Vol. 12, Special Issue 10 (2023)

Author(s):
Ravindra Dombar, KS Giridhar, C Kathirvelan, BC Umashankar, Arun Kharate, Adeppa J, Rakesh Chouraddi and Gangadhar Kapase

Abstract:
Livestock’s growth and development are conditioned by the adequate availability of feed and fodder. To address the rising need for green fodder, high yielding, high-quality perennial fodder plantations are urgently needed in India. A popular multi-cut sorghum variety, COFS 29 fodder were harvested six to seven times in a year. However, harvesting intervals have an impact on the quality of the fodder. Understanding the relationship between chemical composition and cutting interval throughout the growing period will help to optimize the cutting intervals between harvests in COFS 29 (multi-cut sorghum fodder variety) fodder verity. In the present experiment, samples were analysed for their chemical composition in fodders harvested at different intervals. Among the five harvesting stages, the first harvest was significantly (p<0.01) higher in dry matter, CF and NDF content and significantly lower in crude protein (CP) and NFE when compared to other harvesting intervals. The ADF, ADL, cellulose and hemicellulose content of the COFS 29 did not differ significantly between the harvesting intervals. After 90 days of plantation, the first harvest looks to be more mature, with a larger percentage of the stem component giving more dry matter with lower con of CP. Harvests made after 45 days aof regrowth are found to be ideal.