EVALUATION AND SELECTION OF SORGHUM VARIETIES .2. CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION AND PERFORMANCE IN THE PRESENCE OF PERONOSCLEROSPORA-SORGHI FUNGUS

The bromatological composition of Gainer grass, CC-72, V-4, Graze all, Range boss, golden ISIAP, AG-2001, AG-2002;. Criollo, Patagon, G-191, G-192, G-138 and Criollo MS sorghum varieties and their resistance to Peronosclerospora sorghi fungus were evaluated for two years and a ra ndom block design with 4 replication. The content of crude protein of the leaves varied from 10.8 to 13.7% in the rainy season, Range boss s howing the lowest values. The protein content of the stem of V-4 and A G-2001 was higher (P < 0.001) than the remainder treatments. G-138 sho wed a higher value in the leaves differing from the rest of the variet ies during the dry season (P < 0.001) while G-192 had the highest cont ent in the stems and did not differ from CC-72, G-191, V-4 and AG-2001 . Crude fibre (CF) in the rainy season ranged from 26.4 to 32.0% in th e leaves and from 28.0 to 40.3 % in the stems. During the dry season i t varied From 22.4 to 28.1% in the leaves and from 29.1 to 45.1% in th e stem. In vitro organic matter digestibility (IOMD) was higher in V-4 (68.5%) in the leaves and in AG-2001 in the stems (70.6%) in the rain y season. Criollo MS negatively differed from the remaining varieties (P < 0.05) in the dry season and the highest values were presented in AG-2002 (64.8 and 63.6%) for the leaves and stems, respectively. Peron osclerospora sorghi performance showed a higher infestation during the dry season (25-95%) compared to the rainy season (20-40%). The variet y G-138 is resistent the CC-72, G-192 and V-4 varieties are tolerant a nd golden ISIAP, AG-2001, AG-2002, patagon and G-191 are susceptible. Other varieties such as Gainer grass, Graze all, Range boss, Criollo a nd Criollo MS were highly susceptible to the fungus. The varieties G-1 38, CC-72 and V-4 as the more resistant and tolerant to Peronosclerosp ora sorghi are recommended. Further studies on the dynamics of growth should be carried out to determine the appropriate harvesting time all owing better yields and quality.