EFFECT OF SEED RATE ON FORAGE PRODUCTION AND QUALITY OF FORAGE SORGHUM (SORGHUM-BICOLOR) VARIETIES

A field study carried out during 1987, 1989 and 1990 showed that 'GFS 3' [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] gave the highest green-forage yield d uring 1989 as well as on pooled basis and 'MP Chari' sorghum gave the highest dry-matter yield during 1987, 1990 as well as on pooled basis. Varieties 'GFS 3', 'MP Chari' and 'SSG 59-3' were at par for green-fo rage and dry-matter yields on pooled basis and all these varieties fou nd significantly superior to 'S 1049'. Variety 'SSG 50-3' gave the hig hest crude protein yield, followed by 'MP Chari' on an average of 3 ye ars. A seed rate of 60 kg/ha recorded the highest green-forage yield d uring 1989 and on pooled basis, however. the difference were not signi ficant. Seed rates of 60, 80 and 100 kg/ha were at par and gave signif icantly higher dry-matter yield than seed rates of 20 and 40 kg/ha. Ec onomics of different seed rates revealed that seed rate of 60 kg/ha ga ve the maximum total return as well as net incremental cost : benefit ratio. This treatment also produced the highest crude protein on an av erage of 3 years. The highest digestible dry-matter production yield w as also noted from the same seed rate.