Sorghum Fodder Nutritional Value for Cattle

Cultivation Practices, Yield, Nutritional Value and Feeding Significance

1. Introduction

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), popularly known as jowar or chari, is one of the most important fodder cereal crops cultivated in India. It occupies a significant place in livestock feeding systems, particularly in semi-arid, arid, and drought-prone regions, where availability of green fodder remains a major constraint. Sorghum is valued for its high biomass production, rapid growth, adaptability to adverse climatic conditions, and low input requirement.

From a veterinary nutrition perspective, sorghum fodder serves primarily as a source of bulk roughage and energy for ruminants. However, its feeding value is influenced by agronomic practices, stage of harvest, fertilization, and the presence of certain anti-nutritional factors, particularly prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide). Therefore, an integrated understanding of cultivation practices, fodder yield, nutritional composition, and safe feeding is essential for veterinarians, dairy consultants, and livestock producers.

2. Botanical Description and Classification

Scientific name: Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench
Family: Poaceae
Chromosome number: 2n = 20

Sorghum is an erect, annual grass with solid stems, broad leaves, and a well-developed fibrous root system. Based on its use in livestock feeding, fodder sorghum is classified as follows:

Types of Fodder Sorghum

Type	Characteristics	Importance
Single-cut sorghum	One harvest, high biomass	Green fodder, silage
Multi-cut sorghum	2–3 cuts, fast regeneration	Continuous fodder supply
Dual-purpose sorghum	Grain + fodder	Mixed farming systems

3. Agro-Climatic Requirements

Sorghum is a warm-season C4 crop, making it highly efficient in photosynthesis and water use.

Climatic Requirements

Optimal temperature: 25–35°C
Rainfall: 400–750 mm
High tolerance to drought and heat stress
Sensitive to frost

Soil Requirements

Best suited to loamy to clay loam soils
Can tolerate moderately saline and alkaline soils
Ideal soil pH: 6.0–8.0
Poorly drained soils should be avoided

4. Soil Preparation

Proper soil preparation ensures good germination and early establishment.

Recommended Practices:

One deep ploughing to break hard pans
Two to three harrowings to obtain fine tilth
Removal of weeds and stubbles
Application of 8–10 tonnes/ha of well-decomposed FYM

Good soil aeration and moisture conservation improve nutrient uptake and fodder yield.

5. Varieties of Fodder Sorghum in India

Important Varieties

Category	Varieties
Single-cut	Pusa Chari-1, Pusa Chari-6, MP Chari, UP Chari-1
Multi-cut	COFS-29, COFS-31, Pusa Chari-615
Dual-purpose	SPV 669, K-11, SSG 988, CSH 24 MF

Variety selection should be based on irrigation availability, cutting frequency, and feeding purpose.

6. Time of Sowing and Seed Rate

Time of Sowing

Kharif season: June–July
Summer (irrigated): March–April

Seed Rate and Spacing

Crop Type	Seed Rate	Row Spacing
Single-cut	40 kg/ha	25–30 cm
Multi-cut	10–15 kg/ha	30 cm

Line sowing is preferred for uniform plant population and easier intercultural operations.

7. Fertilizer and Nutrient Management

Sorghum is responsive to nitrogen fertilization, which directly influences yield and crude protein content.

Recommended Fertilizer Dose (kg/ha)

Nutrient	Quantity
Nitrogen (N)	80–100
Phosphorus (P₂O₅)	40–50
Potassium (K₂O)	40–50

Application Schedule:

Basal: Full P & K + 50% N
Top dressing: Remaining N after first cut (multi-cut)

Balanced fertilization improves regrowth, palatability, and nutritive value.

8. Irrigation and Crop Management

Rainfed sorghum: Generally no irrigation required
Irrigated sorghum: 2–4 irrigations depending on season
Critical stages:
- Germination
- Tillering
- Regrowth after cutting

Weed management during the first 3–4 weeks is crucial to avoid yield loss.

9. Harvesting Stage and Fodder Yield

Harvesting Stage

Single-cut: 50% flowering stage (60–75 days)
Multi-cut: First cut at 50–55 days; subsequent cuts at 40–45 days interval

Green Fodder Yield

Crop Type	Yield (tonnes/ha/year)
Single-cut	35–40
Multi-cut	100–150

Delayed harvesting reduces digestibility due to increased lignification.

10. Nutritional Composition of Sorghum Fodder

The nutritive value depends on maturity, fertilization, and variety.

Average Nutrient Composition (DM basis)

Nutrient	Value
Dry Matter	20–25%
Crude Protein	6–9%
NDF	60–65%
ADF	35–40%
TDN	55–60%
Calcium	Low
Phosphorus	Moderate

Sorghum fodder is energy-rich but protein and calcium deficient, necessitating supplementation.

11. Anti-Nutritional Factors: Prussic Acid (HCN)

Sorghum contains cyanogenic glycosides that can release hydrogen cyanide.

Conditions Increasing HCN Risk:

Young plants (<40 days)
Drought stress
Frost injury
Excess nitrogen fertilization

Preventive Measures:

Harvest at flowering stage
Avoid feeding immature crop
Wilting reduces HCN content
Avoid feeding immediately after drought-breaking rains

12. Feeding Value in Livestock

Dairy Cattle & Buffalo

Excellent bulk roughage
Supports milk production when balanced with protein and minerals

Sheep & Goats

Feed in chopped form
Avoid exclusive feeding

Role in Balanced Ration

Combine with legume fodder (berseem, lucerne)
Supplement mineral mixture and concentrates

13. Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

Drought tolerant
High biomass yield
Low cultivation cost
Suitable for silage

Limitations

Low protein
Low calcium
Risk of HCN toxicity if mismanaged

14. Conclusion

Sorghum fodder plays a strategic role in Indian livestock production systems, particularly under water-limited conditions. Proper agronomic management, timely harvesting, and balanced feeding can maximise its benefits while minimising risks. From a veterinary nutrition standpoint, sorghum fodder should always be viewed as a component of a balanced ration, not a sole feed.

Objective Type Questions (MCQs)

Q1. Scientific name of sorghum is:

A. Zea mays
B. Pennisetum glaucum
C. Sorghum bicolor
D. Avena sativa

Q2. Sorghum is best harvested for fodder at:

A. Tillering stage
B. Booting stage
C. 50% flowering stage
D. Grain hardening stage

Q3. Major anti-nutritional factor in sorghum fodder is:

A. Oxalate
B. Tannin
C. Hydrogen cyanide
D. Saponin

Q4. Sorghum is primarily classified as:

A. Legume fodder
B. Root fodder
C. Cereal fodder
D. Tree fodder

Q5. Average crude protein content of sorghum fodder is:

A. 3–4%
B. 6–9%
C. 12–15%
D. 18–20%

Q6. Multi-cut sorghum first cut is taken at:

A. 25–30 days
B. 40–45 days
C. 50–55 days
D. 70–75 days

Q7. Sorghum is deficient mainly in:

A. Phosphorus
B. Magnesium
C. Calcium
D. Potassium

Q8. Optimal temperature for sorghum growth is:

A. 10–15°C
B. 15–20°C
C. 25–35°C
D. 40–45°C

Q9. Excess nitrogen fertilization increases the risk of:

A. Protein deficiency
B. Prussic acid toxicity
C. Mineral imbalance
D. Fungal infection

Q10. Sorghum fodder is best supplemented with:

A. Straw
B. Leguminous fodder
C. Root crops
D. Silage only

Q11. NDF content of sorghum fodder is approximately:

A. 30–35%
B. 40–45%
C. 60–65%
D. 75–80%

Q12. Sorghum belongs to which family?

A. Fabaceae
B. Poaceae
C. Solanaceae
D. Cruciferae

Q13. Best method to reduce HCN content before feeding is:

A. Boiling
B. Grinding
C. Wilting
D. Soaking

Q14. Sorghum is most suitable for:

A. High rainfall areas
B. Flood-prone areas
C. Drought-prone areas
D. Cold regions

Q15. Sorghum fodder is mainly a source of:

A. Protein
B. Minerals
C. Energy and bulk
D. Vitamins

Answer Key

About Ali Veterinary Wisdom

Ali Veterinary Wisdom is a veterinarian-led platform dedicated to addressing nutritional and metabolic challenges in poultry and livestock through scientific understanding and field-based insights. The focus lies on explaining why problems occur at the physiological level, enabling sustainable solutions rather than temporary symptom control.