Row Spacing Effect on Forage Sorghum Yield and Quality at Maricopa, Arizona, 2015

Forage sorghum yields have been should to increase with narrow row spacing of 20 inches or less. The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of narrow row spacing on forage sorghum yield and quality in Arizona. Two row spacing (20 and 40 inch) and two forage sorghum hybrids (Great Scott and Silo 700D BMR) were evaluated in a study conducted at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center in 2015. Row spacing had no effect on forage yield, moisture, plant height, or maturity even though light interception was greater for the closer row spacing. The only feed quality parameter affected by row spacing was lactic acid which increased with row spacing. Hybrid by row spacing interactions was detected for a few feed quality parameters. Decreasing forage sorghum row spacing from 40 to 20 inches does not appear to have an advantage based on the results of this study.