Mahgoub El Hag

Evaluation of Fodder Beet Under Different Spacing and Nitrogen Levels: Effect of Cultivars,nitrogen,spacing on Growth,yield,quality of Fodder Beet Mahgoub El Hag

Fodder beet(Beta vulgaris),a member of Chenopodiaceae,is a higher productive forage crop,used in farm animals.it is succulent,palatable,digestble and is of high nutritional value(12 M J/Kg D M, NFE =72% DM). It is not common in the Sudan and there is no scientific research concerning its production. Thus an experiment to evaluate the performance of three beet cultivars for their growth,yield,quality under 0.0,40,80,120 Kg N/ha and 15,20,25 plant spacing,was carried out at the Demonstration farm-College of Agricultural Studies (Shambat)-Sudan University of Science and Technology(2007-2009). The feeding value of beet(feed intake,milk yield and composition)compared to fodder sorghum(CV Abu70),the existing popular grass forage,was carried at the Milk Farm-Animal Production College-Sudan University.80 Kg N/ha and 15cm result in better growth,higher yield(60 Green,7 Dry t/ha) and good quality. The nutritive, feeding value of beet is better than Abu70 ,it reduced cost of feeding by <30%and increased profits. So beet proved its success in sub-tropical areas as a winter fodder crop. This work is useful for researchers,postgraduates in plant and Animal production and for meat and milk producers.