Evaluation of sorghum cultivars (sorghum bicolor L. moench) for bird preference and nutritional properties
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Date
2009
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The study was conducted at Agriculture Research Institute (ARI)-IIonga with the objective of identifying less bird preferred cultivars and associated physical and chemical properties. It involved two field experiments laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design. A total of 18 local and improved sorghum varieties were used. Analysis of nutritional properties included Ether Extract, Proteins, Minerals, Crude Fibres, Carbohydrates and Tannin in the Laboratory at Sokoine University of Agriculture was conducted. Data obtained were analysed using MSTATC software followed by separation of the means using Duncan’s Multiple Ranges Test (DMRT). The study observed no influence of physical properties on bird preference, but, there was very little influence of nutritional qualities as follows:- Crude protein was positively correlated with yield loss, crude fibre, fat content, grain weight, and tannin levels. Crude fibre had positive correlation of 0.47 with tannins and was statistically (P<0.5) significant but was negatively correlated with yield losses. There was strong significantly different (P<0.01) correlation of 0.65 between tannin and yields losses. Khalidii, Mnyambi, Gafembee and Selemani ranked high in crude protein, crude fibre and tannin contents with less yield losses and were classified as less bird preferred. However, Khalidi outperformed all the cultivars and hence most promising cultivar for crop improvement to curb bird attack problem. The influence of crude protein, fibre and tannin on bird preference was not established and no single parameter was identified to have contributed to less bird preference. Intensive screening and biotechnological evaluation of the genetic potentials on bird preference is recommended.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Sorghum cultivars, Sorghum bicolor, Bird, Physical, Chemical properties