Sorghum

Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots (unranked): Commelinids Order: Poales Family: Poaceae Sorghum Genus:
L.

Species About !" species# see te$t Sorghum is a genus o% numerous species o% grasses# some o% &'ic' are raised %or grain and many o% &'ic' are used as %odder plants eit'er culti(ated or as part o% pasture. )'e plants are culti(ated in &armer climates &orld&ide. *pecies are nati(e to tropical and subtropical regions o% all continents in addition to t'e *out' +est Paci%ic and Australasia. *org'um is in t'e sub%amily Panicoideae and t'e tribe Andropogoneae (t'e tribe o% big bluestem and sugar cane). For more speci%ic details on commercially e$ploited *org'um see commercial sorg'um

Cereal grain plant of the family Poaceae, probably native to Africa, and its edible starchy seeds. All types raised chiefly for grain belong to the species Sorghum vulgare, which includes varieties of grain sorghums and grass sorghums (grown for hay and fodder) and broomcorn (used in making brooms and brushes). The strong grass usually grows ! " ft (#.$ ! .$ m) or higher. The seeds are smaller than those of wheat. Though high in carbohydrates, sorghum is of lower feed %uality than corn. &esistant to drought and heat, sorghum is one of Africa's ma(or cereal grains. )t is also grown in the *.+., )ndia, Pakistan, and northern and northeastern China. +ubstantial %uantities are also grown in )ran, the Arabian Peninsula, Argentina, Australia, and southern ,urope. The grain is usually ground into meal for porridge, flatbreads, and cakes.

*org'um includes many &idely culti(ated grasses 'a(ing a (ariety o% names in (arious countries. Culti(ated sorg'ums in t'e ,nited *tates are classi%ied as a single species# Sorghum bicolor# alt'oug' t'ere are many (arieties and 'ybrids. )'e t&o ma-or types o% sorg'um are t'e grain# or nonsacc'arine# type# culti(ated %or grain production and to a lesser e$tent %or %orage# and t'e s&eet# or sacc'arine# type# used %or %orage production and %or making syrup and sugar. Grain sorg'um is di%%icult to distinguis' %rom corn in its early gro&t' stages# but at later stages it becomes strikingly di%%erent. *org'um plants may tiller (put out ne& s'oots)# producing se(eral 'ead.bearing culms %rom t'e basal nodes. *econdary culms may also de(elop %rom nodal buds along t'e main stem. )'e in%lorescence ('ead) (aries %rom a dense to a la$ panicle# and t'e spikelets produce per%ect %lo&ers t'at are sub-ect to bot' sel%. and cross.%ertili/ation. Mature grain in di%%erent (arieties (aries in si/e and color %rom &'ite to cream# red# and bro&n. Grain sorg'um seeds are small and s'ould not be planted too deep since sorg'um lacks t'e soil. penetrating ability o% corn. )'e seeds are planted eit'er in ro&s &ide enoug' %or tractor culti(ation or in narro&er ro&s i% culti(ation is not intended. Commonly kno&n as sorgo# s&eet sorg'um &as introduced into 0ort' America %rom C'ina in 123"# alt'oug' its ancestry traces back to 4gypt. 5t is an annual# rat'er droug't.resistant

crop. )'e culms are %rom 6 to 13 %t (".7 to 8.7 m) tall# and t'e 'ard cortical layer# or s'ell# encloses a s&eet# -uicy pit' t'at is interspersed &it' (ascular bundles. At eac' node bot' a lea% and a lateral bud alternate on opposite sides9 t'e internodes are alternately groo(ed on one side. Lea(es are smoot' &it' glossy or &a$y sur%aces and 'a(e margins &it' small# s'arp# cur(ed teet'. )'e lea(es %old and roll up during droug't. )'e in%lorescence is a panicle o% (arying si/e 'a(ing many primary branc'es &it' paired ellipsoidal spikelets containing t&o %lorets in eac' %ertile sessile spikelet. )'e plant is sel%.pollinated. *eed is planted in culti(ated
ro&s and %ertili/ed similarly to corn. )'e main sorg'um.syrup.producing area is in t'e sout'. central and sout'eastern ,nited *tates. See also Corte$ (plant)9 Pit'.

FOO: and 0,);5)5O0

Sorghum vulgare, S. bicolor- cereals that thrive in semi.arid regions and provide important human food in tropical Africa, central and north )ndia, and China. +orghum produced in the *+A and Australia is used for animal feed. Also known as kaffir corn (in +outh Africa), guinea corn (in west Africa), (owar (in )ndia), )ndian millet, and millo mai/e. The white.grain variety is eaten as meal- the red.grained has a bitter taste and is used for beer- sugar syrup is obtained from the crushed stems of the sweet sorghum. A ##.g portion is a rich source of protein, vitamin 01, niacin, and iron- a good source of /inc- a source of vitamin 0 - provides 12g of dietary fibresupplies 33#kcal ( "##k4). +ee also millet.

Sorghum: Temperature
Sorghum requires about 26-30oC temperature for good growth. The minimum temperature for the germination of the sorghum seed is 7 to 10oC. Grain sorghum does not germinate and grow we under !oo soi !onditions. "oor emergen!e and seed ing growth ma# resu t if p anted before soi temperatures rea!h 3$oC.

Sorghum: Rainfall
Sorghum is best adapted to areas ha%ing an a%erage annua rainfa between &$ to 6$ !m '17 to 2$ in!hes(. ) though sorghum !an respond to good moisture supp ies* it is ne%erthe ess one of the toughest* drought to erant !rops a%ai ab e and this tends to maintain its popu arit# in the regions where the weather is %er# unpredi!tab e.

<eterinary 5mportance
Grass genus in t'e plant %amily Poaceae9 can cause cyanide and nitrate=nitrite poisoning9 t'e cyanide poisoning may be in t'e peracute# let'al# ano$ia %orm or a c'ronic %orm mani%ested by spinal cord degeneration# ata$ia# urinary incontinence and conse>uential pyelonep'ritis# or as congenital de%ormities including art'rogryposis. 5ncludes Sorghum almum# S. bicolor (S. vulgare# grain sorg'um)# S. halepense (?o'nson grass)# S. sudanense# S. verticilliflorum. 5ncludes (ery (aluable %odder crops used e$tensi(ely as ensilage or green c'op# and a grain sorg'um used %or lot %eeding. Fodder sorg'um is t'e more dangerous but bot' s'ould be considered as potentially poisonous.

Species

Sorghum almum Sorghum amplum Sorghum angustum Sorghum arundinaceum Sorghum bicolor (primary culti(ated species)
o

Sorghum bicolor subsp. drummondii @ *udan grass

Sorghum brachypodum Sorghum bulbosum Sorghum burmahicum Sorghum controversum Sorghum drummondii Sorghum ecarinatum Sorghum exstans Sorghum grande Sorghum halepense Sorghum interjectum Sorghum intrans Sorghum laxiflorum Sorghum leiocladum Sorghum macrospermum Sorghum matarankense Sorghum miliaceum Sorghum nigrum Sorghum nitidum Sorghum plumosum Sorghum propinquum Sorghum purpureosericeum Sorghum stipoideum Sorghum timorense Sorghum trichocladum Sorghum versicolor Sorghum virgatum Sorghum vulgare

Hybrids

Sorghum almum Sorghum drummondii

See also

Aai-iu alco'olic be(erage distilled %rom sorg'um Pus'=pull tec'nology pest control strategy %or mai/e and sorg'um

For ot'er uses# see Aai-u (disambiguation). Main article: C'inese alco'olic be(erages

Baijiu

Literal meaning

&'ite li>uor

Baijiu (C'inese: 9 pinyin: bBi-iC)# or s'aojiu (D) is a C'inese distilled alco'olic be(erage. )'e name baijiu literally means E&'ite li>uor#E E&'ite alco'olE or E&'ite spiritsE. Baijiu is o%ten mistakenly translated as E&ineE or E&'ite &ine#E but it is actually a distilled li>uor# generally about 2" to 16" proo%# or 8".7"F alco'ol by (olume (AA<).

Baijiu is a clear drink usually distilled %rom sorg'um %rom nort'ern C'ina are generally made o% sorg'um# &'eat# barley# millet# or occasionally ?obGs tears.

General in%ormation
+ild species are c'aracteri/ed by distinct ring o% long 'airs at t'e nodes# t'ey 'a(e loose in%lorescence &it' spreading branc'es. )'e branc'es o% t'e in%lorescence are &'orled. )'e lea(es look muc' like t'ose o% mai/e# t'ey sometimes roll o(er. A single plant may 'a(e more t'an t&o lea(es. )'e %lo&er 'ead carries t&o types o% %lo&ers# one type 'as no stalk and 'as bot' male and %emale parts# and t'e ot'er %lo&er is stalked and is usually male. *org'um gro&s in a &ide (ariety o% soils and is droug't resistant# but it &ill do better i% t'e soil is enric'ed &it' compost or %ertilisers prior to planting. Culti(ars 'a(e also been selected to suit di%%erent soil and climate conditions. A%ter 'ar(esting t'e stalks can be used %or cattle %ood or %uel. 5t is best to practice crop rotation and only gro& sorg'um on t'e same land e(ery 8 years.

*org'um Areeding
*org'um HSorghum bicolor (L.) Moenc'I is t'e %irst e(er sel%.pollinated cereal staple crop in &'ic' 'eterosis 'as been commercially e$ploited using a cytoplasmic.nuclear male.sterility (CM*) mec'anism to impro(e producti(ity. )'is system &as %irst described in sorg'um by *tep'ens and Jolland (1K38). )'is CM* system 'as been designated as A1 ( milo). *ince t'en a large number o% 'ybrids 'a(e been de(eloped and released andLor marketed %or commercial culti(ation in all sorg'um.gro&ing countries &it' a strong national agricultural researc' system (0A;*). )'ese 'ybrids 'a(e contributed signi%icantly to increasing grain and %orage yields in se(eral countries. 4ncouraged by t'is success# continued researc' in(estments 'a(e been made in t'e de(elopment o% 'ybrid parents Hmale.sterile (A.) lines (seed parents) and restorer (;.) linesI and 'ybrids by t'e sorg'um impro(ement programs o% se(eral 0A;* and by 5C;5*A). ;esearc' on 'ybrid parents at 5C;5*A) &as initiated in 1KM2 at its 'ead>uarters at Patanc'eru# And'ra Prades'# 5ndia.

Aroad General ! P'ases o% breeding in *org'um impro(ement

Phase I. :uring t'is p'ase# grain yield and %ood.>uality c'aracteristics# along &it' ma-or adaptation traits suc' as maturity time recei(ed emp'asis in an e%%ort to matc' crop.season and region. speci%ic re>uirements. )'e breeding strategy in(ol(ed con(ersion o% F7 'omo/ygous lines &it' male.sterility maintainer reaction (A.lines) deri(ed %rom pedigree selection into A.lines. Lines &it' good general combining ability (gca) %or grain yield# grain >uality# desired maturity and

plant 'eig't (d&ar%) &ere con(erted into A.lines using 3=7 backcrosses to a kno&n A.line &it' A1 cytoplasm. A total o% K6 'ig'yielding A.LA.lines# including 1M early.maturity lines (N77 days to 3"F %lo&ering)# and M3 medium.maturity lines(77=M3 days to 3"F %lo&ering) &ere de(eloped during t'is period.
Phase II.

A trait.based breeding approac' &as %ollo&ed to de(elop 'ybrid parents resistant to biotic and abiotic constraints during t'is p'ase. 5t in(ol(ed simultaneous selection %or resistance to speci%ic biotic stresses Hsuc' as s'oot %ly HAtherigona soccata (;ond.)I# stem borer HChilo partellus (*&in.)I# midge HStenodiplosis sorghicola (Co>.)I# 'ead bug (Calocoris angustatus Let'.)# grain mold (%ungal comple$ consisting o% Curvularialunata9 Fusarium spp.9 Alternaria alternata9 Cladosporiumoxysporum9 Colletotrichum# etc.)# do&ny milde& (Peronosclerospora sorghi)# lea% blig't (Exserohilumturcicum)# ant'racnose (Collectotrichum graminicola)# rust (Puccinia purpurea) and StrigaI and abiotic stresses (suc' as terminal droug't) based on %amilies# and %orgrain yield based on indi(idual plants &it'in t'e selected resistant %amilies %rom t'e F8 generation on&ard. )'e selected lines &it' maintainer reaction &ere con(erted into A.lines. )'e trait.based met'od ensured retaining greater genetic di(ersity in t'e A.lines. )'us# 37M traitbased A.LA.lines (;eddy et al. 6""3) and !" 'ig'.yielding A.LA.lines &ere de(eloped at 5C;5*A).Patanc'eru in P'ase 55# resulting in a total o% 3KM A.LA.lines. Phase III. )'is p'ase marked t'e beginning o% race.speci%ic and alternati(e (non.milo) CM* systems (A6# A! and A8 in t'at order) &it' t'e goal o% di(ersi%ying A.lines. Furt'er# di(ersi%ication o% A.lines %or %armerpre%erred e(ident grain >uality traits suc' as &'ite# large and lustrous grains %or postrainy season adaptation (typical o% 5ndia) 'as been emp'asi/ed. :i(ersi%ication o% A.lines &as scaled do&n to only t&o ma-or biotic constraints# s'oot %ly (%or rainy and postrainy seasons) and grain mold (%or t'e rainy season)# &'ile maintaining 'ig' yield potential. )'ese e%%orts led to t'e de(elopment o% M!6 A. LA.lines# &'ic' include A1 CM* system.based 173 (17" old O 3 ne&) 'ig'.yielding lines# 82M biotic and abiotic stress.resistant.lines# and 31 A6# 1M A! and 16 A8 CM* system.based lines at 5C;5*A).Patanc'eru. All t'ese A. LA.lines 'a(e been designated as 5C*A 1# 6# !# ... etc.# nos.# &'ere P5C*AQ re%ers to 5C;5*A) sorg'um A.LAlines .

Plant &ater relations in *org'um

5smotic Ad(ustment in 6eaves of +orghum in &esponse to 7ater 8eficits

Lo&er osmotic potential enabled plants to maintain turgor and decreased t'e sensiti(ity o% turgor.dependent processes. *ugar and K &ere identi%ied as t'e ma-or solutes contributing to osmotic potential in sorghum. *ugar and K concentrations in cell sap increase under water de%icit conditions in %a(our o% decreasing osmotic potential

)'e culti(ars &'ic' maintained 'ig'er CM* ( cell membrane stability)# 'ig'er 4+L ( epicuticular &a$ load) # lo&er cuticular conductance# 'ig'er turgor and 'ig'er osmotic ad-ustment under water de%icit conditions &ere identi%ied as droug't tolerant. EWL increased on lea(es o% water de%icient plants and &as positi(ely correlated &it' cuticular conductance and CM*. Membrane p'osp'olipid content increased in water.stressed plants.

AR,APO;50* a 'ope plant &ater relation &orkers

Figure 1. A>uaporins %acilitate t'e di%%usion o% water and small neutral solutes across plant cell membranes. )'e residual permeability o% t'e lipid membrane to t'ese molecules is also indicated. )'e capacity o% some a>uaporins to transport solutes &as demonstrated using test molecules suc' as glycerol and urea# and t'e p'ysiological signi%icance o% t'is property is not yet clearly understood (see te$t). lant a>uaporins similar to t'eir animal counterparts are t'oug't to %orm tetramers# eac' monomer being %unctionally independent. )'e putati(e structure o% an a>uaporin monomer &it' si$ tilted membrane.spanning domains is s'o&n. *tudies on t'e structure o% 'uman ARP1 suggest t'at t'e t&o connecting loops t'at contain t'e 'ig'ly conser(ed Asn.Pro.Ala moti%s dip into t'emembrane and

Growth of Sorghum Plant

Sorghum is a member of the grass fami # and origina # a wi d p ant in )fri!a.

The e%o ution of sorghum under the pressures of drought and high temperatures imparted the abi it# to to erate drought* soi to+i!ities* and e+tremes of temperature more effe!ti%e # to !u ti%ated sorghum p ants than other !erea s.

Varieties of sorghums are classified into 4 groups:

grain sorghums grass sorghums or forage Sorghum sweet sorghums and broom!orn. Grain sorghums are grown for the grain - round* star!h# seeds used as human food or !att e feed.

Grass sorghums are grown for green feed 'forage( and ma,ing si age or ha# 'dried fodder(

. Sweet sorghums ha%e sweet -ui!# stems and are grown for ma,ing sorghum s#rup. Sweet sorghums !an a so be used for anima feed or for ma,ing si age.

Broomcorn is grown for the bran!hes of the seed ! uster* whi!h are used to ma,e brooms

Germination: )t optimum temperature '2$ to 300 C( and moisture* the sorghum seed germinates in 3 to $ da#s. .hen sorghum seed is sown in moist soi * the seed swe s due to

moisture absorption. The seed !oat brea,s a sma shoot '!o eopti es( and a primar# root 'radi! e( emerge.

/nitia # the #oung seed ings ta,e nutrients from the endosperm of the seed.

Seedling Development: The shoot '!o eopti es( emerge from the ground and first eaf brea,s through the tip. The meso!ot# e grows during this period and a node is formed at the base of the !o eopti es -ust be ow ground e%e .

Se!ondar# roots begin to grow from this node* 3 to 7 da#s after the p ant emerges from the soi . Seed ings get the nutrients through these roots.

Root system0 The sorghum root s#stem !onsists of 3 t#pes of roots0 "rimar# roots Se!ondar# or )d%entitious roots 1ra!e or 1uttress roots

Primary roots: These roots de%e op from the radi! e and die subsequent #.

Brace or uttress roots These roots de%e op from the first node from the meso!ot# e. These rots o!!up# $ to 1$ !m area in the soi around the base of the stem.

!dventitious roots are sma * uniform* and form a sma portion of the root s#stem. )nother t#pe of permanent ad%entitious roots de%e op from the se!ond internodes and abo%e. These roots are bran!hed atera # 'about 1 sq.m( inter a!ing the soi %erti!a #. These roots main # supp # nutrients to the p ant.

Secondary or !dventitious roots: These roots de%e op from the root primordia of the basa nodes abo%e the ground e%e . The# are stunted* thi!,* and abo%e ground e%e . These roots pro%ide an!horage to the p ant.

Shoot system: Sorghum shoot s#stem !onsists of stem* ea%es* nodes* and internodes during the %egetati%e stage. 2ea%es nodes de%e op 3 of one in 3 to 6 da#s. The p ant remains in %egetati%e stage for 30 to &0 da#s during whi!h a ea%es '12 to 14( are formed.

The stem of sorghum !onsists of man# a ternating nodes and internodes. /t ranges from s ender to %er# strong* 0.$ to $ !m in diameter near the base.

The ength of stem %aries between 0.$ to & m depending on the %ariet#. ) bud is formed at ea!h node. )t time* these buds de%e op ti ers. )bout 6 to 10 da#s before f owering* the boot forms a bu ge in the sheath of the f ag eaf 'uppermost eaf(. This stage is !a ed boot eaf stage. Sorghum usua # f owers $$ to 70 da#s.

The f owering stru!ture 'inf ores!en!e( in sorghum is !a ed as pani! e or head. /n !u ti%ated sorghums* the pani! e starts de%e oping from 30 to &0 da#s after germination.

The tin# pani! e !an be obser%ed b# !arefu # !utting the stem of a 30 t0 &0 da#s p ant.

Two da#s after the emergen!e of the inf ores!en!e from the boot* the f owers begin to open. The f owering !an be obser%ed from the #e ow po en from the anthers on the pani! e 'sorghum head(.

The ma+imum f owering ta,es p a!e on 3rd or &th da#. /t ta,es 6 da#s for the who e inf ores!en!e to !omp ete f owering.

Seed Development: The sorghum seed is !a ed grain. The grain matures in 30 to 3$ da#s after ferti i5ation. Sorghum seeds are spheri!a in shape but some what f at on one side.

The seeds %ar# in !o or - red" rown" white" yellow" or cream and are with a dull or pearly luster#

Physiological maturity: 6a+imum tota dr# weight of the p ant rea!hes at the ph#sio ogi!a maturit#. 7pta,e of nutrients a so most # !ease at this stage. So* if there are prob ems i,e bird damage et!. it is ad%antageous to har%est the !rop at this stage. )s the seed moisture at

Physiological maturity can e determined y the dar$ spot on the seed#

this stage wi be around 2$ to 3$8* proper dr#ing of the seeds is important.

The seed on the eft is ph#sio ogi!a # mature9 the one on the right is not. The !u ti%ated sorghums mature in 100 to 1&0 da#s depending on the %ariet#.

The right time to har%est sorghum is at the ph#sio ogi!a stage of the p ants or when the seed moisture !ontent is be ow 2$8.The subsequent 6odu es in this !ourse dea with the important inse!t pests that atta!, sorghum !rop.

Growth Stages

Stage 0 - Emergence Emergence occurs when the coleoptile is visible at the soil surface, and generally occurs 3 to 10 days after planting. During emergence, growth is dependent upon soil temperature and moisture, planting depth, and seed vigor. Disease organisms are favored by cool, wet conditions and such infestations would result in reduced stands. Therefore, planting should be timed so that germination and early plant growth occur during warm temperatures, and the reproductive phase will occur prior to the hottest part of the growing season. Now is also the time to treat seeds with fungicides and consider future weed control options. hotgun !atra"ine # $,%&D' may be applied from the spi(e stage to ) inch !%&leaf' growth stage and as a directed spray from ) inch to 1$ inch growth stages.

Stage 1 - Three Leaf Stage The three leaf stage occurs when the collars of three leaves can be seen without dissecting the plant. This stage will occur appro*imately 10 days after emergence, with great dependence upon temperature. +t is important that planting date is late enough to ensure that plants can grow rapidly at this stage. low growth and poor weed control during this stage can seriously reduce yields since the plant is small. ,lthough sorghum does not recover as vigorously as corn, much of the leaf area can be removed since the growing point is below the soil surface. -uctril and atra"ine may be applied at this stage up to 1% inch and 1$ inch grain sorghum, respectively. .ar(sman may be applied from the 3 leaf stage until the / leaf stage.

Stage 2 - Five Leaf Stage The five leaf stage occurs when the collars of five leaves can be seen without dissecting the plant and occurs about 3 wee(s after emergence. The root system develops rapidly at this stage. Dry matter accumulates at nearly a constant rate assuming growing conditions are satisfactory. During this stage the potential for the plant to develop is determined. tresses from weed competition, nutrients, water, or insects can dramatically reduce yields if not corrected. .ar(sman should not be applied past this growth stage. Do not apply atra"ine or paramount when grain sorghum is greater than 1$ inches tall.

Stage 3 - Growing Point Differentiation ,t this stage the growing point of the sorghum plant changes from vegetative to reproductive. The total number of leaves have been determined, with potential head si"e following shortly thereafter. Nutrient upta(e is rapid and ade0uate supplies of nutrients and water are necessary to provide ma*imum growth. orghum plants are 0uite competitive helping maintain good weed control over the remainder of the season. This stage occurs appro*imately 30 days after emergence and is about one&third of the time from planting to physiological maturity.

Stage 5 - Boot Stage ,t this stage all leaves have fully e*panded, which provides ma*imum leaf area and light interception. The head is full si"e and is encompassed by the flag&leaf sheath. 1otential head si"e has been determined by this stage. 2apid growth and nutrient upta(e continue. tress from lac( of moisture or via herbicide in3ury may prevent the head from e*erting completely from the flag&leaf sheath preventing complete pollination at flowering. Previou tage!

Stage " - Fina# Leaf $i i%#e in &hor# ,t this point all e*cept the final 3 to % leaves are fully e*panded representing appro*imately )04 of the total leaf area potential. The lower $ to / leaves of the plant have been lost and any reference to leaf number from this stage on should be from the top, counting the flag leaf as leaf number one.

Stage ' - (a#f B#oom

This stage is defined as when half of the plants in a field are in some stage of bloom. 5lowering progresses from the tip of the head downward over a period of % to 6 days. ,t half&bloom nearly half of the total dry wieght of the plant has been attained. This stage usually represents two&thirds of the time between planting and physiological maturity. evere moisture stress can result in poor head filling. 7owever, if environmental conditions are favorable, the sorghum plant can compensate for limitation in plant si"e, leaf area, or plant numbers by increasing both seed number per head as well as seed weight.

Stage ) - Soft Dough

,t this stage the grain has a dough&li(e consistency and grain fill is occurring rapidly. ,ppro*imately half of the seed dry weight is accumulated between tage 8 and tage 9. :ower leaves continue to senesce with ) to 1$ leaves remaining at this stage.

Stage * - Ph+ io#ogica# maturit+

.a*imum total dry weight of the plant has occurred. This stage is determined by the dar( spot seed on the opposite side of the (ernel from the embryo. ;rain moisture at physiological maturity depends on the hybrid, with typical moisture ranging from $/4 to 3/4. 7ybrid and weather conditions affect the time between maturity and the proper harvest time.

Previou

tage!

Stage , - (ar- Dough -y this stage appro*imately three&fourths of the grain dry weight has been attained. Nutrient upta(e at this point is essentially complete. evere moisture stress of an untimely free"e before the grain reaches physiological maturity will result in a light, chaffy grain.

Sorghum Pro-uction in .i

i//i

&hat are the growth tage for grain orghum0

tage 0< Emergence & eedlings emerge from the soil. tage 1< Three&leaf stage !3 leaves completely emerged, collars present'.& 10 days after emergence tage $< 5ive&leaf stage & $0 days after emergence tage 3< ;rowing 1oint Differentiation !head development begins' & 2apid growth and nutrient upta(e begins & 30 days after emergence tage %< 5lag leaf visible & 7ead si"e being determined. %0 days after emergence. tage /< -oot stage !head enclosed insss swollen flag leaf sheath' & evere moisture stress will limit head e*ertion from the flag&leaf sheath, preventing pollination. /0 days after emergence

tage 8< 7alf&bloom & 7ot, dry weather can reduce seed set. 80 days after emergence tage 9< oft dough & ,bout /04 of the grain dry weight has accumulated. 90 days after emergence tage )< 7ard dough & ,bout 9/4 of the grain dry weight has accumulated. )/ days after emergence tage 6< 1hysiological maturity & , dar( spot on the opposite side of the (ernel from the embryo forms !similar to blac( layer in corn'. Dry matter accumulation is complete. 100 days after emergence.