QIAN Xu, YIN Zuoqian, JIN Hailin, YANG Kecheng, BAI Lou

Forage Sorghum （Sorghum bicolor）seeds was introduced from Japan. Summer sowing test was conducted to observe its biological characteristics and local adaptive in Yuzhong County in Gansu province, and the grass yield and forage nutrients was analyzed after 120 days growth period. The results showed that, Japan forage sorghum have the advantages of cold and drought resistance and flourishes, and its adapted to the climate, soil and water fertilizer conditions of Yuzhong county. After 120 growing days, fresh yield and dry matter yield were 184 500 kgha-1 and 43 460 kgha-1, respectively, which is higher than that of local sorghum at the mature period. Main nutritional components(dry matter) of the whole plant of Japan forage sorghum were similar to those of local sorghum at the mature period, but, gross energy is about twice as much as local sorghum. Comparing with the whole plant of Japan forage sorghum that harvested at the mature period in Japan, when growing in Yuzhong county, the crude protein and nitrogenfree extract content were enhanced by 59.91% and 15.91%, and the crude fibre and ether extract were decreased by 20.14% and 72.52%, respectively. Overall, Japan forage sorghum is a good forage crop with excellent adaptability, high yield and high nutritional value, which is suitable for planting in Yuzhong county.