Grain Sorghum
Scientific Name: Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. bicolor
Synonyms: Holcus bicolor L., Holcus sorghum L., Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench var. <i>caffrorum</i> (Retz.) Mohlenbr., Sorghum caffrorum (Retz.) P. Beauv., Sorghum caudatum (Hack.) Stapf, Sorghum cernuum (Ard.) Host, Sorghum dochna (Forssk.) Snowden, Sorghum dochna (Forssk.) Snowden var. <i>technicum</i> (Koern.) Snowden, Sorghum durra (Forssk.) Stapf, Sorghum guineense Stapf, Sorghum nervosum Besser ex Schult., Sorghum saccharatum (L.) Moench, nom. utique rej., Sorghum subglabrescens Schweinf. & Asch., Sorghum vulgare Pers., Sorghum vulgare Pers. var. <i>caffrorum</i> (Retz.) Hubbard & Rehder, Sorghum vulgare Pers. var. <i>durra</i> (Forssk.) Hubbard & Rehder, Sorghum vulgare Pers. var. <i>roxburghii</i> (Stapf) Haines, Sorghum vulgare Pers. var. <i>saccharatum</i> (L.) Boerl., nom. utique rej., Sorghum vulgare Pers. var. <i>technicum</i> (Koern.) Jáv.
Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Sorghum Moench/ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. bicolor
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Usda Symbol | SOBIB |
| Group | Monocot |
| Life Cycle | Annual |
| Growth Habits | Graminoid |
| Native Locations | SOBIB |
Plant Guide
Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Grain Sorghum is planted.
Plant Traits
Growth Requirements
| Temperature, Minimum (°F) | 47 |
|---|---|
| Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils | Yes |
| Adapted to Fine Textured Soils | Yes |
| Adapted to Medium Textured Soils | Yes |
| Anaerobic Tolerance | None |
| CaCO3 Tolerance | Low |
| Cold Stratification Required | No |
| Drought Tolerance | High |
| Fertility Requirement | High |
| Fire Tolerance | Low |
| Frost Free Days, Minimum | 60 |
| Hedge Tolerance | None |
| Moisture Use | Medium |
| pH, Maximum | 7.5 |
| pH, Minimum | 5.5 |
| Precipitation, Maximum | 60 |
| Precipitation, Minimum | 18 |
| Root Depth, Minimum (inches) | 12 |
| Salinity Tolerance | Medium |
| Shade Tolerance | Intolerant |
Morphology/Physiology
| After Harvest Regrowth Rate | Rapid |
|---|---|
| Toxicity | Moderate |
| Shape and Orientation | Erect |
| Nitrogen Fixation | None |
| Resprout Ability | No |
| Active Growth Period | Summer and Fall |
| Bloat | None |
| C:N Ratio | Low |
| Coppice Potential | No |
| Fall Conspicuous | No |
| Fire Resistant | No |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| Flower Conspicuous | No |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Foliage Porosity Summer | Dense |
| Foliage Texture | Coarse |
| Fruit/Seed Color | Brown |
| Fruit/Seed Conspicuous | Yes |
| Growth Form | Bunch |
| Growth Rate | Rapid |
| Height, Mature (feet) | 8.0 |
| Known Allelopath | Yes |
| Leaf Retention | No |
| Low Growing Grass | No |
| Foliage Porosity Winter | Moderate |
Reproduction
| Propagated by Seed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Propagated by Sod | No |
| Propagated by Sprigs | No |
| Propagated by Tubers | No |
| Fruit/Seed Persistence | No |
| Seed per Pound | 24960 |
| Seed Spread Rate | Slow |
| Seedling Vigor | High |
| Small Grain | Yes |
| Vegetative Spread Rate | None |
| Propagated by Corm | No |
| Propagated by Container | No |
| Propagated by Bulb | No |
| Propagated by Bare Root | No |
| Fruit/Seed Period End | Fall |
| Fruit/Seed Period Begin | Summer |
| Fruit/Seed Abundance | High |
| Commercial Availability | Routinely Available |
| Bloom Period | Late Summer |
| Propagated by Cuttings | No |
Suitability/Use
| Veneer Product | No |
|---|---|
| Pulpwood Product | No |
| Protein Potential | High |
| Post Product | No |
| Palatable Human | Yes |
| Palatable Graze Animal | High |
| Palatable Browse Animal | Medium |
| Nursery Stock Product | No |
| Naval Store Product | No |
| Lumber Product | No |
| Fodder Product | Yes |
| Christmas Tree Product | No |
| Berry/Nut/Seed Product | No |
