Five local varieties of Sudan grass i.e; Giza 1, Giza 2, Giza 3, Piper and quena Sudan grass as well as two imported varieties i.e., Is22313 and Is 3310 were evaluated for downy mildew resistance, growth parameter, nutritive value and forage yield in disease nursery at Gemmeiza Agricultural Research Station, A.R.C., Egypt during 1999 and 2000 summer seasons.      Results of the combined data over the two seasons demonstrated that disease incidence increased by increasing the cutting numbers. On contrast, growth characteristics i.e.; plant height and stem diameter beside crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF) and Ash% as well as forage yield were decreased by increasing the cutting numbers.      The selected varieties Is 22313 and quena proved to be highly resistant to disease while Giza2 variety was resistant and can be used as parents for production of resistant hybrids. In addition to the above mentioned varieties contained high level of CP, CF and Ash%, beside fresh and dry forage yield, compared with Giza 3 and Is 3310 which show highly susceptible varieties contained the lowest level of CP, CF and Ash%, beside fresh and dry forage yield.