Optimum Stand Height for Forage Brown Midrib Sorghum · Sudangrass in North-eastern USA
نویسندگان
چکیده
Brown midrib sorghum · sudangrass is attracting attention in the north-eastern USA because of its ability to produce acceptable forage yields on marginal corn ground. Other potential advantages include conservation of soil on highly erosive ground, the possibility to spread manure midsummer (after first cutting) when runoff risk is minimal, greatly reduced needs for herbicides and the potential to reduce the importation of phosphorus onto the farm. Best management practices need to be developed to take full advantage of the crop in the north-east. Seven field studies were conducted from 2000 to 2002 in four different agricultural regions in New York to determine the time of harvest optimum for yield and quality in oneto threecut management systems. Yield, rather than a change in forage quality indicators, was the key determining factor for estimated milk production. However, to prevent the shift from vegetative to reproductive growth (and associated decline in quality) and to better manage the amount of water at harvest, we recommend that in the north-eastern USA brown midrib sorghum sudangrass be managed using a two-cut system with harvest taking place when stand heights are about 125 cm or less.
منابع مشابه
Potassium Management for Brown Midrib Sorghum · Sudangrass as Replacement for Corn Silage in the North-eastern USA
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in brown midrib (BMR) sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) · sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Piper) hybrids (SxS) as a replacement for silage corn (Zea mays L.) in the north-eastern USA. Recent studies suggest it is suitable for both rotational grazing and as a hay crop and could compete with corn harvested for silage in years when wet spring c...
متن کاملBrown Midrib Forage Sorghum, Sudangrass, and Corn: What Is the Potential?
Brown midrib, a genetic mutation in several grassy species, reduces lignin content in the total plant parts. Lignin is mostly indigestible but also plays an important role in plant rigidity. During the past several years the brown midrib (bmr) trait has been incorporated into forage sorghum, sudangrass, and corn. The results have been significant for the most part. IVTD values for bmr sorghum h...
متن کاملUtilizing the Bmr Trait in Sudangrass and Sorghums
Brown midrib (BMR) is a genetic mutation in several grass species. The BMR gene reduces lignin content in plant cell walls and vascular tissue and improves fiber and whole plant digestibility. Lignin is mostly indigestible and plays a critical role in forage quality by affecting digestibility of cell wall polysaccharides. Lignin also plays in important role in plant rigidity. During the past se...
متن کاملForage Yield and Economic Losses Associated with the Brown-Midrib Trait in Sudangrass
associated with the brown-midrib phenotype average ≈20% for grain, 10 to 17% for stover, and 16% for Brown-midrib genes increase digestibility due to reduced lignificafodder (Miller et al., 1983; Lee and Brewbaker, 1984). tion in sudangrass, Sorghum bicolor subsp. drummondii (Nees ex Some brown-midrib lines may have stover yields as high Steud.) de Wet & Harlan. Brown-midrib lines are known to ...
متن کاملCrop/Forage/Soil Management/Grassland Utilization
For the long-term sustainability of the dairy industry in the Northeastern USA, manure nutrient application rates should not exceed crop nutrient removal once aboveoptimum soil fertility levels are reached. Dairy producers have shown a growing interest in brown midrib (BMR) forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) · sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Piper) hybrids (S · S) as a more environment...
متن کامل