Yield characteristics and nutritional value of grain sorghum

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to evaluate the varieties of grain sorghum of the "North Caucasus Federal Agrarian Research Centre" selection, to carry out Weende analysis and chemical composition analysis, to find out the presence of essential amino acids in their grain. On average, in 2019-2020, the minimum plant height was obtained in KiM (101 cm) and Ayushka (112 cm) varieties. The extension of the panicle from the ochrea of the upper leaf (19 cm) is established in the variety Atlet. In Ayushka, Krusta, and Zersta 97, this trait was 10-11 cm. The varieties Atlet and Ayushka had the highest rates of thousand-kernel weight (24.1-24.4 g). According to the length of the panicle, thousand-kernel weight and the high grain yield, Ayushka and Atlet were superior. Grain sorghum plants damage caused by aphids, smut, and bacterial blight was insignificant during the studied years. The highest content of crude protein (10.8%) was found in the variety Faraon. 10.36-10.50% of this feed component was found in the grain varieties KiM, Ayushka, Atlet. The most significant content of crude fat in sorghum grain was found in KiM (3.29%), Krusta (3.44%), Sostav (3.01%). The maximum amount of metabolic energy in 1 kg of grain was obtained in the varieties Ayushka (12.33 MJ kg(-1)) and KiM (12.30 MJ kg(-1)). According to the presence of sodium, calcium and phosphorus in sorghum grain, the varieties Atlet and Krusta had an advantage. Among the studied amino acids in sorghum grain, threonine (0.27-0.35%) and lysine (0.21-0.27) had the most significant amount. According to the sum of the mentioned essential amino acids, the varieties Faraon (1.08%) and KiM (1.06%) had the most of them. The content of these five amino acids in the grain of the varieties Atlet and Ayushka was 1.05%.