Sudan Grass: Characteristics, Planting Tips and Forage Value

Sudan grass is an annual herbaceous plant in the grass family (Poaceae) and the genus Sorghum, native to the Sudan region of Africa, from which it takes its name. It has a tall plant form and strong tillering ability, with broad, long leaves, and is one of the high-quality forage grasses widely cultivated around the world; it is also grown in many warm regions of our country.

This forage grass prefers a warm climate and has fairly strong drought and heat tolerance, but it is not frost-tolerant. Its soil requirements are not particularly strict, and it grows better in well-drained, fertile soil. Its outstanding advantage lies in its strong regrowth ability: after cutting, it quickly sprouts new shoots, and it can be harvested multiple times within a year, providing a long supply period of fresh grass.

For planting Sudan grass, sowing is generally done in late spring after the soil temperature has risen. Drilling in rows makes field management easier. During the growing period, maintaining water and nutrient supply allows the plants to grow very rapidly. As a forage grass, its stems and leaves are tender and highly palatable, and cattle, sheep, fish and others readily feed on it. It can be fed fresh or made into hay or silage.

It should be noted that seedlings of Sudan grass, or plants affected by drought or frost, contain cyanogenic glycosides and may produce hydrocyanic acid; directly grazing young, tender plants carries a certain risk. It is generally safer to wait until the plants have grown tall enough before cutting or grazing, and after being made into silage, this type of risk is also significantly reduced.