Sorghum Cultivation Guide for Agriculture

 


Sorghum Cultivation Guide for Agriculture

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a drought-resistant cereal crop widely grown for food, fodder, and industrial uses. It is a staple grain in many arid and semi-arid regions, including Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The crop is valued for its adaptability to diverse climatic conditions and its role in food security and livestock feed production.

1. Climate and Soil Requirements

Climate:

  • Sorghum thrives in warm climates with temperatures between 25°C and 35°C.
  • It is highly drought-resistant, making it suitable for arid and semi-arid regions.
  • The crop requires at least 500–800 mm of rainfall per growing season, though some varieties can tolerate lower moisture levels.
  • It can also withstand temporary waterlogging but prefers well-drained conditions.

Soil:

  • Best suited to loamy, sandy-loam, or clay-loam soils with good drainage.
  • Optimal soil pH: 5.5 to 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral).
  • Tolerant to poor soils but responds well to organic matter and balanced fertilization.

2. Land Preparation and Sowing

Land Preparation:

  • Plow the field 2–3 times to break soil clumps and improve aeration.
  • Add well-decomposed manure or compost to enrich soil fertility.
  • Create furrows or ridges for better moisture conservation.

Sowing Time:

  • In rain-fed areas, sowing should be done at the onset of rains.
  • In irrigated systems, planting is flexible but best during warm months.

Seed Rate and Spacing:

  • Seed rate: 8–12 kg per hectare.
  • Spacing:
    • Row spacing: 45–75 cm
    • Plant spacing: 15–25 cm
  • Sowing depth: 2–4 cm for proper germination.

Sowing Methods:

  1. Broadcasting – Scattering seeds manually (less efficient).
  2. Drilling – Using seed drills for even planting (preferred for uniform growth).
  3. Transplanting – Raising seedlings in nurseries and transplanting them after 3–4 weeks (used in specific regions).

3. Fertilization and Nutrient Management

Fertilizer Requirements:

  • Nitrogen (N): 60–80 kg/ha (boosts vegetative growth).
  • Phosphorus (P): 20–40 kg/ha (strengthens root development).
  • Potassium (K): 20–40 kg/ha (improves stress tolerance).
  • Organic Manure: Apply 5–10 tons per hectare of farmyard manure or compost.

Application Schedule:

  1. At sowing: Apply full phosphorus and potassium and one-third of nitrogen.
  2. After 30 days: Apply second dose of nitrogen as top dressing.
  3. At flowering stage: Apply remaining nitrogen to boost grain filling.

4. Irrigation and Water Management

  • Sorghum is drought-tolerant, but irrigation at key stages improves yield.
  • Critical irrigation stages:
    • Germination (0–10 days) – Ensures uniform seedling emergence.
    • Tillering stage (20–30 days) – Enhances plant development.
    • Flowering (50–60 days) – Prevents grain abortion.
    • Grain filling (70–90 days) – Increases grain weight and quality.
  • Irrigation intervals:
    • In light soils: Every 7–10 days.
    • In heavy soils: Every 15–20 days.

5. Weed, Pest, and Disease Management

Weed Control:

  • Hand weeding at 15–20 days and 30–40 days after sowing.
  • Mulching to suppress weeds and conserve moisture.
  • Herbicides: Pre-emergence application of Atrazine (1–2 kg/ha) helps control broadleaf weeds.

Pest Management:

  1. Stem borer (Busseola fusca, Chilo partellus)

    • Symptoms: Tunneling in stems, dead heart in young plants.
    • Control: Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or neem-based sprays.

  2. Sorghum midge (Stenodiplosis sorghicola)

    • Symptoms: Small larvae feed on grains, causing shriveled grains.
    • Control: Use resistant varieties and early sowing.

  3. Aphids (Melanaphis sacchari)

    • Symptoms: Yellowing and curling of leaves, honeydew secretion.
    • Control: Spray neem oil or systemic insecticides (Imidacloprid 0.5 ml/L).

Disease Management:

  1. Anthracnose (Colletotrichum graminicola)

    • Symptoms: Circular reddish-brown spots on leaves and stems.
    • Control: Use fungicide sprays (Mancozeb or Carbendazim 2 g/L).

  2. Grain mold (Fusarium spp., Curvularia spp.)

    • Symptoms: Moldy, discolored grains.
    • Control: Harvest on time, dry grains properly.

6. Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management

Harvesting:

  • Sorghum matures in 90–120 days depending on variety.
  • Harvest when grains are hard and dry (moisture content ~20%).
  • Cut the stalks manually or using a mechanical harvester.

Threshing and Drying:

  • Thresh using a wooden stick, mechanical thresher, or combine harvester.
  • Dry grains under the sun to reduce moisture to 12–14% for safe storage.

Storage:

  • Store in clean, dry silos or bags to prevent pest infestations.
  • Use hermetic bags or pesticide-treated containers to prevent damage.

7. Uses and Economic Importance

Food Uses:

  • Sorghum is consumed as porridge, flatbreads, and fermented foods.
  • It is gluten-free and rich in fiber, making it ideal for health-conscious diets.

Animal Feed:

  • Sorghum grain and fodder are excellent for livestock feed.

Industrial Uses:

  • Used in alcohol production, biofuel, starch extraction, and brewing.

8. Improved Sorghum Varieties

  • Drought-resistant: Seredo, Gadam, IS22380.
  • High-yielding: KARI Mtama-1, E1291, Macia.
  • Disease-resistant: Parbhani Moti, CSH 16.

Conclusion

Sorghum is a resilient and profitable crop for farmers in water-scarce regions. By adopting proper cultivation techniques—such as timely planting, fertilization, irrigation, and pest control—farmers can maximize yields and economic returns. Sorghum's versatility in food, feed, and industry makes it a key crop for sustainable agriculture.

Would you like more details on a specific aspect, such as sorghum varieties suited for your region?