Improving water management in sorghum cultivation

Description

Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) is a drought tolerant crop that has been grown across the American Great Plains since the early twentieth century, primarily as a feed crop. Sorghum’s deep, fibrous root system provides greater root volume and therefore potential access to a greater soil water volume enabling sorghum to withstand greater periods of water stress if there is ample stored soil water. This chapter examines dryland production of sorghum and sorghum irrigation methods, including deficit irrigation. The chapter also addresses the relationship between soils and irrigation management.

Table of contents

1 Introduction 2 Dryland production 3 Irrigation 4 Deficit irrigation 5 Soils and irrigation management 6 Conclusion 7 Where to look for further information 8 References