STUDIES ON FODDER YIELD AND QUALITY OF SORGHUM GROWN ALONE AND IN MIXTURE WITH GUARA UNDER DIFFERENT PLANTING TECHNIQUES

A study on fodder yield and quality of sorghum grown alone and in mixture with guara under different planting techniques was conducted at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during summer 2007. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Experimental treatments comprised of sorghum alone sown by broadcast method, guara alone sown by broadcast method, sorghum alone sown in 30cm apart rows, guara alone sown in 30 cm apart rows, blended seed of sorghum and guara sown by broadcast method, blended seed of sorghum and guara sown in 30 cm apart rows, sorghum sown in 30 cm apart rows and guara in between the rows and sorghum sown in 30 cm apart rows and intercropped with guara in crossed rows. Planting techniques significantly affected the growth, yield and qualitative characteristics of fodder sorghum. Sorghum sown in 30 cm apart rows and guara in between the rows produced highest green and dry matter yield due to greater plant density, plant height and number of leaves per plant. Guara sown alone either by broadcast method or in 30 cm apart rows produced significantly higher crude protein percentage and lower crude fibre and ash percentages than all other treatments. Keeping in view both quality and quantity fodder sorghum must be sown in 30 cm apart rows and guara in between the rows.