning of the tillering phase on these

backgrounds. Each genotype (variety, hybrid) was sown using

a SN-16 seeder in 4 rows with 60 cm between them; the plot

length was 70 m; the experiment was replicated four times; the

test plot area was 10m ; the variants were placed

systematically. During the growing season of the studied

genotypes of fodder sorghum, phenological monitoring of

growth and development was carried out, and plant height,

number of shoots, parameters of leaves and panicles were

determined according to The Broad Unified CMEA Classiffier

of Cultivated Species of the Genus Sorghum Moench (25).

Assessment of above-ground mass was performed using the

cut-sample method by weighing - during the late stem

elongation stage and early heading stage (fodder variant, two-

cut pattern) and the milk-wax stage of ripeness of the grain

(hay-silage variant, single-cut). To perform a structural

analysis, sheaves of the green mass yield of 1 kg were sampled.

Laboratory analysis was performed in the scientific training

laboratory of field fodder production and the Center for

collective use of instrument and scientific equipment of the

Bryansk State Agrarian University.

Farm testing of scientific developments was carried out in

several farms in the Bryansk, Vygonichsky, Zhiryatinsky,

Pochepsky, Pogarsky, Trubchevsky and Novozybkovsky

districts of the Bryansk region. For more than ten years, the

base farms have been the Kokino instructional farm, LLC

Bryansk Meat Company, the Okhotno Agroholding, the

agricultural production cooperative Agrofirm Kultura, the

Kistersky agricultural production cooperative, and the

experimental fields of the Novozybkovskaya agricultural

experimental station in the zone of radioactive contamination

as result of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

In view of this, the study of the production process of

aftergrowth of fodder sorghum depending on growth and

cultivation conditions has become the basis of this research.

The main task was to assess the agrobiological characteristics

of aftermath formation and the shoot structure of crops of

sugar sorghum, Sudan grass, and sorghum-Sudan hybrids on

gray forest soils in the southwest of the Central region of

Russia.

Material and methods

Field experiments were conducted during 2007–2018 at

the permanent study area of the experimental field of Bryansk

State Agrarian University. The soil is agrogray forest of

medium loamy granulometric composition. The structure of

the soil is lumpy and granular, turning lumpy and silty in the

upper layer and capable of crust formation after rains. The

thickness of the humus horizon is 20–50 cm, the humus

content is 3.8–4.0% (according to Tyurin). The reaction of the

soil solution is at a pH of 5.6–5.8; hydrolytic acidity (Hg) is

3 Results and discussion

According to the data of the meteorological station of the

Bryansk State Agrarian University, the climatic conditions of

vegetation seasons during the years of research were

characterized by a significant variation in both the average

daily air temperature and the amount of precipitation.

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 623-630

However, in general, it should be noted that the weather

conditions were favorable for the formation of sufficiently

high yields of fodder mass of varieties and sorghum hybrids in

atypical agro-climatic conditions of the south-western part of

the Central region of Russia. According to the meteorological

station of the Bryansk State Agrarian University, the climatic

conditions of vegetation periods during the years of research

were characterized by a significant variation in both the

average daily air temperature and the amount of precipitation.

However, in general, it should be noted that the weather

conditions were favorable for the formation of sufficiently

high yields of forage mass of varieties and sorghum hybrids in

non-traditional agro-climatic conditions of the south-western

part of the Central region of Russia. The results of field

experiments showed that the application of mineral fertilizers

contributed to an increase in the height of plants and the

intensity of shoot formation of sorghum fodder crops. A

general trend was observed that fertilized crops were

characterized by taller shoots and more intense tillering. On

the unfertilized variants full-scale lateral tillering shoots

almost did not form. The plants on the control plots were

almost of the same height of 140–165 cm. The shoot apical

growth was significant, especially during stem elongation and

heading stage when mineral fertilizers were used. Plant height

was over 200 cm, tillering energy increased, and partial

branching of the upper nodes of the main shoots was observed,

which resulted in unequal stem height and prolonged growing

season.

Analyzing the structure of the crop above-ground mass of

fodder sorghum, the variability of this indicator should be

emphasized, which characterized the parameters of shoot

formation and branching. Sudan grass and sorghum-Sudan

hybrids were noted to show some differences in the nature of

the formation of stem nodes of elongated phytomers of

apogeotropic shoots (elongated vegetative and generative).

Typical for sorghum-Sudan hybrids was the formation of

intravaginal lateral shoots (in the prefloral zone of the

elongated shoot. Elongated vegetative and latently

regenerative shoots branch after the flower initiation or apex

removal, and lateral aerial structures are formed acropetally,

after differentiation of the apical bud, without “its own” root

system. In this regard, it should be noted that the scattered

branching of apogeotropic shoots of sorghum is a positive

fodder quality.

vegetative and lateral aerial shoots with a complete and

incomplete development cycle. The formation of a large

number of lateral aerial shoots (with branching) and shortened

shoots was observed in plants on fertilized plots, especially

with nitrogen top dressing. Of great importance is

identification of leaves and stems ratio and the various organs

proportion, which indicates the use peculiarities and quality of

the fodder. According to our data, the leaves and stems ratio

of grass sorghum varied slightly – leaves accounted for 42.1–

50.2% of the harvest, stems – for 42.4–50.0%, panicles – 6.4–

7.9 % Thus, the analysis of the harvest structure showed that

the ratio of various types of shoots and their elements was

greatly influenced by introduction of mineral fertilizers,

especially nitrogen top dressing.

As a result of the experiments conducted on the gray forest

soils of the Bryansk high plains during the cultivation of

sorghum crops for fodder production, we found four types of

aftergrowth: the first is due to the formation of new shoots

from the buds of the tillering node (mesocorm); the second is

the formation of new shoots from the uncut first (lower)

internodes in the leaf axils; the third – growth of shoots whose

apical point was untouched during cutting (from uncut short

shoots); 4) the third – from the meristem tissue of cut shoots

through their reproduction. And, as a result of different forms

(types of mechanism) of aftergrowth, its aftermath ability and

the number of shoots of different origin are not the same (Table

1).

The results of our experiments show that among the

studied species, the weak growth was observed in plants of

sugar sorghum, and the fastest and most intense was observed

in grass sorghum. On average, the aftermath was formed as

follows: 83.4% – from tillering node buds, 12.4% – from lower

internodes, 3.2% – from the buds of uncut (shortened) stems

and 1.0% – from apical (growing) buds of elongated shoots.

Consequently, considering these data, it should be noted

that the aftermath formation in the process of aftergrowth

occurred through regeneration of cut shoots if they retained

their apex, as well as due to the formation of new shoots from

dormant vegetative buds that were below the level of cutting.

The results obtained on this issue are consistent with previous

studies (5, 12, 13) in the conventional zones of sorghum

plantation. In our opinion, the ability of sorghum plants for

intense growth depends on biological characteristics and

properties, first of all, tillering, which does not weaken during

the entire vegetation period.

Thus, our research confirmed that prevalent in the grass

stands of the studied hybrids were generative, elongated

Table 1: Types of aftermath mechanism of sorghum cultures

Growth from:

buds of lower stem

internodes

Culture

tillering node

buds

meristem tissue of cut

shoots

short shoots

Sugar sorghum

Sudan grass

+++

++++

+++

Sorghum-Sudan hybrid

++++

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 623-630

In addition, the formation of shoots, their growth and

number are influenced by the phytomeric structure of the

shoot, the scattered branching of the elongated (apogeotropic)

shoots and the applied agricultural technology (fertilizers,

cutting height, cutting frequency etc.).

(N30-90) after the first cutting in Sudan grass and sorghum-

Sudan hybrid than in sugar sorghum, which affected the yield

of the second cutting.

The data obtained indicate that in the southwestern part of

the Central region of Russia, two full-scale green mass yields

of fodder sorghum can be obtained within a single vegetation

period (cutting phase – early heading stage). The period

between cuts was 47–56 days. The height of sorghum plants at

the second cut was between 60.1–115.3 cm. It was

characteristic that the tilling capacity of the aftermath plants

increased more than twice. On average, over four years, the

Different aftermath yield of fodder sorghum is associated

with the phytomeric structure of the shoot that grow and

develop their primordia due to the activity of the apical

meristem. Russian and foreign scientists (5, 21, 26, 27, 28)

define "phytomers" as independent segments of the shoot,

formed in the form of leaf primordia or leaf-bearing shoots.

The number of phytomers in the studied assortment of sugar

sorghum and sorghum-Sudan hybrids was 10–13, depending

on the height of the variety or hybrid, in Sudan grass – 4–6.

We noted that sorghum plants showed some differences in the

nature of the formation of stem nodes of elongated phytomers

of apogeotropic shoots (elongated vegetative and generative).

Like corn, sorghum crops formed distinct stem nodes with

visible lignification of the lower internodes. In the aerial

sorghum stem nodes at the internode, a lateral bud with clearly

marked leaf and root primordia forming a one-level ring on the

outer side at the level of the bud can be seen under the leaf

sheath (roots primordia are most typical for lower phytomers).

Measurements of the lateral buds length revealed a general

tendency: starting from the lower to the upper metamers, the

length of the resting bud increases from 1.6–3.7 to 6.4–7.2 cm

and more; this trend was particularly prominent in generative

shoots of grass sorghum.

The aftermath green mass yield largely depended on the

cutting height of the first cut. Different cutting height also had

a certain influence on the growth rate of plants and the

intensity of their aftergrowth. In all cases, when the buds on

the apical point were not cut, the shoots grew much faster than

from the buds of the tillering node. Faster plant growth by a

high cut (10–12 cm) can be explained by the fact that shoots

growing from tillering node buds feed, like the main shoots,

from old roots. By a low cut (5–6 cm), growth occurs mainly

occurs from dormant buds located in the axils of the lower

internodes, new roots are formed, and shoots that grow from

the tillering node feed only partially from old roots. For

plantations of the hybrid of sugar sorghum Zersil F formed a

small aftermath yield (6.48–8.38 t/ha, fertilized variant, with

almost twice less than that on control plots). Regardless of the

cutting height of the main cut, the aftermath of Sudan grass

was 18.23–18.64 t/ha, whereas the different cutting height of

the above-ground mass of the sorghum-Sudan hybrid in the

first cut significantly affected the aftermath ability of plants,

the formation of the leaf surface and the aftermath yield. When

cut at 10–12 cm, intense aftergrowth was observed, and the

aftermath yield was on average 19.74 t/ha, which is 14.3%

higher than by a low cut (16.91 t/ha). Prevalent in the structure

of the grass stands of Sudan grass and sorghum-Sudan hybrid

were vegetative elongated shoots with a high proportion of

leaves of 45–57%.

In terms of aftergrowth ability, a group of grass sorghum

with good aftermath and sugar sorghum – with weak

aftergrowth of the above-ground mass should be singled out.

A characteristic feature of aftergrowth was vegetative buds of

the mesocorm, elongated and shortened phytomers located

below the cutting level. The magnitude and differences in the

aftermath yields are associated with the phytomeric structure

of the sorghum plant shoots that grow and develop their

primordia due to the activity of the apical meristem.

Consequently, the aftermath ability of sorghum crops is

one of the important agrobiological characteristics in

increasing their productivity potential. The formation and

yield of fodder sorghum aftermath largely depends on the

morphobiological characteristics of the structure and

development of plants, the time of cutting, the cutting height,

application of nitrogen top dressing and other elements of

cultivation.

Thus, in the cultivation of sorghum crops for fodder

production, four types of the aftergrowth mechanism have

been established. The yield and the formation of full-scale

aftermath of fodder sorghum depended on the time and height

of the first cut, the introduction of nitrogen fertilizers in the

subcortex, shoot development ability of plants, and other

growth factors. When cut at 10–12 cm, more intense

aftergrowth of grass sorghum was observed, and the yield of

sugar sorghum and the sorghum-Sudan hybrid was on average

14.3–22.7% higher than by a low cut (5–6 cm).

example, the Sorghum-Sudan hybrid Intensive F showed a

faster aftermath formation by a high cut, whereas by a low cut,

the formation of new shoots in the aftermath mainly occurred

from the tillering node buds. The total height of aftermath and

the yield turned out to be somewhat lower compared to higher

cuts. Aftermath yield formation depending on the height of the

sorghum first cutting is shown in Table 2. It was established

that along with the buds of the tillering zone renewal, a great

role in the formation of the fodder sorghum aftermath was

played by lateral buds of elongated phytomers, and a minor

role – by apical buds of the shortened shoots. It should be noted

that, regardless of the cutting height, shoots grew most quickly

and intensively on variants treated with nitrogen top dressing

Table 2: Effect of the first cutting height on the aftermath yield of fodder sorghum, (2012–2015)

Green mass yield, t/ha

First cutting height, cm

Sugar sorghumZersil F

Sudan grass Kinelskaya 100

Sorghum-Sudan hybrid Intensive F

–6

0–12

6.48

8.38

18.23

18.64

16.91

19.74

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 623-630

green mass yield of sorghum-Sudan hybrids

dry matter yield of sorghum-Sudan hybrids

green mass yield of Sudan grass

dry matter yield of Sudan grass

500

000

500

000

500

000

500

000

820

848

659.5

980.6

270.9

2796.4

497.2

793.5

512

1635.4

524.1

061.1

356

1134.9

227.5

80.7

51.9

95.2

–4 weeks

771

346.1

stem elongation

heading

blossom

grain formation

Stage of development

Figure 1: Dynamics of grass sorghum above-ground mass formation (average for 2016–2018)

Regardless of the height of the first cut of Sudan grass, the

aftermath green mass yield was 18.32–18.64 t/ha. When

justifying the use of multicut grass sorghum, it is important to

establish the optimal timing and frequency of cutting that

ensure a normal aftermath formation. In view of this, the

experimental work that we conducted in in 2016–2018 allowed

us to establish the pattern of the above-ground mass

accumulation of grass sorghum during the main stages of

maximum yield of green mass of Sudan grass Kinelskaya 100

variety was observed during the full blossom stage – 2980.6

g/m , while the maximum yield of the dry matter – during the

milk-wax stage of ripeness of the grain – 1227.5 g/m .

Consequently, after the flowering, Sudan grass did not show

any green mass growth, although the dry matter continued to

accumulate. Intensive

sorghum hybrid showed

accumulation of both green mass and dry matter until the end

of the growing season. Comparing the dynamics, it should be

noted that the Sorghum-Sudan hybrid Intensive F showed

development of the sorghum-Sudan hybrid Intensive F and

Sudan grass Kinelskaya 100 (Fig. 1).

At the beginning of their development, the sorghum

cultures grew very slowly, since at that time the root system

was actively developing, and the yield of the above-ground

mass during the tillering stage was insignificant. However,

already in the stem elongation stage, the plant height was 40–

faster rates of formation of above-ground mass, as well as a

rather high productivity potential (over 35 t/ha of green mass

and 15 t/ha of dry matter). Sudan grass formed the above-

ground mass much slower, being significantly lower in

productivity than the sorghum-Sudan hybrid. Modern fodder

production imposes certain requirements on the raw materials

in terms of the content of dry matter for the preparation of

high-quality grass forage. This indicator serves as an important

criterion for assessing the suitability of the culture above-

ground mass for the production of certain types of forage.

Figure 2 shows a graph illustrating the change in the dry matter

content in the above-ground mass of grass sorghum by growth

and development stages.

0 cm, and the yield of the green mass was 1512.0–1134.9

g/m , and that of the dry matter – 195.2–251.9 g/m . It should

be noted that the sorghum-Sudan hybrid was characterized by

a faster initial biomass formation. Above-ground mass formed

at the fastest rates after the plants entered stem elongation

stage. Daily growth of Sudan grass was 25–30 g/m of dry

matter and 70–80 g/m of green mass, of sorghum-Sudan

hybrid – 40–45 g/m and 120–130 g/m , respectively. The

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 623-630

Sudan grass

Sorghum-Sudan hybrids

3.1

5.6

8.0

35.7

1.6

9.3

7.3

7.2

5.5

24.9

Tillering

Stem elongation

Heading

Blossoming

Milk-wax ripeness

of the grain

Stage of development

Figure 2: Dynamics of the dry matter content in the above-ground mass of grass sorghum, %

During the stem elongation stage, the above-ground mass

was characterized by high sappiness – the dry matter content

does not exceed 20%, which is important for good palatability

of green mass by animals. During the heading stage, the dry

matter content reaches 25–28%, and 32–35% – by the full

blossom stage. Therefore, silage from Sudan grass should be

prepared during the initial blossom stage before it is over.

During grain formation and filling, the above-ground mass

contains approximately 43% of dry matter; such raw materials

in their pure form are not suitable for ensilaging and should be

mixed with the green mass of corn, lupine, fodder beans,

clover.

cutting. Variant 2 (two-cut) – the first cut is performed during

the heading stage, the second – 45-50 days after the first

toward the end of the growing season. Variant 3 (single-cut) –

single assessment during the full blossom stage at the

beginning of the grain formation.

Experimental data on the total amount of dry matter in

Sudan grass plantations are presented in Table 3.

The results show that in the agro-climatic conditions of the

region, all the studied patterns of use of Sudan grass resulted

in a fairly high yield of above-ground dry mass of 10.2–15.0

t/ha or from 35.8 to 52.0 t/ha of green mass. The maximum

yield of dry matter was obtained with two-cut use – 15.2 t/ha.

Considering that Sudan grass contains over 40% of dry

matter by the phase of milk-wax stage of ripeness of the grain,

the culture can be used to prepare grain hay (a promising type

of forage prepared by harvesting the plants without threshing,

their chopping during grain formation and filling when the

content of moisture in the raw material is 45–55% and

conservation in a haylage-like manner).

In an experiment designed to study the characteristics of

aftergrowth of the Kinelskaya 100 variety of Sudan grass

depending on the timing of the first cut and the intensity of

cutting, the above-ground mass yield was assessed in

accordance with the following variant (three use patterns).

Variant 1 (three-cut) –the first cut is performed during the stem

elongation stage when the plant height is 70 cm, the second

and third – taking into account the aftermath 35–40 days after

Conclusion

When choosing the time for the main cutting and cutting

height of fodder sorghum, the ability of plants or a variety

(

hybrid) to grow after cutting should be taken into account in

order to prepare the maximum amount of nutritious forage

using the green and feed stock conveyor system. Therefore, we

recommend that farms plant three or four varieties (hybrid) of

fodder sorghum with different duration of the growing season,

especially from the emergence to the heading stage, when up

to 50% of the dry weight of the crop accumulates, as well as

with different aftergrowth pace in order to obtain full-scale

aftermath.

Table 3: Yield of dry matter of Sudan grass by the use patterns, average for 2016–2018

Yield of dry matter, t/ha

Use pattern

cut

2 cut

5.90

7.49

3 cut

0.89

Total

10.25

15.20

12.39

Three-cut

Two-cut

Single-cut

3.46

7.71

12.39

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques

2019, Volume 7, Issue 4, Pages: 623-630

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