Sweet sorghum

25.05.2024

Sweet sorghum

Why in the news?   

        Sweet sorghum is a hardy, nutritious, biofuel crop that offers solutions in drought-hit southern Africa because of the El-Nino phenomenon.

About Sweet sorghum:

• It is the most important millet crop occupying the largest area among the cereals next to rice.
• One of the key characteristics of sweet sorghum varieties is their drought resistance. It allows them to enter a dormant state during extended periods of dryness and resume growth afterwards.
• It is used in the food industry and its stalk is used for the production of value-added products like ethanol, syrup and jaggery and bio enriched bagasse as a fodder and as a base material for cogeneration.
• It can produce grains, animal feed and sugary juice, making it unique among crops.
• The grains from sweet sorghum are prepared as steamed bread or porridge malt for traditional beer, as well as in commercial beer production across the continent.

Required climatic conditions

• The crop does not prefer high rainfall as high soil moisture or continuous heavy rain after flowering may hamper sugar increase.
• All soils that have medium depth with good drainage are suited.
• Depending on the soil (red, black, laterite and loamy) and its depth water requirement may vary which in turn decide the suitability of the crop.

Unique features of Sorghum

• It has the ability to withstand low water and nitrogen inputs, as well as its tolerance for salinity and drought stress, makes it an ideal crop for farmers in arid regions.
• Research has shown that, under intense water scarcity conditions, sweet sorghum makes use of its stalk juice to supplement its plant needs.

                                                                     Source: Down to earth

Question :- Consider the following statements regarding the Sweet sorghum:

1.It is the most important millet crop occupying the largest area among the cereals next to rice.

2.It has the ability to withstand high water and nitrogen inputs.

3.It is used in the food industry and its stalk is used for the production of value-added products.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

A)  only one

B)  only two

C)  All three

D) None

Answer B