CHAPTER XV 

 ANDROPOGON SORGHUM (Sorghums^) 



Habit of Plant, and Roots.^ — All sorghums are annual. 

 The root system is well developed. The roots are generally 

 finer and more fibrous than those of maize. The root crowns 

 and laterals show a vigorous growth. Sorghum is more of a 

 surface' feeder than corn, its roots being chiefly in the first 

 1 8 inches. The roots of all sorghums are tough and wiry. 



Sterns and Leaves. — The culms vary in height from 3 to 

 15 feet. They are solid; the internodes and leaf sheaths are 

 about equal in length. Sorghums produce both "suckers" 

 and side branches from buds placed in the axils of the leaves. 

 As many as 10 or 15 suckers may be produced from one 

 plant; they differ from the main stalk in that they are less 

 tall, and mature later. Side branches do not appear until 

 the main stem is headed out. The heads on these branches 

 are smaller and less productive than those on the main stalk, 

 and they mature much later. 



The leaves are very similar to those of corn. 



Inflorescence. — This is a panicle, which, with a few excep- 

 tions (e.g., broom corn), is rather compact. It is called the 

 "head." These heads may vary (Fig. 73) a great deal in 

 shape and color. The axis of the inflorescence is rather 

 angular. The side branches are in apparent whorls, one 

 above the other. The spikelets usually occur in pairs (Fig. 

 70), although toward the tip of the inflorescence th^y may 

 occur in threes. 



' The term "sorghum" includes all the groups known in the United States 

 as mile, kowliang, shallu, durra, broom corn, and kafir. 



191 



