Crops Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

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Common Name	SORGHUM
Latin binomial	Sorghum bicolor
Plant family	Poaceae
Names in other languages	sorgho (F), hierse/sorghum (D), sorgo (E)

Sorghum is grown in many parts of the world for a variety of purposes. Original domestication was probably in North-eastern parts of Africa, but types selected for different purposes are cultivated widely in tropical and subtropical areas. Culture is for four main purposes: for grain, forage production, sugar yield, and fibre (including broomcorn, with stiff stems and heads for brooms). While some relatively small areas have been grown for grain production in Southern areas of Europe for some time, there has been recent interest in growing the sweet sorghums in Europe; the sugar syrups obtained from the stems could form the basis of fermentation processes for methane or ethanol production. Similarly, fibre varieties might become an alternative source of cellulose for the pulp and paper industries, while it is possible that some of the forage types may prove suitable for biomass production. Some experimental work has been conducted in suitable areas of Europe during recent years to assess potential productivity and agronomic requirements.

This entry forms part of the publication Crops for Industry and Energy in Europe

References:

Chisholm, C J (Ed) (1994) Towards a UK Research Strategy For Alternative Crops. Silsoe: Silsoe Research Institute.

Grassi, G, Moncada, P & Zibetta, H (1992) Promising Industrial Energy Crop: Sweet Sorghum. Recent developments in Europe. Report EUR-14684. Luxembourg: Commission of the European Communities.

Hall, D O & Overend, R P (Eds) (1987) Biomass: Regenerable Energy. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

Kirby, R H (1963) Vegetable Fibres: Botany Cultivation and Utilisation. London: Leonard Hill.

Langer, R H M & Hill, G D (1991) Agricultural Plants (2nd Edn) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Sauer, J D (1994) Historical Geography of Crop Plants: a Select Roster. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

Van Broock, R (1990) Agronomical Trials on Sweet Sorghum. Report EUR-12949-EN. Luxembourg; Commission of the European Communities.

Zohary, D & Hopf M (1988) Domestication of Plants in the Old World. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

Relevant EC funded projects:
AIR-8007
AIR-0041
AIR-0071
AIR-0126
AIR-0985
AIR-1272
FAIR-0069
FAIR-0191
FAIR-0512
FAIR-1913
EXTERN JOULE II