Evaluation of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth) with local forage legumes In the Sudan

Five Rhodes grass cultivars and two forage legumes were sown in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Cultivars were evaluated for 19 and 9 cuts in the first and second seasons respectively. The data collected included fresh and dry weight. The proximate analysis was carried out for crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber. Analysis of variance was performed as split plot considering the cuts as splits in time. The contrast analysis showed that Rhodes grass out yielded the two forage legumes over all cuts. Results obtained showed the validity of introducing Rhodes grass as a new forage crop in the Sudan that suits the mechanized system of forage crop production and by bringing a perennial fodder crop expected to bridge the gap in forage production.