Comparison between the Productivity of Pure Stand of Fodder Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L Monech), Clitoria (Clitoria Ternata) and Different Mixtures of the Two

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in the Demonstration Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Shambat, University of Khartoum, Sudan during April- June 2007. The main objectives of the experiment were to study the differences in fodder yield obtained from pure stand and mixtures of fodder sorghum, Abu Sabien, (Sorghum bicolor) and clitoria (Clitoria ternate). Parameters studied included: growth attributes (fresh weight, dry weight and dry matter accumulation), soil moisture depletion and water-use efficiency. The main outcome of this study is as follows: The highest dry matter accumulation was obtained during the stage of growth between 45 to 60 days after sowing for all the treatments except that of pure stand of clitoria. Similarly, the best final yield of fresh and dry weight of fodder was obtained from the mixture of 60% clitoria+40% fodder sorghum. In addition, water-use efficiency (kg dry matter ha-1m-3) was highest for pure stand of fodder sorghum followed by 40%clitoria +60% fodder sorghum and the highest average moisture depletion corresponded to the highest dry matter accumulation, as expected.