Sorghum bicolor
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Sorghum
Species:	S. bicolor
Binomial name
Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Sorghum bicolor (Sorghum japonicum), commonly called sorghum, is a plant species in the grass family Poaceae. It is the primary Sorghum species cultivated for grain for human consumption and for animal feed. It can be popped in a similar fashion to popcorn. The species originated in northern Africa and can grow in arid soils and withstand prolonged droughts.^[1] It has four features which make it one of the most drought resistant crops of all: it has a very large root-to-leaf surface area; in times of drought it will roll its leaves to lessen water-loss by transpiration; if drought continues it will go into dormancy rather than dying; its leaves are protected by a waxy cuticle. S. bicolor is typically an annual, but some cultivars are perennial. It grows in clumps which may reach over 4 meters high. The grain is small reaching about 3 to 4 mm in diameter. Sweet sorghums are sorghum cultivars that are primarily grown for foliage; they are shorter than those grown for grain.^[1]

Contents 1 Uses 1.1 International naming 2 See also 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Uses

• A traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known grain has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.^[2]

• The species is source of ethanol fuel, and in some environments may be better than maize or sugarcane as it can grow under more harsh conditions.^[1]
• It has protein levels of typically 9 per cent, enabling dependent human populations to subsist on it in times of famine, in contrast to regions where maize, introduced by colonizers, has become the staple crop.
• Used for making a traditional corn broom. [1]

[edit] International naming

• கருஞ்சோளம் (Karuncoolam) in Tamil
• "Jowar" in Gujarati
• "Kenike" in Bamanankan

'mtama' in swahili muvya in kikamba "mabele" in setswana

[edit] See also

• Media related to Sorghum bicolor at Wikimedia Commons

[edit] References

• "Taxon: Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench subsp. bicolor - information from National Plant Germplasm System/GRIN". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN): GRIN Taxonomy for Plants. Beltsville Area, USA: United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. 2008-03-05. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?454806. Retrieved 2008-12-12. 
• Sorghum bicolor in West African plants - A Photo Guide.

[edit] External links

• Crop Wild Relatives Gap Analysis Portal reliable information source on where and what to conserve ex-situ, regarding Sorghum genepool

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