Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare):

• It is annual non-leguminous fodder crop found in tropical to temperate climatic condition.
• It is native to Africa and also called ad ‘Jowar’.
• Beside pasture, they are also cultivated as cereal crop in some parts.

Climate and altitude:

• It can be cultivated from tropical to temperate climatic condition.
• It can be grown from Terai to Hills upto 3500 ft.
• It requires 26-33°C for its growth and annual rainfall of 20-40 inch.

Soil:

• It can be grown in all type of soil.
• It grows well in clayey silty loam soil.
• It donot tolerate water-logging areas.

Land preparation:

• Lands are ploughed 2-3 times and soil are made friable, fine soil.
• Weeds from field are cleared, either buried under ground or burnt.

Seed rate: 20-25 kg/ha

Sowing season:

• In irrigated areas: Falgun/Chaitra
• In rainfed areas: Jestha/Ashad

Method of sowing:

• Broadcasting: Seeds are spread uniformly across soil surface and then covered with light layer of soil using harrow or rake.
• Drilling: Seeds are sown in rows at a specific depth. Row spacing: 45-75 cm, plant spacing within row: 10-15 cm
• Transplanting: Seedlings are grown in nursery and then transplanted into field.

Fertilizer Dose:

• Normally, fertilizer is not required.
• For better production, chemical fertilizer NPK @ 60:50:30 kg/ha

Harvesting Time:

• In irrigated areas, first cutting can be obtained after 2 months.
• In non-irrigated areas, cuttings should be done only after flowering.

Production:

• Green fodder: 30-80 MT/ha
• Seed production: 1.5-2 MT/ha

Varieties: Bidisa 60-1, Sweet sorghum, Riyo, S.L 44, JS 73153, IAS 6090 Canadian Hybrid

Nutrient Content of Sorghum: