QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF FORAGE AND SILAGE OF PEARL-MILLET IN COMPARISON TO SUDAX, GRAIN, AND FORAGE SORGHUMS HARVESTED AT DIFFERENT GROWTH-STAGES

A field experiment was carried out to determine quantity and quality of forage and silage from pearl millet [Pennisetum typhoides (Burn, F.) Stapf], sorghum - Sudan grass hybrid [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench x Sorghum vulgare sudanense], cv. Sudax, grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], and forage sorghum (Sorghum vulgare L.) harvested at different stages of maturity. Results showed that pearl millet was significantly taller and produced much more forage and silage than Sudax, grain, and forage sorghums all of which produced similar yields. At dough stage dry matter (DM) yield was highest, and pearl millet and forage sorghum produced significantly more DM than that of other crops. At a similar stage of maturity, leaf-stern ratio of pearl millet was significantly lower than that of grain sorghum, but was similar to that of Sudax and forage sorghum. Pearl millet produced significantly more silage and contained higher ash content than the other crops. Crude protein content of pearl millet was significantly lower at the flowering stage, but was similar to other crops at milk and dough stages. Ca and P contents in forage were similar at all the growth stages. The quality and feeding value of pearl millet for both green forage and silage were lower than other forage crops. However, as a maintenance ration, it was adequate. The silage pH values indicated that all crops were adequately fermented.