Comparison of different sweet sorghum (sorghum bicolor L.moench) varieties grown as second crop in cukurovaconditions in terms of feed efficiency and qualitycharacteristics

This research was conducted Research and Implementation area of University of Çukurova Faculty of Agriculture Department of Field Crops according to randomized block design with 3 replications, in order to compare different sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) varieties grown as a second crop in Çukurova conditions in terms of forage yield and quality characteristics. 8 different sweet sorghum varieties were used in the research, namely Dale, Icsv 93046, Erdurmuş, Uzun, Gülşeker, IS 2331, IS 3556 and Umbrella. Green forage yield obtained from the research varied between 2200– 5530.95 kg/da, dry matter ratio 28.61%- 35.02, dry matter yield 732.8– 1840.67 kg/da, crude protein content 5.57%- 7.21, crude protein yield 43.2- 112.34 kg/da, ash content 4.78%- 6.2, ADF content 30.93%- 37.63, NDF content 47%- 59.55, digestible dry matter ratio (SKMO) 59.59%- 64.81, dry matter intake (DMI) 2.02%- 2.56, relative feed value (RFV) 93.09- 126.26. The highest green forage and dry matter yields in the research were obtained from Icsv 93046 variety. The highest crude protein ratio was obtained from Uzun variety, followed by Umbrella variety with insignificant difference. The highest crude protein yield was obtained from Icsv 93046 variety, followed by Umbrella variety with insignificant difference. The lowest ADF ratio was obtained from Umbrella variety, and no significant difference was determined between Umbrella and Dale varieties in terms of ADF ratio. The lowest NDF ratio was obtained from Erdurmuş variety, and no significant difference was determined between Erdurmuş, Umbrella and Dale varieties in terms of NDF ratio. The highest NYD was obtained from Umbrella variety, followed by Erdurmuş and Dale varieties with insignificant differences. These results show that Icsv 93046 and Umbrella varieties can be primarily preferred for sustainable feed production from sweet sorghum plant in the second crop conditions of Çukurova region.