The Effect of Different Irrigation Frequency and Level on Yield and Quality Characteristics of Silage Sorghum

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effect of different irrigation frequency and levels on silage sorghum plant for yield and quality at the Bingöl University Agricultural Research and Application Field in 2022 using the Master BMR variety as plant material. Randomized complete blocks applying the split-plots experimental design with three replications was used; four irrigation levels (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) and four irrigation frequencies (5, 10, 15 and 20 days) were considered as treatments. Percentage of moisture replacement was determined using total moisture loss from evapotranspiration (ET). Amount of water discharged by emitters were predetermined, hence, time was used to determine the exact amount. Properties related to green forage yield, dry matter yield, crude protein ratio, crude protein yield, acid detergent insoluble fibre, neutral detergent insoluble fibre, digestible dry matter, dry matter consumption and relative feed value were investigated. Statistically significant differences between all the examined features were observed. The highest green forage yield, dry matter yield and crude protein yield were obtained from 5-day frequency and 100% level. Highest crude protein ratio from 5-day frequency and 25% level, lowest acid detergent insoluble fibre rate and highest digestible dry matter rate from 20-day frequency and 25% level, highest dry matter intake and relative feed value with the lowest neutral detergent insoluble fibre rate were observed from 25% level with 10 and 20-day frequencies. In conclusion; it can be stated that, to obtain high yield from silage sorghum, it is necessary to irrigate at 5 days frequencies and 100% level. However, high-quality product can be obtained with a 10-day frequency and a 25% level with low yield.