Fodder Sorghum (Chari)

1. Land Preparation One or two ploughings and planking. Chari is grown for green fodder and is usually fitted between main crops, so quick preparation is normal. 2.

Both Sowing Apr–Jul Harvest Nov–Dec 400–600 maund per acre

Land Preparation

One or two ploughings and planking. Chari is grown for green fodder and is usually fitted between main crops, so quick preparation is normal.

Sowing Time & Method

April through July, staggered every two to three weeks so green fodder is available continuously rather than all at once.

Seed Rate & Treatment

25–30 kg per acre broadcast, or 20 kg in rows.

Fertilizer

One bag urea per cut, applied after each cutting to push regrowth.

Irrigation

Every 12–15 days in summer. Chari is thirsty but gives two or three cuts in return.

Weed Control

Weed Damage Control Product
Johnson Grass (Baru) It goes into the cut unnoticed, and its young or stressed regrowth carries prussic acid that can poison the animals fed that chari. Deep ploughing before sowing to drag the rhizomes out; where it is already standing in the crop, do not cut for fodder just after drought or frost
Horse Purslane (Itsit) Covers the ground between the rows before the crop closes in and takes the young chari's moisture and fertiliser. One early hoeing, as the note below says
Barnyard Grass (Swank) In damp fields it grows level with the crop and thins the stand, so the cut comes off lighter. Sow a full seed rate in close rows so the crop smothers it
Purple Nutsedge (Deela) Comes up from its tubers after every irrigation and takes the nitrogen all season, so the field gives fewer cuts. Lift the tubers with the hoeing and take them off the field
Wild Amaranth (Chulai) Comes up with the crop and goes into the cut as hard stalks the animals leave in the manger. Pull it out by hand before cutting

The crop grows fast enough to smother most weeds. One hoeing early if needed.

Insect Pests

Shoot fly early, stem borer later. Damage matters less in a fodder crop than in grain.

Diseases

Few problems of consequence in a short fodder crop.

Harvesting

First cut at 55–60 days, at flowering. NEVER graze or cut before 40 days or after drought stress — young and stressed sorghum contains prussic acid and kills livestock.