Forage Quality Variations among Some Sudan Pearl Millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br] Collection

Abstract

Aims: This experiment aimed at identification of some forage-quality attributes of Sudan pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) collection for possible future utilization. Study Design: Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: The analysis was carried out at the feed analysis laboratory, Elobeid Research Station of Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC), Elobeid, Sudan. Methodology: The selected accessions (42 rainy sown and 38 winter sown) for proximate chemical entities were from 100 pearl millet accessions evaluated for dry matter yield in two field trials. Prior to the proximate quality analysis, the dried samples were ground and oven dried once again. The dried samples were used in 3 replicates for the proximate analysis to determine crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF) and Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE). Results: Among the studied accessions, nine (in both rainy and winter seasons) had Crude protein (CP%) more than 9%. Nineteen accessions (in rainy) and 36 (in winter) had Crude fiber (CF%) less than 40%, whereas 25 (in rainy) and 32 (in winter) had Nitrogen free extract (NFE%) more than 40%. Among the CP-based top ranking 10 accessions, some combined high crude protein yield (CPY) with high quality attributes across both seasons. For instance, HSD 2243 was associated with highest CP (16.2%), high CPY (1.72 t/ha) and low CF (30.6%). HSD 2146 was associated with adequately high CP (11.1%), high CPY (1.07 t/ha), low CF (35.2 %) and high NFE (50.5%) and HSD 2231 was associated with comparatively lower CP (9.7%), but with high CPY (0.9 t/ha), low CF (29.2 %) and high NFE (49.2%). Conclusion: Some accessions of pearl millet viz, HSD 2231, HSD 2243 and HSD 2146 with high forage yield and high forage quality across both seasons were identified. These accessions with their high CP% and high crude protein yield in both seasons could further be evaluated for multiple cutting over both seasons.