Behaviour of an open-pollinated variety and of hybrids of sorghum in the Itajai valley, SC, Brazil

Abstract

A trial was carried out during the summer 1985/86 at the Itajaí Experimental Station - Santa Catarina (26°53' S, 48°39' W), Brazil, comparing six hybrids and four varieties of open polinization of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench for green forage production at the ensiling stage. Production of leaves, culms and panicles was evaluated in two cuts, in five cultivars. These components were ground and analysed for crude protein percentage and organic matter digestibility. The results showed high forage productions for most cultivars, particularly for the first cut which accumulated on average four times more dry matter per day, when compared to the second cut. One variety of pen polinization (CMS x S 614) presented high production level and is of particular interest to the farmers in the region because they can produce their own seeds.