Venichne sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is an annual herbaceous plant cultivated primarily for producing panicles used in making brooms and other household items. The plants are low-growing, reaching heights of 155 to 180 cm, with a weakly bushy form. The stem is strong, upright, resistant to lodging, with 10-11 above-ground nodes. The leaves are lanceolate, 60-65 cm long and 7-8 cm wide, with a distinctive white central vein. The panicle is cylindrical, loose, straw-colored, 40-42 cm long, with a stalk 15-20 cm long and 1.0-1.2 cm thick. The panicle branches are moderately thin, 1.0-1.5 mm in diameter, elastic and resilient, ensuring high-quality finished products.
Venichne sorghum is a warm- and sun-loving crop with high drought resistance and demanding soil requirements. Sowing is conducted in spring at soil temperatures of 10-12°C. The plant features a powerful root system penetrating to a depth of 2-2.5 meters, contributing to its resilience under adverse conditions. The variety is early-maturing, ripening in 100-105 days, allowing for quick harvest. Additionally, the crop is resistant to diseases and pests during seed germination and is cold-tolerant, expanding its cultivation possibilities.
In addition to using panicles for broom and brush manufacturing, the seeds of venichne sorghum are light-brown, elongated-oval, and membranous, easily threshed. They are used for animal and poultry feed, as well as for producing grit and flour. Thus, venichne sorghum is an important technical crop with a wide range of applications, combining high yield, resilience to adverse conditions, and product quality.
