The effects of nitrogen fertilizer on chemical compositions in corn and sweet sorghum.

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of four nitrogen treatments (50, 100, 150 and 200 Kg urea / ha) on biomass, crude protein, soluble carbohydrates and crude fiber contents in three fodders (corn, sweet sorghum and sweet sorghum bagasse) at the filed experimental station. The results showed the effects of nitrogen treatments and fodders on the above measurements were significant. Treatment of 200 kg/ha urea had the highest biomass (64.80 t/ha) and protein content (8%) and it had the lowest soluble carbohydrates (12.80 %) and fiber contents (31.90%). Between fodders, corn had higher biomass and protein content (72.80 t/ha, 7.10 %) than sweet sorghum (66.50 t/ha, 5.90 %), respectively. Also both carbohydrate and fiber contents of sweet sorghum was higher than corn. Sweet sorghum bagasse had lower crude protein and carbohydrates content and higher crude fiber than both corn and sweet sorghum. In fodders as the nitrogen fertilizer increased, crude protein present increased while crude fiber present decreased which could increase palatability and digestibility of the both species. Thus, base on the results, it is suggested to apply 200 kg/ha urea for corn and sweet sorghum.