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Jowar Information

SORGHUM CULTIVATION MANUAL

1. Soil Type

Planng Instrucons for Bollgard II & Bollworm Management

Sorghum performs best in medium and deep black cotton soils, which offer excellent moisture retention and help sustain the crop during mid-season droughts. These soils
support strong root penetration and stable anchorage, crucial for tall sorghum varieties. Light red soils are also suitable when supported by timely irrigation and adequate
fertility, as they warm up quickly and promote early root establishment. Avoid highly alkaline or saline soils because sorghum’s germination and seedling growth are sensitive
to high pH and salt buildup.

2. Sowing Time (Agro-climatic Suitability)

  • Kharif (June–July): Ideal due to abundant monsoon moisture; timely sowing reduces shoot fly damage.
  • Rabi (Oct–Nov): Suitable in deep black soils with residual moisture; requires short-duration, drought-tolerant hybrids.
Supplementary insecticide sprays may be needed to manage bollworms if their population reaches or exceeds ETL. To know if bollworms have reached ETL, scout Bollgard II fields weekly as follows:

3. Seed Rate

Use 3 kg/acre of bold, high-vigour seed. This ensures optimum plant population and
uniform stand establishment for maximizing tiller expression and grain yield.

4. Spacing

Maintain 45 × 15 cm spacing to achieve the desired plant population and adequate light interception. This spacing optimizes tillering, reduces lodging risk, and minimizes intra-row competition for nutrients and moisture.

5. Land Preparation

Prepare the field by performing one deep ploughing to break soil hardpan and improve aeration, followed by two harrowings to refine tilth and facilitate good seed–soil contact. A fine, clod-free seedbed enhances uniform germination, reduces early weed pressure, and supports strong root establishment.

6. Manures and Fertilizers

Organic Manure

Incorporate 5–6 tons of well-decomposed FYM per acre during land preparation. This improves soil organic carbon, enhances microbial activity, and increases nutrientuse
efficiency. 

Fertilizer Dose

Supplementary insecticide sprays may be needed to manage bollworms if their population reaches or exceeds ETL. To know if bollworms have reached ETL, scout Bollgard II fields weekly as follows:

  • Basal dose: Apply 16:16:16 kg/acre at final harrowing.
  • Form 45 cm ridges and place seed at 3–4 cm depth to ensure uniform emergence.
  • Top dressing: Apply remaining 16 kg Nitrogen at 30 DAS, coinciding with active tillering and early panicle initiation.
Technical Notes
  • Nitrogen enhances leaf area and grain number.
  • Phosphorus promotes strong root development.
  • Potassium improves stem strength, drought tolerance, and stalk health.
  • Always follow soil test & SAU recommendations for site-specific nutrition. 7. Interculture

7. Interculture & Weed Management

  • Apply pre-emergence Atrazine or Propazine @ 0.5 kg/ha within 48 hours of sowing to suppress early germinating weeds.
  • Follow with two hoeings (15–20 DAS and 30–35 DAS) to break soil crust and promote aeration.
  • One or two manual weedings help remove broadleaf weeds that escape herbicides.
Early weed control during the first 30–40 days is critical, as sorghum is highly sensitive to weed competition in early growth stages.

8. Plant Protection

General IPM Note

Timely sowing with first monsoon rains reduces shoot fly incidence. Sorghum benefits greatly from good field sanitation, crop rotation, and balanced fertilization.

Major Pests

Shoot Fly

  • Spray Emamectin Benzoate 5% SG @ 1 g/L or Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC @ 0.2 ml/L at 15–20 DAS.
  • Early sowing (1st week of June) is the most e􀆯ective cultural control.

Stem Borer

  • Not severe in most areas but can flare up under moisture stress.
  • Apply Carbofuran 3G @ 3–5 kg/acre in the whorls or spray Emamectin Benzoate 1 g/L or Chlorantraniliprole 0.2 ml/L.

Aphids

  • Apply Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 1 ml/L for fast knockdown and residual control.
  • Avoid excessive Nitrogen, which promotes aphid multiplication.

Major Diseases

  • Spray Mancozeb 75 WP @ 2 g/L or Metalaxyl @ 2 g/L at 7-day intervals (two sprays).
  • Apply first spray 40 DAS or immediately after symptoms appear. Proper field hygiene and crop rotation reduce inoculum buildup.
  • Apply adequate FYM.
  • Spray Nitrophoska-Foliar @ 3 g/L at vegetative stage and Nitrophoska-Foliar @ 3 g/L + Planofix @ 0.3 ml/L at flowering.

9. Harvesting

  • Harvest when grains turn yellow and hard, indicating physiological maturity and maximum dry weight accumulation.
  • Timely harvest prevents bird damage, grain shattering, and reduces fungal contamination.

10. Note

Farmers should consult KVKs, State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), or Agriculture Department experts for region-specific recommendations. High yields are achieved under proper agronomic management, timely protection measures, and favourable climate.
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