• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.265-276
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• 1997

This study was investigated the herbage productivity and nutrient contents of corn (Suweon 19 and Kwanganok) and sweet sorghum (Ramiki sorgo and Silage sorgo) at the stage of maturity (10-DBS, silking, milky and dough stages) to identify the utility value of sweet sorghum as a substituting crop for corn. The silage materials (dough stage) were chopped and were storaged for 90 days in polyethlene bag with O.lmm thickness. Chemical composition, nitrogen content and in vitm dry matter digestibility were evaluated. Also, daily intake and palatability were checked in the feeding trial with four male sheep in average weight about 57kg. Both fresh and dry matter yield of corn and sweet sorghum were increased as the maturity processed (P< 0.05), and sweet sorghum showed higher total yield potential than corn. Crude protein content of the cultivars was decreased as the maturity was processed (P< 0.05). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content of the cultivars, in general, showed highest at silking stage, followed by 10 days before silking (10-DBS), and milky and dough stages (Pi0.05) in order. Acid detergent fiber (ADF) content was increased as the maturity processed, and it showed the highest value at milk stage. However, the contents of ADF in sorghum plant was decreased during the late maturity. Crude protein content of the silage was not significantly different among cultivars used, while NDF content was highest in Ramiki sorgo, followed by Silage sorgo, Kwanganok and Suweon 19. In v i m DM digestibility of the silage was highest in Kwanganok, followed by Suweon 19, Silage sorgo and Ramiki sorgo. Total N content of the silage was highest in Ramiki sorgo, followed by Suweon 19, Silage sorgo and Kwanganok. DM intake of the silage was highest in Ramiki sorgo, followed by Suweon 19, Silage sorgo and Kwanganok and it was closely related to the palatability value.