Sudanese grass (sorghum-Sudanese hybrid): what is it, how is it grown and where is it used
Many people are interested in what it is - Sudanese grass, how it is grown and where the sorghum-Sudanese hybrid is used. This crop is better known as Sorochinsky millet or Sudanese sorghum. It is an annual flowering plant from the bluegrass family. The culture has a high nutritional value and can be used as animal feed. When planting and growing a plant, it is important to follow a number of rules.
What is this
Sudanese sorghum came to Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century. However, the cultivation of this crop on an industrial scale began only after 50 years.
Features of the plant
Sudan grass is an annual crop from the bluegrass family. This plant is characterized by a fibrous root system, which is well developed. It goes deep into the ground by 2.5-3 meters. In the horizontal direction, the roots grow by 75 centimeters. In some cases, aerial or adventitious roots 6-8 centimeters in size are formed from the lower stem nodes.
The plant is characterized by a cylindrical, hairless stem, which is filled with white spongy parenchyma. Its height reaches 80-300 centimeters. The number of internodes on the stem is determined by the growing season. In early varieties, their number is 3-5, in late varieties - 8-12. The lower stem node is the tillering node.
Depending on the overall bushiness, Sudan grass is divided into the following types:
- slightly bushy - the number of shoots on a bush reaches 12;
- medium bushy - there are 12-25 shoots on the bush;
- very bushy - the number of shoots exceeds 25.
Depending on the shape of the bush, Sudan grass is divided into the following varieties:
- upright;
- spreading;
- slightly sprawling;
- recumbent;
- lying.
The most common are varieties that belong to upright and slightly spreading varieties. As a rule, crops with a dense structure are more productive than loose ones.
Sudanese grass is characterized by large leaves, which consist of a sheath and a plate. In this case, the plate is wide-linear. It reaches 45-60 centimeters in length, and 4-4.5 in width. The most developed are the leaves of the middle tier.
The plant has inflorescences in the form of a multi-eared panicle, the length of which reaches 40 centimeters. Spikelets are single-flowered. At the same time, panicles are different - sorghum-shaped, compact, semi-compressed, spreading, drooping. At the ends of the panicles are spikelets.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionThe fruit is a caryopsis, which is densely located in spikelet scales. Unlike sorghum, the top of the grain does not come out. At the same time, 1 panicle brings 4-5 grams of seeds. The weight of 1000 grains is 10-15 grams.Properties
Sudan grass has a number of distinctive properties:
- Heat requirement. This culture is considered very thermophilic and heat-resistant. Germination of seed material begins at a temperature of + 8-10 degrees.In this case, the optimal parameters are + 20-30 degrees. It is important to consider that frosts of -3 degrees are detrimental to young shoots. The stems begin to develop intensively at an average daily temperature above +10 degrees.
- Moisture requirements. Sudan grass is highly drought tolerant. This is due to the powerful development of roots and a long growing season. This enables plants to use the precipitation of the second half of summer. Sorghum absorbs the maximum amount of moisture from the deep layers of the soil. This must be taken into account when placing a plant in crop rotation fields. The crop responds well to irrigation. This procedure significantly increases the yield of green mass and hay. At the same time, excess moisture has a detrimental effect on the plant.
- Requirements for light. Sudanese grass is considered a light-loving short-day crop. With a long daylight hours, it begins to lag behind in its development. At the stage of emergence of sprouts and tillering, the culture normally withstands shading.Therefore, it can be used as a subsowing crop.
- Ground requirements. The plant is considered not too demanding on the composition of the soil. Chernozem and dark chestnut soil are well suited for planting Sudanese grass. Less successful options are sandy, sandy and light chestnut types of soil. The plant normally tolerates a slight acidity. At the same time, it hardly develops in swampy, overconsolidated and saline areas. Also, sorghum should not be planted in areas with high groundwater.
Common varieties
Today there are relatively few varieties of this culture. The most common varieties of sorghum include:
- Brodskaya 2 - this culture was bred at the All-Russian Institute of Meat Animal Husbandry, which is located in the city of Brody. Up to 7 leaves are formed on this bush, which reach 60 centimeters in length and 4 centimeters in width.The plant has a spreading-spreading shape. By the time the fruits ripen, the culture becomes somewhat narrower. Panicle reaches a length of 30 centimeters. The structure of the average bush includes 35 branches. The mass of seeds is 10-12 grams. The variety is resistant to diseases of this species.
- Jubilee 20 - the culture was obtained at the Saratov production facility. It is characterized by average bushiness. The plant is distinguished by a spreading umbrella. Its seeds are in a transparent shell. This hybrid has an early maturity. For the first time, the grass can be mowed as early as 35 days after the appearance of sprouts. She has average endurance.
- Chishminskaya early. This variety was bred at the Bashkir Agricultural Institute. It is characterized by a thin stem, which reaches a length of 1 meter. Culture is considered early ripe. Already 40 days after the appearance of sprouts, sorghum can be mowed. Also, this variety is characterized by an average resistance to disease.
Where it applies
In China and India, this cereal has been eaten for a long time. Porridge is prepared from it, and flour is used for baking cakes. In Russia, sorghum is actively used in agriculture as a feed base for animals. Due to the high content of sugars in the grass, it is possible to achieve significant milk yields and gains.
Sudan grass is considered the most valuable crop for the southern and southeastern regions. In terms of green mass yield, sorghum ranks first among fodder crops. It is important to consider that Sudanese grass is considered especially valuable in heat and drought. Under such conditions, the yield of other cereals drops significantly, while that of sorghum remains at a high level.
In farms with a large number of cattle, Sudanese grass is harvested for hay and haylage. After the second mowing, the aftermath can be used for grazing cows. By this time, the natural pastures are already drying up.
Planting instructions
Planting work should begin after warm weather sets in. In this case, the soil should warm up to + 10-12 degrees. Before planting, seed material must be disinfected. This is done in a solution of potassium permanganate. Then it needs to be dried.
15-30 kilograms of seeds are required per hectare. Planting material needs to be deepened by 3-6 centimeters - it all depends on the density of the soil. Loose soil after sowing must be rolled. This will help to achieve friendly shoots.
Care instructions
In a favorable climate, Sudanese grass sprouts together. After a couple of months, 4-6 leaves appear on the plants. Young cultures have an underdeveloped root system. Because weeds can absorb water and nutrients that are meant for sorghum.
To cope with unwanted vegetation, you need to use special preparations. Quite often, farmers use organic and mineral supplements that are suitable for Sudanese grass. Thanks to this, the plant will begin to develop rapidly and become rooted in the ground.
Grass responds well to the introduction of mineral supplements - primarily nitrogen. They contribute to the growth of green mass and improve the quality characteristics of raw materials. With the help of such fertilizers, it is possible to increase the protein content in the plant.
Possible pests and their control
Sudanese sorghum has a fairly strong immunity. Resistance to diseases and pests is associated with a waxy coating on the stems and foliage, the content of tannins in the grains, and the presence of glucosides and silica in the foliage. However, sometimes the plant still suffers from parasite attacks that can cause significant damage to crops.
Aphid
This pest is most dangerous for young plants at the stage of emergence of 5-6 leaves. Aphid provokes the defeat of the green mass of the plant, which leads to a lag in growth of the culture and even to its death. In addition, the pest is capable of spreading various pathologies.
For preventive purposes, crops need to be treated with Operkot Akro and Zenit. Such funds must be applied twice. This helps to avoid infection. Also, good results can be achieved with the help of such compositions as Bi-58, Sherpa.
Grain Moth
During the ripening of the grains, the moth lays eggs on them. After 2-2.5 months, caterpillars appear, which completely eat the contents of the cereal. To cope with pests, it is worth spraying the seeds with Opercot Acro. In closed warehouses, Phosphine can be used. It is recommended to use the product for 10-15 days. On the field, dealing with grain moths is quite difficult.
Stem corn borer
The caterpillars of this pest consume young foliage, get into the internal fragments of the stems and absorb the juices. As a result, the plant dies and the caterpillars move to the next bush.
To avoid the appearance of pests, it is required to get rid of plant residues in a timely manner, carry out autumn plowing of the soil and adhere to the recommendations for crop rotation. At the same time, chemical methods do not always give results, since the caterpillars hide in the stems. At the stage of the mass appearance of larvae, you can use "Zenith" or "Bi-58" .
Meadow Moth
The caterpillars of these pests pose the greatest danger to sorghum. They absorb foliage and slow down the development of green mass. To cope with the parasites, you need to use the Bi-58 or Rogor-S.
Fusariosis and Alternaria
This culture often suffers from fungi. Their pathogens are in the ground. With increased humidity and damage to the plant shell, pathogens fall on young shoots. This can lead to the death of the culture. To cope with the pathology, the seed must be pickled before planting.
Root and stem rot
These pathologies are caused by bacteria that live in the soil layer. Root rot is dangerous because it provokes severe damage to the roots. As a result, the foliage curls up and dries up. With the development of stem rot, the upper leaves turn red and dry.
To avoid the development of pathologies, it is required to choose varieties and hybrids that are distinguished by stable immunity. Also, for prevention, it is worth dressing the seed material and dealing with pests using available methods.
Hard bunt
In this case, the generative organs of the plant suffer. At the same time, smut swellings are formed on panicles instead of grains. Affected grains resemble elongated gray sacs. To avoid the development of the disease, the seeds must be treated with Vitavax. At the same time, 3-4 kilograms of the substance are used per 1 ton.
Dusty smut
Smut spores are found in soil and seeds. Infection occurs at the stage of the appearance of sprouts, and manifests itself during the emergence of panicles. They just turn into a dusty mass.
To cope with the infection, you need to perform autumn plowing, adhere to crop rotation rules, remove plant residues and treat seeds.
How to harvest
Sudanese sorghum is resistant to shedding. At the same time, it is required to harvest the crop in a short time so that the moisture content of the grains does not increase and additional drying is not required. When planting for silage, harvesting should begin at the stage of wax maturation. It is worth harvesting with the help of mowing with headers into windrows. After that, the grains need to be dried and threshed with combines.
Methods of reproduction
Sudanese grass is propagated by seeds. The culture needs to be planted in a wide-row way. In this case, the interval between rows is 60-70 centimeters. It is recommended to use 12-15 kilograms of grain per 1 hectare.
Sudanese grass is a very common crop, which is characterized by strong immunity and high yields. In Russia, it is most often used as animal feed. For the cultivation of this type of sorghum to be successful, it is necessary to adhere to basic recommendations.
