Die produksie en kwaliteit van verskillende voersorghum‐ en Babala kultivars in die wes‐Transvaal

Abstract

The production and quality of different fodder sorghum and Babala cultivars in the western Transvaal. A number of sorghum cultivars are available commercially, and periodically some cultivars are added while others are withdrawn from the market. The potential yield figures and the nutritive value of these sorghums are generally not known. Owing to erratic availability of seed, only seven cultivars could be established for three consecutive years, while eleven were included in the experiment for at least one year. Babala (SA common) was used as a control, while one imported Babala cultivar (Hypearl) was evaluated for one year. Yields varied so much over the experimental period that no cultivar could be singled out as the highest yielder. Of the seven cultivars grown for three years, the dry matter (DM) yields were ranked in the following order of magnitude: PNR 989, Domor, Babala (SA common), Supergraze, Gotcha, Mixed sorghum and PNR 841. In terms of leaf production, the highest to the lowest yielding cultivars were the following: Babala (SA common), PNR 841, Mixed sorghum, Supergraze, PNR 989, Gotcha and Domor. In vitro dry matter digestibility and crude protein content showed little variation between cultivars.

Talle voersorghumkultivars word tans in die handel aangebied en periodiek word nuwes bygevoeg en ander onttrek. Die produksiepotensiaal en voedingswaarde van hierdie voersorghums is tot ‘n groot mate onbekend en het aanleiding tot hierdie studie gegee. Weens die wisselende bekombaarheid van saad kon slegs sewe kultivars vir drie agtereenvolgende jare gevestig word. Babala (SA gewoon) is as kontrole ingesluit, terwyl elf sorghum kultivars en een ingevoerde Babala kultivar (Hypearl) vir ten minste een seisoen geëvalueer is. Die opbrengste het oor die drie seisoene so gewissel dat geen enkele kultivar as die beste produseerder uitgesonder kan word nie. Van die sewe kultivars wat vir drie seisoene gevestig kon word, kon egter ‘n rangordelys opgestel word. Ten opsigte van totale DM‐produksie was die rangordelys: PNR 989, Domor, Babala (SA gewoon), Supergraze, Gotcha, Gemengde sorghum en PNR 841. Ten opsigte van blaarproduksie lyk die rangordelys soos volg: Babala (SA gewoon), PNR 841, Gemengde voersorghum, Supergraze, PNR 989, Gotcha en Domor. In vitro‐droërnateriaalverteerbaarheid(IVDMV) en ruproteieninhoud (RPI) het min tussen kultivars verskil.

Additional index words:

• Pennisetum americanum
• Sorghum spp.