Four field experiments were carried out at the Experimental Research Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Moshtohor, Benha University, Kalubia Governorate during two growing seasons (2004 and 2005) in two different studies.
I. The first study
Irrigation regimes for various summer forage grasses
Experiments were designed and implemented to evaluate fresh and dry forage yield, vegetative growth behavior, and quality determinations of four summer forage grasses (Pearl millet, Sorghum hybrid, Sudan grass and Teosinte) irrigated with three water regimes in respect of quantities (2000, 3000 and 4000 m3/fed) and frequencies (10 and 20 days).
II- The Second study
Fertilization requirements for various summer forage grasses
Experiments were designed and implemented to evaluate yield, vegetative growth behavior, and quality of four summer forage grasses (Pearl millet, Sorghum hybrid, Sudan grass and Teosinte) fertilized with three nitrogen levels (30, 60 and 90 kg N/fed) as ammonium sulphate (20.6% N) and two potassium doses (w/0 and with 60 Kg K2O/ fed) as potassium sulphate (48% K2O).
Each of the two experiments were layed out and statistically analyzed as split split plot design. Three individual cuts were obtained in each of the two growing seasons. The studied parameters for each of the two experiments were as follows:
Fresh forage yield (ton/fed), dry forage yield (ton/fed), plant height (cm), stem diameter (cm), leaf area/plant (cm2), leaf/stem ratio (% on fresh weight basis), # of tillers /m2, crude protein (C.P%), crude fiber (C.F%), ash content, ether extract (E.E%), nitrogen free extract (NFE%), total digestible nutrients (TDN%), root’s carbohydrate content and HCN content (mg/Kg fresh weight). Results for each of the two experiments were recorded and presented in details investigated parameters were as previously mentioned in the first study.