Sorghum also called as Great Millet or Indian Millet.

Sorghum is grown in the kharif (rainy season) and rabi (post rainy season) but the share of kharif is higher both in terms of area under cultivation and production.

Sorghum is ideally suited for semi-arid agro-climatic regions of the country.

India is the second largest producer of Sorghum in the world, though the yield of 840 kg per hectare is the lowest amongst the major Sorghum-producing countries in the world.

The world average is 1435 kg per hectare.

In India Sorghum is grown in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu for grains.

In Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Delhi Sorghum is grown mostly for forage.

• Kingdom - Plantae
• Phylum – Magnoliophyta
• Class – Liliopsida
• Order – Cyperales
• Family – Poaceae
• Genus – Sorghum
• Species - bicolor

• Sorghum grains and Ear-heads are most economically important part of the crop which are used as food.
• Dry stalks with leaves are used to feed the livestock.
• Broomcorn of sorghum is used for making brooms and brushes.

Moderately warm and dry climate is required for the growth of sorghum.

Optimum temperature requirement is between 15˚ C and 30˚ C.

Rainfall requirement is 600 to 750 mm/year.

Jowar can be grown on wide range of soils from light to heavy.

Well drained clayey loam soils are ideal for irrigated rabi Jowar.

It can tolerate medium acidic or saline soils to some extent.

Rabi Jowar is sown from 15th September to 15th October.

Optimum sowing time for un-irrigated rabi jowar is second fortnight of September if there is sufficient moisture in soil for good germination and growth.

• The major challenges involve Biotic and Abiotic causes
• Biotic Causes:
  • Major pests: Jowar Shoot Fly, Stem Borer, Aphids, Sorghum Midge, Stinkbugs.
  • Major Diseases: Grain Smut, Loose Smut, Downy Mildew and Charcoal Rot.
• Abiotic Causes:
  • Chlorosis
  • Leaf Curling
  • Purple and red lesion
  • Stunted growth.