Winter annual small grain forage potential. II. Quantification of nutritive characteristics of four small grain species at six growth stages

Abstract

Four small grain species, barley, oat, rye, and wheat were harvested at six growth stages to investigate their nutritive quality as a possible replacement for corn silage. Crude protein (CP), in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and lignin contents were measured on fresh and ensiled samples. The IVDMD, an estimate of forage ruminant digestibility, of all species generally decreased from the vegetative (765–854 g kg^‐1) through the milk stage (505–662 g kg^‐1) and then remained unchanged or increased slightly through hard dough with the exception of oats which often decreased during later stages of growth. The IVDMD of rye was usually lower than the other species from the milk to hard dough stage. The IVDMD of barley was generally higher than the other species at the soft and hard dough stages. The NDF, ADF, and lignin fractions usually increased from the vegetative to milk stages and remained unchanged or increased slightly through the hard dough stage. The ADF and lignin are negatively associated with forage digestibility while NDF values are negatively related to dry matter intake. The ADF of rye was generally higher than the other species at the milk and soft dough stages. Rye and barley contained more lignin than the other species from the heading through hard dough stage. Crude protein content generally decreased from the vegetative through milk stages and then leveled off or decreased slightly through the hard dough stage. Crude protein of oats was lower than other species at the vegetative stage, while rye generally contained more crude protein than the other species at the vegetative and boot stages. These data in combination with forage yield data reported in an associated paper suggest that small grains can offer a nutritious source of animal feed for farmers in the southeastern United States. Rye tended to stand out among the species at the early stages of growth (vegetative to boot) as a highly digestible green chop or grazing crop that is also high in protein. Barley and wheat stand out as excellent high yielding, nutritious silage choices at the soft dough stage.     

瘤胃液对全株甜高粱青贮质量的影响

甜高粱是一种重要的能源作物,为实现长时间贮存并提升糖化效率,该研究分析了瘤胃液不同添加量对全株甜高粱青贮品质和酶解糖化效果的影响。设置R1、R3、R5和R7共4个瘤胃液处理组(添加量依序分别为1、3、5和7 mL/100 g原料)和1个对照组(CK,等量蒸馏水),考察了瘤胃液不同添加量对全株甜高粱青贮过程中有机组分、发酵品质和酶解性能等质量指标的动态影响,并跟踪解析青贮期间微生物菌群的动态演绎。结果表明,添加瘤胃液能明显减少青贮甜高粱中的干物质、水溶性碳水化合物、粗蛋白以及木质纤维组分含量,使青贮pH和氨氮含量显著下降(P0.05),并与瘤胃液添加量呈负相关。青贮中的乳酸、乙酸含量随瘤胃液添加量和青贮发酵时间延长而明显增加(P0.05),瘤胃液强化了青贮发酵并有助于减少干物质损失,尤其在较高添加量时,青贮60d时的甜高粱综纤维素含量反而有所增加。4种瘤胃液处理组的门水平优势细菌主要为厚壁菌和变形菌,厚壁菌相对丰度随时间延长和瘤胃液添加量的增加而逐渐增加,变形菌门丰度则逐渐下降;属水平主要以乳酸杆菌、泛菌和醋酸杆菌为主,乳酸杆菌丰度与时间、瘤胃液添加量呈正相关,而泛菌则呈减少趋势。瘤胃液强化青贮后的甜高粱还原糖得率显著提升,尤其瘤胃液添加量为7 mL/100 g的R7处理组的糖得率较原料分别提高了11.06%(30 d)和19.28%(60 d)。添加瘤胃液能有效改善青贮甜高粱的发酵质量和生物降解性能,起到生物强化的预处理作用,为甜高粱的乙醇化利用奠定了基础。     

陇东山旱地夏播复种饲用甜高粱品种筛选

陇东山旱地区为陇东肉羊肉牛产业的重要生产区，其长期饲草供应不足，困扰产业发展。为探明山旱地夏播复种饲用甜高粱的干草生产力状况，增加饲草生产能力，引进了4个饲用甜高粱品种在陇东山旱地开展试验。结果表明，甜高粱2180收割高度最高，为169.53 cm；其次是陇甜粱1号，为160.87 cm。茎粗以海牛最高，为11.20 mm；陇甜粱1号、甜高粱2180较高，分别为10.20、10.00 mm。鲜草产量、干物质产量均以甜高粱2180最高，分别为35 073.68、14 985.53 kg/hm2；其次是陇甜粱1号，分别为30 797.60、12 385.86 kg/hm2。陇甜粱1号的可溶性糖含量(268.3 g/kg)、干物质采食量(2.24%)、相对饲用价值(110.20)和可消化营养物(57.84)均为最高，其次是甜高粱2180。综合分析，陇甜粱1号和甜高粱2180产草量高，营养价值较高，可在陇东地区山旱地种植。     

Variations in nitrogen uptake and nitrate-nitrogen concentration among sorghum groups

Nitrogen uptake and nitrate-N concentration in forage sorghums, which are related to ground water pollution or feed quality under conditions of crop fertilization by only animal wastes, were examined. Seventy-four genotypes of sorghum and Sudan grass were tested. They were classified into 4 groups; grain type and dual purpose type sorghums (6 and 13 genotypes, respectively, Sorghum bicolor Moench), sorgo type sorghum (21, S. bicolor), Sudan type sorghum (22, S. bicolor × S. sudanense (Piper) Stapf), Sudan grass (12, S. sudanense). There was a strong correlation between dry matter (DM) yield and N uptake, with the sorgo type producing the highest DM matter yield and showing the highest N uptake. Nitrate-N, which causes nitrate poisoning of ruminants, was detected mostly in the stem of all the genotypes. The nitrate-N concentration based on DM could be calculated accurately by multiplying the nitrate-N concentration of stem on a fresh matter basis by the DM partitioning ratio of stem divided by the DM concentration of stem. The grain type and the dual purpose type of sorghums with dry stem showed the lowest nitrate-N concentration because these plants had a lower DM partitioning ratio of stem and higher DM concentration of stem. Sudan grass and Sudan type sorghum with the genetic background of Sudan grass showed higher nitrate-N concentrations owing to their ability to accumulate nitrate-N.     

Cooking Characteristics and Quality of Noodles from Food Sorghum

Three white food sorghums, ATx631*RTx436, ATxARG*RTx436, and SC283‐14, were decorticated, milled into flour and processed into 100% sorghum noodles. Flour, water, and salt (1%) were preheated using a hotplate or a microwave oven. The mixtures were put through a forming extruder to produce noodles. Extruded noodles were dried by three methods: air‐dry method (23°C, 48 hr); one‐stage (60°C, 30% rh, 3 hr), or two‐stage (60°C, 100% rh for 2 hr followed by 60°C, 30% rh for 2 hr). Noodles were evaluated dry and after cooking. Sorghum flours with smaller particle sizes yielded better noodles. The microwave preheating method yielded better noodles than the hot‐plate method. Stronger and firmer noodles, dry or cooked, were prepared using two‐stage drying compared with the other drying methods. Fine flour that was preheated using a microwave oven and dried using the two‐stage method gave the best noodles with moderate (10%) dry matter loss. Optimized processing conditions yielded sorghum noodles with good qualities when properly cooked.     

水氮梯度对饲用甜高粱生长和水分利用效率的影响

【目的】探究不同灌溉量和施氮水平对饲用甜高粱生长特性、单株耗水规律以及水分利用效率的影响,为确定饲用甜高粱适宜种植密度、优化水氮管理措施以及提高栽培生产潜力提供理论支撑。【方法】在温室条件下进行二因素三水平随机区组试验,供试饲用甜高粱品种为‘大力士’。设置了3个灌溉量,分别为达到田间持水量的30%～50%(I1)、50%～70%(I2)、70%～90%(I3);设置了3个施氮水平,分别为0 kg/hm² (N0)、200kg/hm² (N1)、400 kg/hm² (N2)。在饲用甜高粱拔节期取样,测定甜高粱株高、茎粗、鲜重与干重。同时,采用自动称重式蒸渗仪测定单株耗水动态,计算了干物质水分利用效率。【结果】1)增加灌溉量显著增加了饲用甜高粱株高和茎粗,与I1相比,I2、I3灌溉量下甜高粱株高分别提高了20.0%和34.5%,茎粗分别增加了18.0%和36.6%。施氮对株高和茎粗无显著影响。2)增加灌溉量显著提高甜高粱植株茎、叶及地上部鲜重和干重,施氮水平仅显著影响叶的鲜重和茎的干重。与I1相比,I2、I3灌溉量下地上部...     

Winter annual small grain forage potential. I. Dry matter yield in relation to morphological characteristics of four small grain species at six growth stages

Abstract

Small grains offer a potential animal feed at a time when moisture is usually available in the Southeast. The four major winter annual small grains, barley, oats, rye, and wheat, have not been compared as potential feed sources in the same study in the past. These four small grains were harvested at six stages of growth: vegetative, boot, heading, milk, soft dough, and hard dough. Harvest dates, dry matter (DM) yield, DM yield of regrowth following initial harvest, DM concentration, and the proportions of leaf, stem and inflorescence were measured and used to evaluate the four species for silage production and grazing potential. Rye and barley reached boot prior to the suggested planting date for corn in the Piedmont of North Carolina and dry matter yields ranged from 4.72 to 6.71 Mg ha^‐1 and were harvested. Barley reached milk, soft dough, and hard dough earlier than the other species and was equal to or higher than the other species in proportion of DM in leaf DM yield and total DM yield in 1982 and 1983. Wheat DM yield was second to barley from heading to hard dough in 1982 and 1983. Barley DM yield was 69 to 80% of wheat from boot through soft dough in 1984.     

A flood-free period combined with early planting is required to sustain yield of pre-rice sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

Abstract

Understanding the responses of sweet sorghum to flooding and the characters associated with flooding tolerance may be a useful strategy for pre-rice production and help meet demand for biofuel feedstock. Three sweet sorghum genotypes (Bailey, Keller and Wray) and five flooding treatments including non-flooding control, continuous flooding extended from 30, 45, 60 and 75 days after emergence to harvest were conducted under greenhouse conditions. Flooding decreased leaf dry weight (22–60%), leaf area (10–70%), number of node per stalk (1–5%), shoot dry weight (5–20%) and stalk yield (2–22%) with highest reduction in 30 days after emergence flooding treatment. Flooding later than 30 days after emergence did not significantly affect shoot growth, yield and yield components. Brix value, sucrose content and total sugar content were not significantly affected. All studied cultivars had similar shoot growth response. Flooding induced development of roots in water; root length, root dry weight, nodal root and lateral root number and interconnection of aerenchyma spaces from roots in flooded soil to stalk base above water level but suppressed root growth in flooded soil. The acclimation traits were highest in Keller, flooding from 30 days after emergence but there was a lack of root development in 75 days after emergence flooding treatments. These findings indicate the effect of waterlogging on sweet sorghum growth and yield strongly depends on the growth stage at which it occurs. There were genetic variations in root morphological and anatomical responses to flooding of sweet sorghum. The development of nodal and lateral roots and aerenchyma formation from flooded plant parts to stalk bases above water level may distribute to flooding tolerance in sweet sorghum. Based on the results, a flood-free period of at least 30 days after emergence is required to sustain yield of pre-rice sweet sorghum and early planting is highly recommended.     

Conservation and enrichment of forages by ensiling with poultry excreta

Abstract

In this study, ensiling of poultry manure with some tropical forages was investigated as a management option for poultry wastes. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia cassipes) and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) were ensiled with caged layer excreta (CLE) to enhance the nutritional value of the resultant fodder. Levels of CLE inclusion investigated ranged from 0% (control) to 50% (fresh weight basis). The pH, ammonia, and lactic and acetic acid contents of the resultant silage were determined at 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after ensiling. Low dry matter losses and increases in protein content with CLE additions were observed. Crude protein recoveries with 10, 30, and 50% CLE additions were 107, 126, and 99% for grass and 113, 107, and 111% for water hyacinth silages, respectively. In all silages, higher levels of acetic acid suggest that acetic acid rather than lactic acid is the main preservative in tropical forages. The introduction of manure‐based silages will result in substantial reduction in the cost of feed and subsequently render livestock production more profitable. Use of weeds especially water hyacinth could reduce the nuisance it poses to waterways and water bodies.     

Mineral Leaf Composition of Sweet Sorghum in Relation to Biomass and Sugar Yields under Different Nitrogen and Salinity Conditions

Diagnosing nutrient insufficiencies or toxicities in sorghum through foliar analysis is still unusual and mainly used for grain sorghum. The influences of the combinations of four nitrogen (N) rates with three sodium chloride (NaCl) rates on the leaf N, phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) concentrations of sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. saccharatum], cropped for ethanol production, and on biomass and sugar yields were evaluated in three consecutive years of an experiment established on a Eutric Fluvisol equipped with a trickle irrigation system (“triple emitter source”). The relationships among leaf nutrient concentrations, dry matter, and sugar yields were also examined. Nitrogen, much more than salinity, affected leaf nutrient concentration, stem dry weight, and sugar yield. Leaf N concentration was the best indicator for predicting sugar production of sweet sorghum.     

土壤盐胁迫降低后甜高粱的补偿生长和盐离子分布特征

逆境补偿效应在作物中普遍存在,对作物生长发育与产量产生重要的影响。为阐明土壤盐度降低后甜高粱的补偿生长效应,本研究采用盆栽方法,将甜高粱拔节期的土壤含盐量设置3个梯度:5 g×kg~(-1)(高盐处理)、由5 g×kg~(-1)降低到2 g×kg~(-1)(盐度降低处理)、2 g×kg~(-1)(低盐对照),测定2个甜高粱品种地上部器官(茎秆、叶片、叶鞘)干物质生长速率与积累,以及盐离子(Na~+、Cl~-、K~+)在不同器官的含量。结果表明:高盐处理甜高粱地上部干物质增长速率一直显著低于对照;土壤盐度降低后,各器官干物质生长速率明显升高,并超过对照,产生了超补偿效应。成熟期高盐处理株高与地上部干物质大幅下降;土壤盐度降低后‘辽甜1号’的株高与地上部干物质较低盐对照分别下降7.69%和33.21%,而‘中科甜3号’的株高和地上部干物质重与对照没有差异。高盐处理后各器官干物质中Na+和Cl-含量较对照大幅度提高,K+含量增加幅度较小。土壤盐分降低后的35 d,甜高粱Na+和Cl-在各器官中含量虽仍高于对照,但比高盐处理已大幅下降;茎秆与叶鞘K+的含量较对照有小幅提高,而叶片K+含量与对照无显著差异。本研究表明:甜高粱盐胁迫降低后离子毒害减轻、生长速率加快直至超过对照,耐盐甜高粱品种补偿效应尤为明显,成熟期干物质产量可与对照相当。本研究结果可为盐碱地甜高粱栽培提供理论依据。     

菌/酶添加对甜高粱渣青贮预处理作用的强化效果

为实现生物质甜高粱渣的青贮强化预处理和能源化利用，该研究探究了不同添加剂对其青贮质量和酶解糖化效果的影响。试验设置对照组（CK组）、植物乳杆菌组（L组）、纤维复合酶组（E组）和复合添加剂组（LE组），系统考察甜高粱渣在21 d青贮预处理期间的营养成分、木质纤维组分和发酵品质的动态变化，采用隶属函数法评价青贮质量，利用高通量测序技术分析青贮预处理过程的微生物菌群动态演绎。结合酶解糖化性能评价青贮预处理作用的强化效果，从而筛选适宜的添加剂。结果表明：青贮预处理后甜高粱渣的粗蛋白、淀粉、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维、半纤维素和纤维素等能量组分含量显著高于原料（P<0.05）。青贮21 d时，3个添加剂组的干物质、可溶性碳水化合物和粗蛋白含量显著高于CK组（P<0.05），综纤维素含量显著低于CK组（P<0.05），且E组的干物质含量最高，L组的粗蛋白含量最高，E组和LE组的可溶性碳水化合物含量最高。青贮预处理期间，3个添加剂组的pH值均低于4.2,L组的乳酸和乙酸含量明显高于CK组（P<0.05）,E组的乳酸/乙酸和乳酸/总有机酸比值显著高于CK组（P<0.05）...     

不同切碎方式对全株玉米青贮饲料品质影响的试验研究

该试验以乳熟期全株玉米为青贮原料,分别进行揉切、粉碎和切断处理,使用60 L青贮桶作为青贮装置,在室温下密封贮藏60 d后开封。试验结果表明：试验所用全株玉米的干物质含量为23.53％、可溶性碳水化合物含量为9.12％、粗蛋白含量为9.35％,为优质的青贮原料。经不同切碎方式的各组青贮饲料的有机酸含量均无显著差异(P＞0.05),pH值均在4.0以下,而且氨态氮与总氮的质量比也均在5.0以下,达到了优质青贮饲料的标准,虽然各青贮饲料的粗蛋白、粗灰分和可溶性碳水化合物含量有显著差异(P＜0.05),但均为优质的青贮饲料。综合比较,揉切青贮饲料的发酵品质和消化效果最好。     

添加乳酸菌和葡萄糖对苜蓿青贮品质的影响

初花期收获的苜蓿经过0h、8h和32h的晾晒(干物质含量分别为27.15%、38.45%、50.87%),添加不同含量的乳酸菌 葡萄糖(0、105cfu/g 20g/kg、106cfu/g 15g/kg、107cfu/g 10g/kg)进行青贮,其品质测定结果表明:无添加剂直接青贮时,苜蓿低水分(干物质含量为50.87%)青贮的效果最好,其青贮综合评定为82分;添加乳酸菌 葡萄糖青贮时,3种不同干物质水平中以凋萎苜蓿(干物质含量为38.45%)青贮后青贮料的青贮品质和综合评定最好;苜蓿较低干物质含量(27.15%)条件下,适中的乳酸菌和葡萄糖添加量(106cfu/g 15g/kg)可以得到最好的青贮效果和最高的综合评分;而在干物质含量为38.45%和50.87%条件下,乳酸菌和葡萄糖添加量为107cfu/g 10g/kg时,可以得到较好的青贮效果和最高的综合评分。     

不同饲料作物对苏打盐碱土改良效应研究

为探明不同饲料作物种植对苏打盐碱土改良的影响，以内蒙古科尔沁旗苏打盐碱地为研究对象，设置3个土壤等级(中、良、优)和5个饲料作物种类(高丹草、稗草、青贮玉米、湖南稷子、甜高粱)，共计15个处理，研究不同土壤等级下，饲料作物对土壤盐化碱化、养分含量变化的影响，并根据模糊物元-熵权模型进行土壤改良效应评价。结果表明：饲料作物收获后土壤平均p H较播种前降低1.64%，种植前后土壤p H差异不显著；土壤EC、总可溶性盐、碱化度显著降低(P<0.05)。不同饲料作物种植降低土壤Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、HCO₃^–+CO₃^2–含量，提高土壤K⁺+Na⁺、Cl^–含量，对土壤SO₄^2–含量影响存在差异，收获后土壤碱解氮和速效钾含量比播种前分别降低15.15%、24.06%。基于模糊物元-熵权模型得出，青贮玉米对土壤盐渍化程度较高的土壤改良效果更佳，而甜高粱与高丹...     

Growth and nutrient uptake in grain sorghum grown under mulch

Mulches can alter plant growth by changing the soil environment, but their effects on mineral uptake in grain sorghum are unknown. A 3‐year study was conducted to measure nutrient uptake in plants grown under 0, 2200, 4400, and 8800 kg/ha mulch. Plants were irrigated to insure that moisture was not limiting. Dry‐matter production, total mineral uptake and concentrations were determined at 7‐ to 9‐leaf, late boot, soft dough, and physiological maturity growth stages. Mulches altered sorghum growth by delaying plant maturity and by increasing dry‐matter yields. Nutrient uptake increased with increased dry‐matter production although elemental concentrations declined. Hybrid reaction to mineral uptake was dependent on the specific environment created by the mulch. Hybrids did not respond the same to given mulch rates each year. Management considerations for soil fertility under mulch conditions should be made on the basis of expected dry‐matter yields for the specific environment.     

Leaf mineral element concentrations and growth of sweet sorghum subjected to acid soil stress

Abstract

The nutritional profile of sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivars grown under acid soil field stress conditions is a critical consideration when developing plants which are adapted to these infertile soils. Uptake and accumulation of macro‐ and micronutrients vary among genotypes and ultimately Influence plant growth and development. This study compared fourteen sweet sorghum germplasm lines and varieties for their Individual patterns of leaf nutrient concentrations and productivity when grown under acid soil field conditions (pH 4.45 to pH 4.85) at three locations over a two‐year period. Significant year x location interactions were found for Fe, K, and Ca concentrations at both Blairsville and Calhoun and for Mn and P levels at Blairsville and Calhoun, respectively. Data from Calhoun on plant height, dry weight, visual stress ratings, and rainfall indicate a possible association between drought tolerance and acid soil tolerance in sorghum. No significant differences in A1 concentrations were found among these sweet sorghum lines and varieties, which indicate that their acid soil tolerance mechanisms are probably not related to A1. MN 1054 accumulated the highest levels of Mn in the three acid soils. The highest concentrations of Mg and P were found in Brandes. MN 960 had the highest visual stress ratings (highest susceptibility) while Brandes, Ramada, Roma, and Wray were the most tolerant. All fourteen cultivars apparently have some tolerance to acid soil stress conditions.     

Protein Quality and Physical Characteristics of Kisra (Fermented Sorghum Pancake‐like Flatbread) Made from Tannin and Non‐Tannin Sorghum Cultivars

Kisra is a naturally lactic acid bacteria‐ and yeast‐fermented sorghum thin pancake‐like flatbread produced in Sudan. Kisra has considerable potential as the basis for development of a gluten‐free sandwich wrap. To help direct cultivar selection for commercial production of these products, two white, tan plant non‐tannin Type I, one white Type II tannin, and one red Type III tannin sorghum cultivars were evaluated with respect to kisra protein quality and physical characteristics. Kisra from the non‐tannin sorghums were flexible and had an open‐textured structure with many regular gas cells, whereas those from the tannin sorghums were more brittle, denser in structure, and contained far fewer and smaller gas cells. Kisra from the tannin sorghums had the lowest reactive lysine content, in vitro protein digestibility, and Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Score (PDCAAS), with values being lowest for the Type III sorghum. PDCAAS of kisra from the Type III sorghum was only 0.12, less than half of that from the Type I sorghums. As the tannins in tannin sorghums adversely affect kisra protein quality and physical characteristics, white tan plant, non‐tannin sorghum cultivars are most suitable for kisra production and for development of wrap‐type sorghum‐based baked goods.     

青贮方式对青贮玉米饲料品质及“平凉红牛”育肥效果的影响

青贮方式会影响青贮饲料的品质，进而影响到青贮饲料的饲喂效果。为筛选出青贮效果好，青贮饲料报酬及育肥效益高的玉米青贮方式。基于牛只体况，年龄、体重相近的原则，选取24头12月龄的“平凉红牛”阉牛作为试验对象。随机分为2组，每组12头，对照组饲喂窖贮青贮玉米+精饲料，试验组饲喂裹包青贮玉米+精饲料，共饲喂90 d，比较裹包青贮玉米和窖贮青贮玉米感官品质、营养品质及其育肥效果和经济效益。结果表明:不同青贮方式下，全株玉米感官品质无差异，但全株玉米裹包青贮组干物质、粗蛋白、淀粉、中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维、钙和磷含量均显著高于窖贮青贮组(P < 0.05)；饲喂裹包青贮+精饲料组的“平凉红牛”平均日增重较窖贮青贮+精饲料组高7.14%，每头牛日纯利润比窖贮青贮+精饲料高3.24元。综上所述，裹包青贮方式可有效保存饲料原料养分，且饲喂效果明显。     

Potassium and sodium fertilization affects leaf nutrient content and growth of ‘Shawnee’ blackberry

Aluminum (Al) has many detrimental effects on plant growth, and shoots and roots are normally affected differently. A study was conducted to determine differences among sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes with broad genetic backgrounds for growth traits of plants grown at 0,200,400,600, and 800 μM Al in nutrient solutions (pH 4.0). Genotypes were categorized into “Al‐sensitive”, “intermediate Al‐tolerant”, “Al‐tolerant”, and SC 283 (an Al‐tolerant standard). As Al increased, shoot and root dry matter (DM), net main axis root length (NMARL), and total root length (TRL) became lower than controls (0 Al). Aluminum toxicity and/or nutrient deficiency symptoms become more severe, and shoot to root DM ratios and specific RL (TRL/root DM) values also changed as Al in solution increased. Root DM had greater changes among genotypes than shoot DM, and NMARL at 400 μM Al, and TRL at 200 μM Al had greater differences among genotypes than root DM, ratings for toxicity and/or deficiency symptoms, and other DM and RL traits. The wide differences among genotypes for NMARL and TRL could be used more effectively to evaluate sorghum genotypes for tolerance to Al toxicity than the other growth traits.