Sorghum belongs to grass family grown for grain, processed into syrup. Its growth is as simple as growing maize however it can withstands drought and floods.
Different sorghum varieties mature at different times, but most varieties take an average of 90 – 150 days but the highest varieties are obtained for sorghum that takes 100 – 120 days to mature. Spacing should be 75cm between rows and within rows 20cm for early, 25cm for medium and 30cm for late varieties.
Sorghum agronomy
Select site with deep loamy soils, warm climate as it requires rain fall between 600 – 1000mm per annum.
Prepare land by clearing with hoes, tractors, bullocks and herbicides.
Select the best seed variety such as grain sorghum, sweet sorghum and broom corn from certified seed sources.
When rain fall is adequately distributed, plant in lines dressed seeds with fungicides such as apron plus to control shoot flies at optimum spacing.
Apply fertilizers 6 – 8cm from plant to avoid scorching young seedlings.
Add organic manure if available to meet the soil nutrient demands.
Control weeds by good land preparation, manual weeding, pre emergency herbicides, rotation with trap crops such as cotton, ground nuts.
Control main sorghum insect pests and diseases to increase yields.
Harvest grain as soon as they mature, dry them properly, store, thresh and treat grains to control weevils.
