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Daniel Döhne

Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench : Sorghum als Substitut für Mais in niederschlagsarmen Gebieten Deutschlands zur Milchviehfütterung

Hochschule Neubrandenburg, 2011

Abstract: Even in Germany there are regions that suffer from drought and low rainfall between 400mm to 450mm long-term average. In these regions the most important feed crop is maize (Zea mays L.), in particular for dairy cows. Despite very good water use efficiency of maize as a tropical C4 grass are the yields low in these areas due to drought stress. As a possible forage plant, which has similar properties and also still has a drought tolerance is sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench).The present study discusses in detail the biology and the very wide potential uses of these genetic breeding forms from this plant. The C4 plant sorghum stands botanically very close to Zea mays L. and produces different phenotypes. In particular, the grain sorghum cultivars are examined as a priority, as they reach high starch concentrations and energy density than other varieties of this species. In the year 2008 five different sorghum hybrids were tested in a field trial (three grain sorghum, and two forage sorghum hybrids). Under same conditions in each of 3600m² large experimental plots on their main ingredients have been studied to examine them with regard to their possible use for dairy cattle feeding. The varieties were ensiled and fed in 2009 to lactating dairy cows. The results surprised a lot with significant differences between the cultivars.

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