Objective The study was conducted to screen out sweet sorghum and Sorghum bicolor×Sorghum sudanense varieties suitable for planting in western Guangdong.

Method Taking the introduced sweet sorghum and Sorghum bicolor×Sorghum sudanense as test materials, the phenological period, agronomic characteristics and conventional nutritional components(crude protein(CP), crude fiber(CF), ether extract(EE))of 8 sweet sorghum varieties (Niumowang, Hainiu, Baizhan, Dalishi, Desheng, Daka, Juejia, Lvjuren)and 5 Sorghum bicolor×Sorghum sudanense varieties(Baobaisi, Biaobingyucao, Jiebao, Deli, Leshi)were analyzed. And the organic matter digestibility was calculated.

Result There were some differences in phenological period, plant height, stem diameter and stem-leaf ratio among different varieties. The hay yield of sweet sorghum was 7.13-18.22 t/hm², and the contents of CP, CF and EE were 5.97%-8.99%, 22.91%-33.01% and 1.67%-3.00%, respectively. The hay yield of Sorghum bicolor×Sorghum sudanense was 5.63-19.99 t/hm², and the contents of CP, CF and EE were 6.39%-7.04%, 25.30%-30.44% and 1.51%-2.40%, respectively. Among the 8 sweet sorghum varieties, Desheng had the highest hay yield, which was significantly higher than that of other varieties. Among the top 3 sweet sorghum varieties in hay yield, the CP content of Desheng was significantly higher than that of Lvjuren and Dalishi, however, the digestibility of organic matter was significantly lower than that of Dalishi. Baobaisi had the highest hay yield among the 5 Sorghum bicolor×Sorghum sudanense varieties, which was significantly higher than that of other varieties. Baobaisi and Leshi were the top two Sorghum bicolor×Sorghum sudanense varieties in hay yield, but there was no significant difference in CP content and organic matter digestibility between them

Conclusion Desheng, Dalishi and Baobaisi have good production performance in western Guangdong Province, and they are suitable to be promoted and planted in this area.