A Comparative Study between Rhodes Grass (Chloris gayana Kunth) with Local Grass Forages

Abstract

A field trial was conducted for two successive seasons 2006-07 at the experimental farm of Shambat Research Station, Khartoum North to compare the yield of 5 cultivars of Rhodes grass and 2 local grass fodders. A randomized complete block design was used. The first cut for all the entries was taken when the plants reached 50 % flowering. The three subsequent cuts were taken at intervals of 35 days in case of Rhodes where as for Abu sabein and Garawya at 50% flowering. The forage yield was evaluated across four cuts. The study revealed that Rhodes grass significantly out yielded forage Sorghum cultivars Abu Sabein and Garawya in all cuts other than the first one. Quality wise the percentages of protein shown by Rhodes grass were comparable if not better than those reported in Abu Sabein or in forage Sorghum in general.