Sorghum-Harvest and storage

Sorghum takes about 100-115 days to mature. The right stage for harvest is when grains have become hard having less than 25 per cent moisture. When the crop matures the leaves turn yellow and present a dried up appearance.

The crop should be harvested immediately after it is mature. It is advised not to wait for stalks and leaves to dry because plants of hybrid sorghum appear green even after the crop is mature.

Harvesting is done by cutting the entire plant or removing the ear heads first and cutting down the plants later on.

Threshing is done with the help of threshers or by beating the earheads with sticks or by trampling bullocks.

The threshed grain should be cleaned and dried in sun for about a week to bring the moisture content down to 13-15 per cent for safe storage.