Abstract
To determine the effect of different growth stages and cultivars on the chemical composition of sorghum plant and its morphological fractions, samples of whole plant, leaf and stem of J.S-263, J.S-88 and Hegari cultivars, harvested at various growth stages were drawn for analysis. All the samples were analysed for their dry matter contents and various cell wall components such as NDF, ADF. hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, cutin and silica. Significant increase in DM contents of whole sorghum plant, leaf and stem was observed with advancing stage of growth. The highest DM content was recorded in leaf fraction of the plant. All the cell wall constituents increased significantly in whole sorghum plant, leaf and stem as the plant matured. The maximum NDF, ADF, cellulose and lignin contents were observed in stem fraction, followed by whole plant. However, the hemicellulose, cutin and silica contents were higher in leaf fraction of the plant. The cultivars were found to have some effect on the chemical composition of whole plant, leaf and stem fractions. The results indicated that plant maturity had a much greater effect on the chemical composition of sorghum plant, whereas it was little affected by cultivars.