COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NUTRIENT CONTENT AND IN VITRO GAS PRODUCTION DIGESTIBILITY BETWEEN CORN AND SORGHUM PLANTS DURING DIFFERENT GROWTH STAGES

Many countries, at arid and semi-arid regions, face challenges in providing corn (Zea mays L.) as animal feed due to water and land limitations. In contrast, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) can be grown on the same land, as it is more tolerant to saline conditions and requires less water. This study aimed to compare the in-vitro gas production, ruminal digestibility, and nutrient content of sorghum and corn plants at different vegetative parts and two growth stages. Significant differences in digestibility were observed between the two plants. The highest in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) was found in corn flag leaves at the dough stage. Notable differences were also found among some vegetative parts in both plants concerning gas production and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), with the highest crude protein (CP) content found in corn flag leaves at the dough stage. The findings suggest that sorghum can serve as a viable alternative to corn without negatively impacting in-vitro digestibility. However, further studies are needed to assess its performance at the in-vivo level.