EFFECT OF SEED RATE ON FORAGE YIELD AND QUALITY OF GRAIN SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) UNDER RAINFED IN SHIKA, NIGERIA

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of seed rate on forage yield and quality of grain sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ) under rainfed at National Animal Production Research Institute Shika, Zaria. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) which consisted of seed rates 5 kg/ha, 10 kg/ha and 15 kg/ha. Data were collected on forage yield and yield components of Sorghum bicolor . Stand counts per plot, leaf length, leaf width and number of tillers per plant were significantly (P 0.05) affected by seed rate. The highest stand counts per plot and leaf length (44.44 and 76.79 cm) were obtained for Sorghum bicolor at 15 kg/ha. Fresh forage yield and dry matter yield were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by seed rate. The percentage proximate composition and fibre fractions of the forage were significantly (P<0.05) affected by seed rate. The crude protein and crude fibre ranged between (7.62 – 8.84 %) and (25.91 – 28.6 %), respectively.  Minerals such as Ca, K, Na and P were significantly (P<0.05) affected by seed rate. Anti-nutrient of HCN was significantly (P<0.05) affected by seed rate.  This study revealed that seed rate of 15 kg/ha produced the highest number of stand count (44.44), leaf length (67.79 cm) and leaf width (5.47 cm), respectively. It is therefore recommended, that smallholder farmers and stock owners could sow Sorghum bicolor for forage at 15 kg/ha seed rate for better forage productivity.