Dual-purpose high-yielding sorghum

By Our Agriculture Correspondent

FOR THE rainfed sorghum farmers of Andhra Pradesh a tall, non- lodging sorghum rainfed with high grain and fodder yield of excellent quality has come in as a boon.

The improved sorghum variety developed by the millet breeders at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Palem, has been well received by the farmers because of its good grain quality, grain mould tolerance and easy threshability.

The new variety was recently released for commercial cultivation by the farmers of the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University as CSV 16. Developed by the RARS scientists through hybridization followed by pedigree method of selection, the new variety has a tan plant type growing to a height of 23-250 cm. It has recorded an average grain yield of 3.1 tonnes and a dry fodder yield of 14 tonnes per hectare in tonnes days, according to the scientists.

Highly tolerant to leaf spots and grain moulds than the ruling CSV 13, CSV 15 and SPV 462, the new variety is non-lodging, and it produces well-exerted and semi-compact panicle, pearly-white medium bold seed with small and straw-coloured glume having easy threshability.

Its grain and fodder yields are higher and of better quality than those of CSV 13 and SPV 462. It is taller than CSV 15 with big- sized earheads. This variety can be grown as rainfed kharif sorghum all over the country, according to the scientists.

A seed rate of 8-10 kg is required to cover a hectare.All the other cultural practices are the same as for other sorghum varieties. This new variety responds well to high doses of nutrition.

Application of liberal quantities of organic amendments, along with 80 kg nitrogen and 40 kg phosphorus will prove to be rewarding while raising this crop. It had field tolerance to shoot-fly and stem borer attacks when compared with existing high yielding varieties of sorghum, according to the scientists.

The improved kharif sorghum variety is well suited to early June sowing, and it can be sown as late as last week of July. The crop reaches 50 per cent flowering stage in 72 days, and it will be ready for harvest in 110 days. The variety grows well in a variety of soils and it is found to excel in loamy soils endowed with adequate drainage. Since it is resistant to many pests and diseases, the cost of cultivation of the variety will be far lower than raising other varieties.

Since it is a variety, farmers need not worry about buying fresh seeds season after season. They can save their own grains as seeds. However, pure seed crop raised in rabi and summer will prove to be of great value. The normal seed production practices may be adopted to raise the seed crop for the next kharif. Seeds developed in rabi and summer seasons will be of good quality and will have higher percentage of germination.

The grain quality of the new sorghum is found to be good, and it is preferred by the farmers. The roti making quality of the flour is excellent and it is liked by the consumers.

The straw yield and quality are the other factors that make this variety more attractive to the growers. The straw is relished by cattle, and it contributes significantly to relieve the fodder scarcity in the dry sorghum belts in the country.

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Section  : Science & Tech
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