The Latest Sweet Sorghum Planting Techniques and Methods Tutorial

Sweet sorghum, commonly known as sweet cane, is an edible plant with a sweet, juicy taste. Many rural friends probably ate it often as children; it is somewhat similar to sugarcane. So do you know how it is grown? Come and learn about it with the editor.

1. Sowing and Raising Seedlings

Sweet sorghum likes warmth and has traits such as drought resistance, waterlogging tolerance, and saline-alkali tolerance. It can be grown in most parts of the world. It does not have strict requirements for the growing environment and has extremely strong adaptability to soil. Therefore, there is no need to choose any particular plot for planting. Before sowing, soak the seeds in clean water for one day, then remove them and dry them, which can increase the seed germination rate. Its germination rate is relatively low, and the general sowing rate is about 1.5 kg per mu. Its root stem is relatively short and its ability to push through the soil is relatively weak, so a sowing depth of 2-3 cm is suitable. Thin the seedlings at the 2-3 leaf stage, and finalize the seedlings at the 4-6 leaf stage. When finalizing the seedlings, remove tillers to encourage strong single plants. In addition, it has strong tillering ability. If the tillers are not removed early, the main stem and tillers will grow together and consume too many nutrients, which will not only prolong the growth period of the main stem but also cause adverse consequences such as the main stem becoming thin and soft and late maturity. Therefore, the tillers should be removed in time.

2. Intertillage and Earthing Up

Carry out the first intertillage when the seedlings are at the 2-3 leaf stage, which can eliminate weeds and prevent drought while preserving soil moisture; at the -6 leaf stage, carry out the second intertillage together with finalizing the seedlings, with a depth of about 10 cm; the third intertillage is done 10-15 days after the second intertillage when water is applied. When the plant grows to about 70 cm, soil can be earthed up to close the rows, banking the soil between the rows at the base of the sweet sorghum to promote the growth of prop roots.

3. Fertilizer and Water Management

Apply sufficient base fertilizer before planting. During the growing period, apply appropriate topdressing according to growth conditions to help sugar accumulation. In the middle and late stages of sweet sorghum growth, do not apply excessive nitrogen fertilizer, so as to avoid the plants remaining green and maturing late, which would affect sugar accumulation. At the stem elongation stage, apply topdressing together with the third intertillage, applying 10-15 kg of urea per mu. When fertilizing, do not apply the fertilizer on the soil surface. Sweet sorghum needs less water at both ends and more in the middle throughout its life. Generally, it needs watering 3-4 times during the whole growth period: the first time at the stem elongation stage, together with topdressing; the second time half a month after the first watering, during the heading and flowering stage; the third time is generally during the grain-filling stage. In the later stage, pay attention to low temperatures in time, and watch for weather changes to avoid lodging.

4. Pest Control

Sweet sorghum has relatively strong disease resistance, and diseases generally do not occur during planting, but its insect resistance is relatively weak. In addition, because its sugar content is relatively high, it is extremely susceptible to damage by stem borers and aphids, so early control is required. Aphids can be controlled by spraying deltamethrin, but pay attention to the pesticide concentration to avoid phytotoxicity. Stem borers can be controlled by scattering several granules of carbofuran in the heart leaves.

The above is an introduction to sweet sorghum planting techniques. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please keep following us.