Jowar (Sorghum) Package of Practices: Complete Cultivation Guide for Higher Yield

1. Introduction

Jowar (Sorghum) is both a major millet and a cereal crop  grown in India, especially in dry and semi-arid regions. Known for its drought tolerance and adaptability, jowar plays a vital role in ensuring food and fodder security for millions of farmers.

Importance of Jowar Cultivation

• Suitable for rainfed and low-input farming systems
• Requires less water compared to rice and wheat
• Provides both grain and fodder income
• Ideal crop for marginal and small farmers

Nutritional and Economic Value

Jowar grains are highly nutritious and considered a healthy millet due to:

• High dietary fiber
• Rich iron and protein content
• Gluten-free nature (good for diabetic and health-conscious consumers)

Economically, farmers benefit from:

• Dual-purpose use (grain + fodder)
• Lower cultivation cost
• Stable market demand for food, feed, and ethanol industries

Role in Dryland Agriculture and Climate Resilience

Jowar is a climate-smart crop because:

• It tolerates drought and high temperatures.
• Performs well under moisture stress.
• Suitable for climate change–affected regions.

2. Crop Overview

Importance in India

India is one of the major producers of jowar, where it is used as staple food and livestock fodder.

Major Jowar Growing States

• Maharashtra
• Karnataka
• Telangana
• Andhra Pradesh
• Madhya Pradesh
• Rajasthan
• Gujarat
• Tamil Nadu

Types of Jowar

• Kharif Jowar – Sown during monsoon (June–July)
• Rabi Jowar – Sown after monsoon (September–October)
• Summer Jowar – Irrigated crop (January–February)

3. Climate and Soil Requirements

Ideal Temperature

• Optimum: 26°C – 32°C
• Germination: Above 18°C

Rainfall Requirement

• Ideal rainfall: 400–700 mm
• Suitable for rainfed regions

Suitable Soil Types

• Well-drained loamy soils
• Medium to deep black cotton soils
• Red soils with good drainage

Soil pH Range

• Ideal pH: 6.0 – 8.5

4. Improved Varieties / Hybrids

(Farmers should select varieties recommended by local agricultural universities.)

5. Land Preparation

Field Preparation Steps

• One deep ploughing with mouldboard plough.
• 2–3 harrowings for fine tilth.
• Remove weeds and crop residues.

Tillage Practices

• Maintain well-leveled field.
• Ensure proper drainage to avoid waterlogging.

Soil Moisture Conservation

• Ridge and furrow method
• Compartment bunding
• Mulching with crop residues

6. Seed and Sowing Practices

Seed Rate

• Grain purpose: 3–4 kg per acre
• Fodder purpose: 8–10 kg per acre

Sowing Season

• Kharif: June–July
• Rabi: September–October
• Summer: January–February

Spacing

• Row spacing: 45 cm
• Plant spacing: 12–15 cm

Seed Treatment

Before sowing:

• Treat seeds with Trichoderma viride (biofungicide) @ 4 g/kg seed.
• Use Azospirillum or PSB biofertilizer for better nutrient uptake.
• Fungicide treatment (if disease-prone area): Thiram or Carbendazim @ 2 g/kg seed.

7. Nutrient Management

Recommended Fertilizer Dose

(General recommendation)

• Apply full P & K and half N at sowing.
• Remaining nitrogen at 30 days after sowing.

Organic Manure

• FYM or compost: 4–5 tons per acre before sowing.

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)

• Combine organic manure + fertilizers + biofertilizers.
• Improves soil fertility and yield sustainability.

8. Irrigation Management

Critical Irrigation Stages

• Germination stage
• Vegetative stage
• Flowering stage
• Grain filling stage

Rainfed Water Management

• Adopt moisture conservation practices.
• Avoid water stagnation.
• Use ridge and furrow planting.

9. Weed Management

Major Weeds

• Cynodon dactylon (Doob grass)
• Amaranthus spp.
• Cyperus rotundus

Control Methods

Mechanical

• Hand weeding at 20–25 DAS and 40 DAS.
• Intercultivation using weeder.

Chemical

• Atrazine @ recommended dose as pre-emergence herbicide.

10. Pest Management

Major Pests

• Shoot fly
• Stem borer
• Aphids
• Armyworms

Symptoms

• Dead heart formation (shoot fly)
• Stem tunneling
• Sap sucking and leaf curling

Management Practices

• Early sowing to escape pest attack.
• Use resistant varieties.
• Install pheromone traps.

IPM Strategies

• Seed treatment with bio-agents.
• Encourage natural enemies.
• Need-based insecticide application only.

11. Disease Management

Common Diseases

• Downy mildew
• Grain mold
• Smut disease
• Leaf blight

Control Measures

• Use certified seeds.
• Crop rotation.
• Seed treatment with fungicides.
• Avoid excess nitrogen application.

12. Intercultural Operations

Thinning

Maintain optimum plant population at 15–20 DAS.

Gap Filling

Fill missing hills within 10–12 days after germination.

Earthing Up

Done at 30 DAS to improve root growth and lodging resistance.

13. Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management

Harvest Maturity Signs

• Grains become hard.
• Panicles turn brown.
• Moisture content reduces.

Harvesting Method

• Cut ear heads first or harvest entire plant.

Drying and Storage

• Dry grains to 12–13% moisture.
• Store in clean, moisture-free containers.
• Use neem leaves for storage pest control.

14. Yield and Economics

Average Yield

• Rainfed: 8–12 quintals per acre
• Irrigated: 15–20 quintals per acre

Cost vs Profit Overview

• Low input cost crop
• Additional income from fodder
• Suitable for risk-prone dry areas

15. Benefits of Jowar Cultivation

Nutritional Benefits

• High fiber and antioxidants
• Gluten-free grain
• Suitable for diabetic diets

Soil Health Improvement

• Deep root system improves soil structure.
• Adds organic matter through residues.

Climate-Smart Advantages

• Drought tolerant
• Heat resistant
• Low water requirement

16. Common Farmer Mistakes and Practical Tips

✅ Avoid late sowing — increases pest attack.
✅ Do not use untreated seeds.
✅ Maintain proper spacing for higher yield.
✅ Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer.
✅ Ensure timely weeding within first 40 days.
✅ Choose varieties suitable for local conditions.

Pro Tip: Early sowing with moisture conservation practices significantly increases yield in rainfed areas.

17. Conclusion

Jowar cultivation offers a sustainable and profitable farming option, especially for dryland farmers in India. With rising climate challenges and increasing demand for nutritious millets, jowar is gaining renewed importance in modern agriculture.

By adopting improved varieties, balanced nutrient management, integrated pest control, and proper agronomic practices, farmers can achieve higher productivity and stable income. As India promotes millet cultivation for nutrition security and climate resilience, jowar has immense future potential as a climate-smart and farmer-friendly crop.