Forage biomass and nutrient quality in brown midrib (BMR) compared to conventional <i>Sorghum</i>: A meta-analysis approach.
Slamet Widodo, Wijaya Murti Indriatama, Yenny Nur Anggraeny, Mohammad Miftakhus Sholikin, Anuraga Jayanegara, Teguh Wahyono
Abstract
Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the differences between conventional and brown midrib (BMR) <i>Sorghum</i> in terms of biomass, nutrient quality, nutrient digestibility, and animal performance. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive database was created by integrating 73 datasets from 29 articles. The different studies were denoted as random effects, while the BMR <i>Sorghum</i> variety was described as a fixed component. Afterward, these two aspects were calculated utilizing a linear mixed model. Results: According to the findings of the present meta-analysis, conventional <i>Sorghum</i> produces higher quantities of forage and grain biomass in comparison to BMR (<i>p</i> < 0.001). As expected, BMR <i>Sorghum</i> has a lower content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, and lignin compared to conventional <i>Sorghum</i> (p < 0.001). The digestibility of BMR <i>Sorghum</i> performed better than conventional <i>Sorghum</i> (<i>p</i> < 0.001), especially for NDF digestibility (54.98% vs. 47.37%). BMR shows suitability as a fodder option for dairy cows due to its superior milk yield compared to conventional <i>Sorghum</i> (15.04 vs. 14.06 kg/day; <i>p </i>< 0.01). Conclusion: In conclusion, BMR <i>Sorghum</i> produces higher biomass compared to conventional Sorghum. Nevertheless, in terms of nutrient quality and digestibility, BMR <i>Sorghum</i> is the most optimal choice. The results will significantly improve animal performance.