Forage quality of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) cultivars at different phenological stages in Karaj region, Iran

• Main Authors: Mohajer, S., Dastenai, M.V., Taha, R.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: QH301 Biology
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/10733/1/Forage_quality_of_foxtail_millet_%28Setaria_italica%29_cultivars_at_different_phenological_stages_in_Karaj_region%2C_Iran.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/10733/
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

The determination of forage quality is one of the most important factors essential to appropriate field management. The most important factor, effective on forage quality, is the growth stage; by studying on phenological stages of the forage, suitable grazing time can be determined. Since different cultivars of forage crops have different feed qualities at each of their growth stages, for the purpose of investigation of genetic diversity of forage yields and their quantitative characters, we studied three foxtail millet cultivars, KFM1, KFM6 and KFM9, at three phenological stages including vegetative growth stage, flowering stage and seeding stage by use of a factorial experimental design with a complete block basic design with 3 replications in Karaj, Iran, during 2008-2009. Except for acid detergent fiber (ADF) and crude fibre percentage, the differences between the other feed quality indices as well as wet and dry yields, among the different cultivars and the three growth phases of the cultivars, were significant (P<0.01). Further, the interaction effect between different cultivars and also the phenological growth stages was statistically significant only in connection with wet and dry yield. Proportional to the development of growth stages, approximately in all cultivars the crude protein percentage and digestive dry material percentage decreased and the fibre content increased. In general, according to the measured indices, KFM 1 had the highest feed quality and, taking into account its appropriate feed quality, was selected as the outstanding cultivar. At the vegetative growth stage (1(st) phenological stage) feed quality indices were higher than at the other two stages (except for water-soluble carbohydrates); but considering relatively small forage energy difference between l(st) and 2(nd) phenological stages, and also higher production and readiness of the fields (ranges) for grazing, the 2(nd) phenological stage (flowering stage) was selected as the best time for grazing (by use of grazing systems).