Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

Sorghum is a plant of hot and warm localities. The optimum temperature for growth is 30^oC and it needs about 250-400 mm rainfall. Excess moisture and prolonged drought are harmful. It is fairly tolerant to alkalinity and salinity.

Seasons

Rainfed crop : May-August

Irrigated crop : January-April

Varieties

Co.1, Co-10, Co-12, Co-17, K-1, K-2

Hybrids - CSH-1 to CSH-4, Co-11, Co-1

Seeds and sowing

Seeds are sown @ 12-15 kg ha-1. Dibble two seeds/hole, at a spacing of 45 x 15 cm.

Manuring
For both irrigated and rainfed crops FYM / compost may be applied @ 5 t ha-1.

Fertilizers may be applied as follows:

Nutrients / ha         Irrigated crop         Rainfed crop

N                               90 kg                    45 kg

P₂O₅                         45 kg                     25 kg

K₂O                          45 kg                     25 kg

Apply FYM and entire quantity of phosphorus and potash as basal dose. Apply nitrogen in two equal splits, half as basal and the rest 30 days after sowing.

Aftercultivation

Thinning, weeding and hoeing may be done on the 20^th day after sowing.

Irrigation

Irrigate the crop on the day of sowing and thereafter at 10 days interval.

Plant protection

Apply carbaryl at milky stages for the control of earhead bugs.

Spray zineb @ 2kg ha-1 on 30^th and 45^th day after germination for the control of foliar diseases.