Dual-purpose sorghum: High yielding hybrid

By Our Agriculture Correspondent

A DUAL - purpose sorghum (cholam) hybrid has been developed by the scientists at the Millet Breeding Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore.

It has recently been released for commercial cultivation as ``CO (S) 28'' by TNAU.A hybrid derivative of the cross between CO 25 and SPV 942, the new sorghum has high grain and fodder yield. Maturing in 100 to 105 days it can be grown in all the seasons all through the State.

It is moderately resistant to grain mould, and it yields white grains of acceptable quality.

The grains are borne on medium cylindrical, semi-compact ear heads, and they contain more protein than Co 26, according to the scientists.

As a rainfed crop, it has recorded a mean grain yield of 2493 kg per hectare, and the irrigated crop has recorded a mean yield of 2864 kg per hectare.

The dry fodder yield of the rainfed crop was 17, 700 kg per hectare, while that of the irrigated crop was 12, 660 kg per hectare.

It possesses a tan plant type growing to a height of 220 to 240 cm and the plants remain green at maturity and it is non-lodging.

It has been tested at All India level, and also in multi- locations within the State. It has done exceedingly well in all the trials and also in the adaptive trials. It has been found to be ideally suited for cultivation under rainfed condition during July-August and October-November seasons, and as irrigated crop in February- March season.

A seed rate of 10 kg will be required to cover a hectare at an espacement of 45 cm by 15 cm. The seeds should be adequately treated to get rid of the seed-borne pathogens.

The hybrid derivative responds well to liberal application of organic amendments and to the application of biofertilizers. About 25 tonnes of ripe farmyard manure should be applied per hectare, and 2 kg Azospirillum should be applied at the time of sowing.

A nutrient dose of 45 kg each of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash is recommended per hectare as basal dressing.

The nutrient schedule should be modified based on soil test results. The remaining 45 kg of nitrogen should be applied on the 30 th day after sowing as top dressing.

The crop should be thinned and weeded on the 20th day of sowing. Irrigation should follow at weekly intervals.

The crop should be protected against shootfly by spraying with botanical insecticides and setting up of fish meal traps to attract the shootfly adults.Stem borer can be managed by need- based application of safer botanical insecticides. Grain midge, earhead bug and earhead caterpillar can also be managed by following some eco-friendly plant protection measures.

The diseases such as rust, sugary disease, head mould and downy mildew should be managed to get good yields from this hybrid derivative, according to the scientists.

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