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Best Farming Practices : Sorghum

Optimal Growing Conditions

Temperature: Best growth at temperatures above 10°C.

 

Soil Requirements: Thrives in sandy loam soils with good drainage and organic matter.

 

pH Levels: Should not drop below 4.5 on sandy soils and 4.7 on clay soils.

Early weeding is crucial for high yields.

 

Herbicides: Use low-dose “Atrazine” pre-emergence application.

 

Bird Protection: Brown-seeded varieties like ZSV 36R deter bird attacks.

 

Common Pests: Shootfly, armoured crickets, and stem borers require timely

intervention with insecticides.

Weed & Pest Control

Timing: First to third week of December (low rainfall areas); up to mid-January (high

rainfall areas).

 

Seed Rate: 7-10 kg/ha for grain; 15-20 kg/ha for forage.

 

Spacing: 60-90 cm between rows, 15-30 cm within rows.

 

Fertilization: 200 kg/ha basal (‘D’ compound) + 100 kg/ha top dressing (urea).

Planting

Maturity Indicator: Grains turn from green to black at the attachment point.

Harvest Methods: Manual harvesting for small plots; combine harvesters for large-

scale production.

 

Storage: Store in well-ventilated granaries to prevent pest infestations.

Harvesting & Storage

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Sorghum : The Resilient Grain for every Farmer

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a staple cereal crop, perfectly suited for Zambia’s diverse climates. Whether you're farming in low or high rainfall regions, Zamseed offers premium sorghum varieties designed to thrive under tough conditions. With its deep root system,  wax-coated leaves, and drought-resistant properties, sorghum remains the go-to crop for farmers facing erratic rainfall.

Why Choose Sorghum?

  • Drought Resilient: Withstands harsh conditions better than maize.

  • Versatile Uses: Ideal for food, brewing, and forage.

  • High-Yielding Varieties: Open-pollinated and hybrid options available for maximum productivity.

  • Disease and Pest Resistance: Improved varieties reduce losses from common sorghum threats.

Sorghum Varieties

Zamseed provides farmers with premium-quality, high-yielding sorghum seeds suited to

Zambia’s unique agricultural needs. Whether you need grain for food, forage for livestock,

or brewing sorghum, we have the right variety for you.

MMSH-1365

Short red-seeded hybrid with bird resistance and stay-green trait.

Resistant to common diseases like downy mildew and leaf blight.

Height: 130-140 cm

Maturity: 100-115 days

Yield: 4-6 tons/ha.

MMSH-1324

Early maturing hybrid with superior grain quality and high yield.

Excellent resistance to most diseases except anthracnose.

Height: Medium

Maturity: Early

Yield: 3-6 tons/ha.

MMSH-413

Brown grain hybrid with higher tannin content and excellent malting properties.

Disease-resistant and high-yielding, ideal for Zambia and neighboring countries.

Height: 210-240 cm

Maturity: 110-116 days

Yield: 5-10 tons/ha.

MMSH-375

High-yielding brown grain hybrid with good disease resistance.

Widely adapted across Zambia and the region.

Height: 210-240 cm

Maturity: 110-120 days

Yield: 4-8 tons/ha.

ZSV 36R

Red grain variety ideal for food and brewing, with minimal bird damage.

Best suited for low rainfall areas.

Height: 130-170 cm

Maturity: 110-120 days

Yield: 2-5 tons/ha.

ZSV 17

Short, semi-compact white grain variety with a cylindrical panicle.

Retains green leaves after maturity, enhancing resistance to diseases.

Height: 100-140 cm

Maturity: 112-118 days

Yield: 4-5 tons/ha.

ZSV 16

Open-pollinated, stay-green variety with juicy stems.

Resistant to lodging, termites, and grain moulds.

Height: 140-200 cm

Maturity: 115-120 days

Yield: 5-6 tons/ha.

ZSV 15

Widely adapted, high-quality white grain variety with disease resistance.

An improved alternative to Kuyuma for drier regions.

Height: 140-160 cm

Maturity: 100-112 days

Yield: 3-5 tons/ha.

Sima

Dual-purpose variety for grain and forage with juicy, sweet stalks.

Adapted to all three agro-climatic zones of Zambia.

Height: 210-230 cm

Maturity: 110-120 days

Yield: 3-6 tons/ha.

Kuyuma

Early maturing white grain variety with excellent milling properties.

Best suited for low rainfall regions.

Height: 140-170 cm

Maturity: 100-115 days

Yield: 3-5 tons/ha.

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