Goats’ Responses to Local Sorghum Enriched with bmr6 Gene and Feeding Formulas in Niger

Abstract

Feed shortage has been identified as one main constraint limiting livestock productivity in Niger. Stover from cereal crops is a significant source of feed during the lean, long and dry season with producers showing preference for sorghum stover. Sorghum brown midrib (bmr) genes are well known for improving forage quality around the world. However, farmers in Niger do not have access to sorghum cultivars enriched with bmr gene. To address this limitation, a new forage sorghum breeding program has been initiated in 2016 in Niger to introgress bmr genes into elite Nigerien local sorghum cultivars. Goat weight gain trial was conducted using a complete randomized design with five sorghum lines enriched with bmr6 gene and one local check. Feeding lasted 42 days comprising 24 white Sahelian goats (24.39 ± 1.11 kg) that included 12 males and 12 females. Stover chemical composition analysis revealed that bmr6 sorghum stovers crude proteins concentration levels was superior (bmr6P90 = 21.63±0.05%) compared to that of the control (HK = 13.18±0.06%). The control (HK =5.66±1.30%,) had higher ADL content than all bmr6 sorghum stovers with bmr6P90 = 3.33±0.27%) having the lowest. Significant differences were observed among goat weights. Goats fed with bmr6 lines performed significantly better per day (4.23g/d) than those fed with the local sorghum check (2.24g/d). Introgression of bmr6 gene into elite sorghum varieties genetic background opens new opportunities for alleviating feed shortage hindering livestock productivity in Niger.