Sorghum, or in Java better known as “Cantel”, is a promising forage to increase ruminant livestock production. Sorghum is a forage that is adaptable in tropical environments and has great potential in the rainy season.
“With the increase in population, food needs also need to be increased, including animal feed. In the midst of limited forage, it is important to develop forage varieties with high production and can grow on suboptimal land,” said Dr. Ir. Bambang Suhartanto, DEA., IPM when presenting the results of his research in The 8th International Seminar on Tropical Animal Production, Tuesday (24/9) at the Royal Ambarrukmo Hotel.
Bambang, who is a forage expert at the Faculty of Animal Science (FAS) UGM, said Sorghum belongs to family of grass plants that grow in several areas, including Java, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). In NTB and NTT, Sorghum is planted on less fertile land where rice and corn cannot grow.
“Sorghum is usually planted with an intercropping system in the dry season. Sorghum roots can reach the subsoil layer to absorb water and nutrients, while the leaves contain a waxy coating to reduce evaporation. Red Sorghum and Numbu are the best types but the seeds are difficult to obtain,” said Bambang.
Sorghum can be harvested 2 to 3 times. This means that it can cut labor costs, the length of time for planting, and the seeds needed.
“Sorghum Brown Midrib Resistance (BMR) is a mutation of the sorghum plant using gamma irradiation which has a lower lignin content and is easier to digest,” Bambang said. Sorghum BMR is characterized by brown leaf bones.
Even so, Bambang added, Sorghum has a weakness, which contains antinutrients in the form of prusic acid. Prusic acid is generally found in plants whose growth is disturbed due to unfavorable environmental conditions, such as drought.
“As a solution, the content of prusic acid can be reduced by making Sorghum silage,” said Bambang. (Nadia)