Studies on forage yield and quality of newly evolved Chinese sweet sorghum grown alone and in association with cowpea

A field experiment to study the forage yield and quality of newly evolved Chinese sweet sorghum grown alone and in association with cowpea was conducted during the summer, 2013 at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Major crop Chinese sweet sorghum was grown alone and in alliance with cowpea in 30 cm apart rows as intercrop, mixed cropping, 2:1 lines of Chinese sweet sorghum and cowpea, 50:50 seed ratio and 75:25 seed ratio of Chinese sweet sorghum and cowpea respectively and by broadcast method, net plot size was 2.7 mx8.0 m. Maximum plant height of sorghum (201.13 cm) and cowpea (224.23 cm) was recorded in plots Chinese sweet sorghum + cowpea were planted in 2:1 row ratio. Maximum total leaf area (9648.8 cm2) was obtained where blended seeds of Chinese sweet sorghum and cowpeas were sown by broadcast method. Stem diameter of both crops was non-significant under different combinations and seed ratios. Maximum fresh weight (268.57 g per plant) of sorghum was obtained in Chinese sweet sorghum + cowpea planting in 50:50 seed ratio and maximum (144.47 g) fresh weight per plant of cowpea was obtained where blended seeds of Chinese sweet sorghum + cowpea were sown by broadcast method. Maximum total dry matter (27.28 %) was attained where Chinese sweet sorghum was sown in 30 cm apart rows and intercropped with cowpea. Highest total green forage yield (47.23 t per ha) was obtained where blended seeds of Chinese sweet sorghum + cowpea were sown in 30 cm apart rows, Maximum total dry matter production (6.40 t per ha) was also obtained for this treatment as against the minimum (4.24 t per ha) attained where blended seeds of Chinese sweet sorghum + cowpea were sown by broadcast method. Maximum total crude protein contents (27.08%) was recorded where sorghum and cowpea was sown in 2:1 row ratio as against the minimum (9.49%) total CP recorded where Chinese sweet sorghum was sown alone in 30 cm apart rows. Highest total fiber (57.65%) for mixture of both fodder was attained where Chinese sweet sorghum was planted in 30 cm apart rows and cowpeas was sown across the rows. Maximum total ash (28.003%) was recorded with sowing of Chinese sweet sorghum in 30cm apart rows and intercropped with cowpea was performed. Maximum net income Rs. 90715 per ha was achieved where blended seeds of' sorghum and cowpea were sown in 30 cm apart rows. Maximum benefit cost ratio (2.05) was observed where blended seeds of sorghum and cowpea were sown in 30cm apart rows.