Sorghum is an annual grass (family Poaceae) grown primarily for its panicles used in making brooms, brushes, and other household items. It has a powerful root system penetrating 2–3 m deep, providing drought resistance and moisture uptake even with limited rainfall. The stem is upright, 0.5–3 m tall, with linear-lanceolate leaves up to 60 cm long and 5 cm wide, arranged alternately. The inflorescence is a panicle up to 50–90 cm long, containing numerous spikelets with small bisexual flowers. The fruit is a small, round or oval grain, varying in color from white and yellow to brown.
This sorghum variety is heat-loving: optimal growth temperature is 25–30 °C, but it develops well at soil temperatures from +10 °C. It is light-loving, requires fertile, well-drained soils, yet is not strict about soil type and can grow in moderately saline conditions. Sowing is done in spring when soil temperature reaches 10–12 °C; after sowing, soil loosening, weeding, and fertilization are required.
Sorghum has wide applications: grain is used as feed for livestock and poultry, as well as in food processing (production of groats and flour). Panicles are widely used in agriculture and household sectors – for making brooms, brushes, baskets, and other items. The crop differs in high yield: under optimal conditions, up to 120 c/ha of grain and 900 c/ha of silage can be obtained. Additionally, sorghum contains high levels of protein (≈11 %), fats (up to 4.5 %), and carbohydrates (≈79 %), making it a valuable source of nutrients.
For successful cultivation, it is recommended to use resistant varieties, conduct pre-sowing seed treatment with a fungicide, and apply fertilizers according to agronomic recommendations. Varietal options include early hybrids (e.g., 341×120), silage types (400×82), and universal types (366×73). Due to its adaptability and multifunctionality, sorghum remains an important technical crop in agriculture.
