Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Plant Research
Session: 4
Room: Exhibit Hall A
Luke Muller - Oklahoma State University
Sorghum is a potential fodder crop for an alternative source of livestock feed in Kenya. A study was done to determine the levels of prussic acid, lignin. and cellulose content in potential fodder sorghum varieties at Egerton University Field Station in Kenya. Twenty-five sorghum genotypes were grown in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The genotypes were sampled at the 3-leaf stage and analyzed for prussic acid, lignin, and cellulose. The data was subject to statistical analysis of variance and correlation using SAS program version 9.1. Prussic acid levels were significantly different even at an early stage, with local varieties producing more. Lignin and cellulose had an inverse relationship with respect to concentration. Fodder sorghum genotypes varied significantly, in prussic acid, lignin, and cellulose, even at an early growth stage. These selected genotypes will now have further testing done to determine biomass for the best fodder sorghum.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): National Science Foundation
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Anne Osano, aosano@bowiestate.edu
Role: I completed every aspect of this experiment except for the initial plant of the crop.