Introduction to Major Field Crops

Climatic Requirement

Sorghum requires warm climate but can be grown under a wide range of conditions.It can tolerate drought conditions very well because it remains dormant during moisture stress conditions but resumes growth when favourable conditions reappear. Leaves possess waxy coating and presence of motor cells in leaves rolls the leaves under moisture deficit conditions. It has a high resistance to desiccation, low transpiration ratio and a large number of fibrous roots.

Sorghum can also tolerate water logging conditions better than any other cereal except rice. Therefore, sorghum can be grown successfully in areas having an average annual rainfall between 600 and 1,000 mm.High rainfall at heading reduces pollination and gives poor yield, though crop is tolerant to water logging. Sorghum is grown both in kharif and in rabi. Minimum temperature required for germination is 7-10°C, germination does not take place if temperature is less than 7°C.Optimum temperature for growth is 25-30°C. Sorghum plants can tolerate high temperatures throughout their life cycle better than any other cereal crop. Crop is sensitive to low temperature. Temperature below 15°C affects crop growth adversely. It is a short day plant.