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Encyclopedia > Commercial sorghum

Commercial sorghum refers to the cultivation and commercial exploitation of species of grasses within the genus Sorghum. These plants are utilised for grain, fibre and fodder. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide. Commercial Sorghum Species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia with one species native to Mexico. Species About 30 species, see text Sorghum is a genus of about 30 species of grasses raised for grain, native to tropical and subtropical regions of Eastern Africa, with one species native to Mexico. ... Fodder growing from barley In agriculture, fodder or animal feed is any foodstuff that is used specifically to feed livestock, such as cattle, sheep, chickens and pigs. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... World map showing the location of Asia. ...


Other names include

  • Durra, Egyptian Millet, Feterita, Guinea Corn, Jowar, Juwar, Milo, Shallu, Sudan Grass, JoLa (Kannada name), Jonnalu (Telugu name), and Gaoliang (zh:高粱).

Contents

Origin

The latest wild relatives of commercial sorghum are currently confined to Africa south of the Sahara — although Zohary and Hopf add "perhaps" Yemen — indicating that its domestication took place there. However, note Zohary and Hopf, "the archaeological exploration of sub-saharan Africa is yet in its early stages, and we still lack critical information for determining where and when sorghum could have been taken into cultivation."[1] Although rich finds of S. bicolor have been recovered from Qasr Ibrim in Egyptian Nubia, the wild examples have been dated to circa 800–600 BCE and the domesticated ones no earlier than CE 100. The earliest archeological evidence comes from sites dated to the second millennium BC in India and Pakistan — where S. bicolor is not native. These incongruous finds have been interpreted, according again to Zohary and Hopf, Qasr Ibrim is an archeological site in Lower Nubia. ... Nubia is the region in the south of Egypt, along the Nile and in northern Sudan. ... (3rd millennium BC – 2nd millennium BC – 1st millennium BC – other millennia) Events Second dynasty of Babylon First Bantu migrations from west Africa The Cushites drive the original inhabitants from Ethiopia, and establish trade relations with Egypt. ...

as indicating: (i) an even earlier domestication in Africa, and (ii) an early migration of domestic sorghum, from East Africa into the Indian subcontinent. This interpretation got further support from the fact that several other African grain crops, namely: pearl millet Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br., cow pea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., and hyacinth bean Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet show similar patterns. Their wild progenitors are restricted to Africa.[2]

Despite the antiquity of sorghum, it arrived late to the Near East. It was unknown in the Mediterranean area into Roman times. Binomial name Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. ... Binomial name Lablab purpureus L. Sweet Hyacinth bean or Lablab (Lablab purpureus) is a cultivated species from the family Fabaceae. ... Motto Senatus Populusque Romanus (SPQR) The Roman Empire at its greatest extent, c. ...


Sorghum is well adapted to growth in hot, arid or semi-arid areas. The many subspecies are divided into four groups — grain sorghums (such as milo), grass sorghums (for pasture and hay), sweet sorghums (formerly called "Guinea corn", used to produce sorghum syrups), and broom corn (for brooms and brushes). The name "sweet sorghum" is used to identify varieties of S. bicolor that are sweet and juicy. A jar of sweet sorghum Madhura sweet sorghum syrup sold in India Sweet sorghum is any of the many varieties of sorghum, a cane-like plant with a high sugar content. ... A jar of sweet sorghum Image:Madhura syrup. ...


Cultivation and uses

Sorghum is used for food, fodder, and the production of alcoholic beverages. It is drought tolerant and heat tolerant and is especially important in arid regions. It is an important food crop in Africa, Central America, and South Asia, and is the "fifth most important cereal crop grown in the world" [1]. African slaves introduced sorghum into the U.S. in the early 17th century.
Fodder growing from barley In agriculture, fodder or animal feed is any foodstuff that is used specifically to feed livestock, such as cattle, sheep, chickens and pigs. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... A xerophyte describes a plant that has structural (xeromorphic) and physiological adaptations which enable them to survive, or even thrive, in areas with very little free moisture. ... An arid environment has a high precipitation deficit, receiving much less precipitation annually than would satisfy the climatological demand for evaporation and transpiration. ... Farming, ploughing rice paddy, in Indonesia Agriculture is the process of producing food, feed, fiber and other desired products by cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock). ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... Map of Central America Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. ... This article is about the geopolitical region in Asia. ... This article is about cereals in general. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... Slave redirects here. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from...

Top Sorghum Producers — 2005
 United States 9.8 Mt
 India 8.0 Mt
 Nigeria 8.0 Mt
 Mexico 6.3 Mt
 Sudan 4.2 Mt
 Argentina 2.9 Mt
 China 2.6 Mt
 Ethiopia 1.8 Mt
 Australia 1.7 Mt
 Brazil 1.5 Mt
World Total 58.6 Mt
Source:
UN Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
[2]

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_India. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Nigeria. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Mexico. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Sudan. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Argentina. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ethiopia. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Brazil. ... FAO emblem With its headquarters in Rome, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that works to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living; to improve the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of food and agricultural products; to promote rural development; and...

Use as fodder

The FAO reports that 440,000 square kilometres were devoted worldwide to sorghum production in 2004. In the US, sorghum grain is used primarily as a maize substitute for livestock feed because their nutritional values are very similar. Some hybrids commonly grown for feed have been developed to deter birds, and therefore contain a high concentration of tannins and phenolic compounds, which causes the need for additional processing to allow the grain to be digested by cattle. Possible meanings: Faro Airport (Portugal) Federation of Astrobiology Organizations Financial Aid Office Food and Agriculture Organization This page expands a three-character combination which might be any or all of: an abbreviation, an acronym, an initialism, a word in English, or a word in another language. ... “Corn” redirects here. ...


Culinary use

In arid, less developed regions of the world sorghum is an important food crop especially for subsistence farmers. It is used to make such foods as couscous, sorghum flour, porridge and molasses. Couscous with vegetables and chickpeas Couscous (IPA - Berber Seksu - Arabic: ‎ [1]) is a food of the Maghreb of Berber origin. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Molasses or treacle is a thick syrup by-product from the processing of the sugarcane or sugar beet into sugar. ...


Bhakri (Jolada Rotti in Northern Karnataka), a variety of unleavened bread made from sorghum, is the staple diet in many parts of India such as Maharashtra state and northern Karnataka state. Bhakri is also sometimes made out of pearl millet ("Bajari" in Marathi) flour. In eastern karnataka and Rayalaseema area of Andhra pradesh roti (Jonna rotte) made with Sorghum is the staple food. Bhakri is a Flat unleavened Indian roti made with Jowar and flour. ... Jolada rotti ( in Kannada) is a specialty North Karnataka unleavened Indian bread made out of jowar. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ... Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Maharashtra   (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , English: , IPA: ) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... Karnātakā   (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: ) is one of the four southern states of India. ... Binomial name Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. ... Pearl millet in the field Ripe head of proso millet For other uses, see Millet (disambiguation). ... Marathi is one of the widely spoken languages of India, and has a long literary history. ... the region marked in green Rayalaseema is an unofficial region of Indias Andhra Pradesh state. ... Andhra Pradesh  : (Telugu: ఆంధ్ర ప్రదేశ్, Urdu: آندھرا پردیش, IPA: ), is a state in South India. ... Phulka Preparation of Roti with sorghum flour. ...


In South Africa, sorghum meal is often eaten as a stiff porridge much like pap. It is called mabele in Northern Sotho and brown porridge in English. The porridge can be served with maswi - soured milk - or merogo - a mixture of boiled greens (much like collard greens or spinach).


In the cuisine of the Southern United States, sorghum syrup is used as a sweet condiment, usually for biscuits, corn bread, pancakes, hot cereals or baked beans. It was used as the unavailable maple syrup is used in the North, although it is uncommon today. // The cuisine of the Southern United States has influences from the traditions of the various groups that have inhabited the area. ... A jar of sweet sorghum Image:Madhura syrup. ... Salt, sugar and pepper are the most essential condiments in Western cuisine. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...


Alcoholic beverages

In China, sorghum is the most important ingredient for the production of distilled beverages such as Maotai and kaoliang, as seen in the 1987 film Red Sorghum. Baijiu (Chinese: 白酒; pinyin: ) or Shaojiu is potent Chinese alcohol. ... Maotai (Chinese: 茅台酒; pinyin: ) is a famous Chinese liquor, distilled from fermented sorghum. ... Kaoliang (Chinese: 高梁酒; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: kao-liang-chiu; Taiwanese POJ: kau-liâng-chiú) is a strong distilled liquor, made from fermented sorghum (the name is Chinese for “sorghum”). It is made in the and primarily sold in Taiwan. ... Red Sorghum (紅高梁, Pinyin: Hong gao liang) is a 1987 Chinese film, the first to be directed by Zhang Yimou, based off a novel by Mo Yan. ...


In Nigeria, Lesotho and South Africa, sorghum is used to produce beer, including the local version of Guinness. In recent years, sorghum has been used as a substitute for other grain in gluten free beer. Although the African versions are not "gluten free", as malt extract is also used, truly gluten free beer using such substitutes such as sorghum or buckwheat are now available. Sorghum is used in the same way as barley to produce a "malt" that can form the basis of a mash that will brew a beer without gliadin or hordein (together "gluten") and therefore can be suitable for coeliacs or others sensitive to certain glycoproteins.[3] A selection of bottled beers A selection of cask beers Beer is the worlds oldest[1] and most popular[2] alcoholic beverage, selling more than 133 billion liters (35 billion gallons) per year - producing total global revenues of $331. ... Guinness logo World War II era advert. ... Buckwheat (left) and sorghum (right), two key ingredients used by gluten free brewers Gluten free beer is beer made from ingredients without glycoproteins (gluten) that, for people with a variety of medical conditions, cause an autoimmune response that can lead to more serious conditions. ... Wheat - a prime source of gluten Gluten is an amorphous ergastic protein found combined with starch in the endosperm of some cereals, notably wheat, rye, and barley. ... Binomial name Hordeum vulgare L. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a major food and animal feed crop, a member of the grass family Poaceae. ... Malted barley Malting is a process applied to cereal grains, in which the grains are made to germinate and then are quickly dried before the plant develops. ... Look up Mash in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Mash may refer to: Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. ... A selection of bottled beers A selection of cask beers Beer is the worlds oldest[1] and most popular[2] alcoholic beverage, selling more than 133 billion liters (35 billion gallons) per year - producing total global revenues of $331. ... Gliadin is a glycoprotein, present in wheat and some other cereals, best known for its role, along with glutenin, in the formation of gluten. ... Hordein is a glycoprotein, present in barley and some other cereals, together with [gliadin] and other glycoproteins as [gluten]. Some people are sensitive to hordein due to disorders such as celiac disease. ... Wheat - a prime source of gluten Gluten is an amorphous ergastic protein found combined with starch in the endosperm of some cereals, notably wheat, rye, and barley. ... Coeliac disease (also termed non-tropical sprue, celiac disease and gluten intolerance) is an autoimmune disease characterised by chronic inflammation of the proximal portion of the small intestine caused by exposure to certain dietary gluten proteins. ... A glycoprotein is a macromolecule composed of a protein and a carbohydrate (a sugar). ...


In November 2006, Lakefront Brewery of Milwaukee,Wisconsin launched its "New Grist" gluten-free beer, brewed with sorghum and rice. It is one of its most successful lines. It is aimed at those with celiac disease, although its low-carb content also makes it popular with health-minded drinkers.[4] Lakefront Brewery is a microbrewery based in the Riverwest section of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ... This article is about Milwaukee in Wisconsin. ... Official language(s) None Capital Madison Largest city Milwaukee Area  Ranked 23rd  - Total 65,498 sq mi (169,790 km²)  - Width 260 miles (420 km)  - Length 310 miles (500 km)  - % water 17  - Latitude 42°30N to 47°3N  - Longitude 86°49W to 92°54W Population  Ranked... Species Oryza glaberrima Oryza sativa Brown basmati rice Terrace of paddy fields in Yunnan Province, southern China. ... Coeliac disease (also termed non-tropical sprue, celiac disease and gluten intolerance) is an autoimmune disease characterised by chronic inflammation of the proximal portion of the small intestine caused by exposure to certain dietary gluten proteins. ... Low-carbohydrate diets or low carb diets, are food diet programs for weight loss and dietary health that advocate restricted carbohydrate consumption, based on research that ties carbohydrate consumption with increased blood insulin levels, and increased insulin with obesity. ...


On December 20, 2006, Anheuser-Busch of St. Louis, Missouri announced the release of their new "Redbridge" beer product. This beer will be gluten-free and produced with sorghum as the main ingredient. Redbridge is the first sorghum based beer to be nationally distributed in the United States. Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. ...


African sorghum beer is a brownish-pink beverage with a fruity, sour, sorghum like taste. It has an alcohol content that can vary between 1% and 8%. African sorghum beer is high in protein, which contributes to foam stability, giving it a milk-like head. Because this beer is not filtered, its appearance is cloudy and yeasty, and may also contain bits of grain. This beer is said to be very thirst quenching even if it is traditionally consumed at room temperature. Sea foam on the beach. ...


African sorghum beer is a popular drink primarily amongst the black community for historical reasons. African sorghum beer is said to be a traditional drink of the Zulu people of Southern Africa. It also became popular amongst the black community in South Africa because the only exception to the prohibition, which was lifted in 1962 and only applied to black people, was sorghum beer. Sorghum beer is called bjala in Northern Sotho and is traditionally made to mark the unveiling of a loved-one's tombstone. The task of making the beer falls traditionally to women. The process is begun several days before the party, when the women of the community gather together to bring the sorghum and water to a boil in huge cast-iron pots over open fires. After the mix has fermented for several days it is strained - a somewhat labor intensive task. Sorghum beer is known by many different names in various countries across Africa, including burukuto (Nigeria), pombe (East Africa) and bil-bil (Cameroon). African sorghum beer is brewed using grain sorghum and undergoes lactic acid fermentation as well as alcoholic fermentation. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The term Prohibition, also known as Dry Law, refers to a law in a certain country by which the manufacture, transportation, import, export, and sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted or illegal. ... Lactic acid Lactic acid fermentation is a form of anaerobic respiration that occurs in some bacteria and animal cells in the absence of oxygen. ... Pyruvic acid becomes ethanol (alcohol) and carbon dioxide by using the hydrogen ions and electrons from NADH. Again, this occurs in the cytosol of the cell. ...


The steps in brewing African sorghum beer are: malting, mashing, souring and alcoholic fermentation. All steps, with the exception of the souring, can be compared to traditional beer brewing. A 16th century brewer A 21st century brewer This article concerns the production of alcoholic beverages. ... Malted barley Malting is a process applied to cereal grains, in which the grains are made to germinate and then quickly dried before the plant develops. ... Mashing is a stage in the brewing process where grains are steeped in water at specific temperatures, to facilitate enzyme activity and starch conversion. ... A selection of bottled beers A selection of cask beers Beer is the worlds oldest[1] and most popular[2] alcoholic beverage, selling more than 133 billion liters (35 billion gallons) per year - producing total global revenues of $331. ...


The souring of African sorghum beer is done by lactic acid fermentation, and is responsible for the distinct sour taste. Souring may be initiated using yogurt, sour dough starter cultures, or by spontaneous fermentation. The natural micro flora of the sorghum grain maybe also be the source of lactic acid bacteria; a handful of raw grain sorghum or malted sorghum may be mixed in with the wort to start the lactic acid fermentation. Although many lactic acid bacteria strains may be present, the Lactobacillus spp. is responsible for the lactic acid fermentation in African sorghum beer.[5] Yoghurt Yoghurt or yogurt, less commonly yoghourt or yogourt, is a dairy product produced by bacterial fermentation of milk. ... Species L. acidophilus L. brevis L. delbrueckii subsp. ...


Commercial African sorghum beer is packaged in a microbiologically active state. The lactic acid fermentation and/or alcoholic fermentation may still be active. For this reason, special plastic or carton containers with vents are used to allow gas to escape. Spoilage is a big safety concern when it comes to African sorghum beer. Packaging does not occur in sterile conditions and many microorganisms may contaminate the beer. Also, using wild lactic acid bacteria increases the chances of spoilage organisms being present. However, the microbiologically active characteristic of the beer also increases the safety of the product by creating competition between organisms.[6] Although aflatoxins from mould were found on sorghum grain, they were not found in industrially produced African sorghum beer.[7] Chemical structure of Aflatoxin B1 Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins that act as carcinogens and are produced by two types of mold, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. ...


Other uses

Sorghum straw (stem fibres) can also be made into excellent wall board for house building, as well as biodegradable packaging. It does not accumulate static electricity, so it is also being used in packaging materials for sensitive electronic equipment. Bales of straw bundles of rice straw Pile of straw bales, sheltered under a tarpaulin Straw is an agricultural byproduct, the dry stalk of a cereal plant, after the nutrient grain or seed has been removed. ...


Little research has been done to improve sorghum cultivars because the vast majority of sorghum production is done by subsistence farmers. The crop is therefore mostly limited by insects, disease and weeds, rather than by the plant's inherent ability. To improve the plant's viability in sustaining populations in drought prone areas, a larger capital investment would be necessary to control plant pests and ensure optimum planting and harvesting practices. This Osteospermum Pink Whirls is a successful cultivar. ...


Recently, however, the US Congress passed the Renewable Fuels Standard, with the goal of producing 30 billion litres (8 billion gallons) of renewable fuel (ethanol) annually by 2012. This bill should noticeably increase the demand for ethanol producing crops for at least the next decade. Sorghum produces the same amount of ethanol per unit as maize, therefore in hot areas where sorghum can out-produce maize this bill should result in an increase in grain sorghum cultivation. Sorghum growers are hoping that this will create just the market they need to take off with production. Currently, 12% of grain sorghum production in the US is used to make ethanol, and growers are hoping for an increase.


Diseases

Main article: List of sorghum diseases

Growing grain sorghum

Sorghum requires an average temperature of at least 25 °C to produce maximum grain yields in a given year. Maximum photosynthesis is achieved at daytime temperatures of at least 30 °C. Night time temperatures below 13°C for more than a few days can severely impact the plant’s potential grain production. Sorghum cannot be planted until soil temperatures have reached 17 °C. The long growing season, usually 90–120 days, causes yields to be severely decreased if plants are not in the ground early enough.


Grain Sorghum is usually planted with a commercial corn seeder at a depth of 2–5 cm, depending on the density of the soil (shallower in heavier soil). The goal in planting, when working with fertile soil, is 50,000 to 300,000 plants per hectare. Therefore, with an average emergence rate of 75%, sorghum should be planted at a rate of 2–12 kg of seed per hectare.


It has been found that yields can be boosted by 10–15% when optimum use of moisture and sunlight are obtained by planting in 25 cm rows instead of the conventional 1 m rows. Sorghum, in general is a very competitive crop, and does well in competition with weeds in narrow rows. However, herbicides are still required to control the weed problem so that the plants produce an economically viable crop of grain.


Insect and diseases are not prevalent in sorghum crops. Birds, however, are a major source of yield loss. Hybrids with higher tannin content and growing the crop in large field blocks are solutions used to combat the birds. The crop may also be attacked by corn earworms, aphids, and some Lepidoptera larvae including Turnip Moth. For other meanings of bird, see bird (disambiguation). ... Tannins are astringent, bitter-tasting plant polyphenols that bind and precipitate proteins. ... Superfamilies Butterflies Hesperioidea Papilionoidea Moths Acanthopteroctetoidea Alucitoidea Axioidea Bombycoidea Calliduloidea Choreutoidea Cossoidea Drepanoidea Epermenioidea Eriocranioidea Galacticoidea Gelechioidea Geometroidea Gracillarioidea Hedyloidea Hepialoidea Heterobathmioidea Hyblaeoidea Immoidea Incurvarioidea Lasiocampoidea Lophocoronoidea Micropterigoidea Mimallonoidea Mnesarchaeoidea Neopseustoidea Nepticuloidea Noctuoidea Palaephatoidea Pterophoroidea Pyraloidea Schreckensteinioidea Sesioidea Simaethistoidea Thyridoidea Tineoidea Tischerioidea Tortricoidea Urodoidea Whalleyanoidea Yponomeutoidea Zygaenoidea The order Lepidoptera... A larval insect A larva (Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of animal with indirect development, undergoing metamorphosis (for example, insects or amphibians). ... Binomial name Agrotis segetum Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775 The Turnip Moth (Agrotis segetum) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. ...


It is a very high nitrogen feeding crop. An average hectare producing 6.3 tonnes of grain yield requires 110 kg of nitrogen, but relatively small amounts of phosphorus and potassium (15 kg of each). General Name, Symbol, Number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless gas Standard atomic weight 14. ...


Sorghum’s growth habit is similar to that of maize, but with more side shoots and a more extensively branched root system. The root system is very fibrous, and can extend to a depth of up to 1.2 m. The plant finds 75% of its water in the top metre of soil, and because of this, in dry areas, the plant’s production can be severely affected by the water holding capacity of the soil. The plants require up to 70–100 mm of moisture every 10 days in early stages of growth, and as sorghum progresses through growth stages and the roots penetrate more deeply into the soil to tap into hidden water reserves, the plant needs progressively less water. By the time the seed heads are filling, optimum water conditions are down to about 50 mm every 10 days. Compacted soil or shallow topsoil can limit the plants ability to deal with drought by limiting its root system. Since these plants are designed to grow in hot, dry areas, it is essential that the soil is kept from compacting and that they are grown on land with ample cultivated topsoil.


Wild species of sorghum tend to grow to a height of 1.5–2 m; however, due to problems this height created when the grain was being harvested, in recent years cultivars with genes for dwarfism have been selected, resulting in sorghum that grows to between 60 and 120 cm tall. This stylistic schematic diagram shows a gene in relation to the double helix structure of DNA and to a chromosome (right). ... see dwarf, and for insular dwarfism and other meanings see Dwarf (disambiguation). ...


Sorghum's yields are not affected by short periods of drought as severely as other crops such as maize because it develops its seed heads over longer periods of time, and short periods of water stress do not usually have the ability to prevent kernel development. Even in a long drought severe enough to hamper sorghum production, it will still usually produce some seed on smaller and fewer seed heads. Rarely will you find a kernelless season for sorghum, even under the most adverse water conditions. Sorghum's ability to thrive with less water than maize may be due to its ability to hold water in its foliage better than maize. Sorghum has a waxy coating on its leaves and stems which helps to keep water in the plant even in intense heat.

Sorghum bicolor

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1258x1677, 544 KB) Summary Sorghum bicolor 2005, sep 4 by pethan Botanical Gardens Utrecht University Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Sorghum Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1258x1677, 544 KB) Summary Sorghum bicolor 2005, sep 4 by pethan Botanical Gardens Utrecht University Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Sorghum Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used...

Trivia

  • Sorghum was used in Italian folk religions by the malevolent witches that fought the Benandanti.
  • There are approximately 750 to 1,250 seeds in one grain sorghum head.
  • Sorghum is currently grown in over 66 countries.
  • Sorghum is used to make a popular Chinese wine, Wu Liang Ye (Five Grain Wine) along with Wheat, Rice, Barley and Maize.

The Benandanti were an agrarian fertility cult in Northern Italy in the 16th century. ...

Footnotes

  1. ^ Daniel Zohary and Maria Hopf, Domestication of plants in the Old World, third edition (Oxford: University Press, 2000),p. 89
  2. ^ Zohary and Hopf, Domestication, p. 89
  3. ^ glutenfreebeerfestival.com. Carolyn Smagalski, www.glutenfreebeerfestival.com (2006).
  4. ^ JSOnline.com Story on Lake Front Brewery. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, www.jsonline.com.com (2006).
  5. ^ Van der Walt, H.P., 1956. Kafficorn matling and brewing studies II-Studies on the microbiology of Kaffir Beer. J. Sci. Food. Agric. 7(2) 105–113.
  6. ^ Haggblade, S., Holzapfel, W.H., 1989. Industrialization of Africa's indigenous beer brewing. In: Steinkraus K.H. (Ed,), Industrialization of Indigenous Fermented Foods, 33. Marcel/Dekker, New York, pp. 191–283.
  7. ^ Trinder, DW. 1998. A survey of aflatoxins in industrially brewed South African sorghum beer and beer strainings. J. INST. BREW. vol. 95, no. 5, pp. 307–309

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