World SeedGrain Sorghum, Jowar (Sorghum bicolor)
Grain sorghum, or jowar, is the drought cereal of the semi-arid tropics: it yields where maize fails, on 400 mm of rain, and its stover feeds livestock after harvest. Pakistani open-pollinated types are sown across Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia for grain, poultry feed and dual-purpose use. The agronomy and seed standards are below.
Botanical identity and type
Botanical name: Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, Poaceae.
Origin / type: Open-pollinated white and red grain types from Sindh and Punjab; dual-purpose grain and stover.
Crop type: Annual warm-season cereal for grain, feed and dual-purpose stover.
Grain sorghum forms a compact panicle of round grains 3–4 mm across, white, cream or red depending on type. White-grained types are preferred for human food and poultry feed; red types have more tannin and bird resistance. Pakistani export lots are open-pollinated, medium-duration (100–120 days) and 1.5–2.2 m tall, so they give both a grain harvest of 3–5 t/ha and 8–12 t/ha of dry stover. Under irrigation and higher fertility grain yields of 5–7 t/ha are achievable; hybrid types yield more but need fresh seed each year.
Sorghum is a C4 plant that closes its stomata under stress and resumes growth when water returns, tolerates temporary waterlogging better than maize and handles soil salinity to an ECe of about 6.8 dS/m. It is a photoperiod-sensitive crop in some landraces; the exported types are day-neutral within 15–35° latitude. Grain protein is 9–12 % with low lysine, which matters for monogastric rations.
For forage rather than grain see BMR 313, sweet sorghum or sudan grass; for a summer cereal with faster grain fill in very hot conditions see pearl millet.
Agronomy at a glance
Figures are typical ranges under good management; local trials should confirm rates for a specific site. Use the sowing rate tables to convert kg/ha to per-acre, per-feddan or per-jerib rates.
| Parameter | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Sowing rate | 8–12 kg/ha drilled for grain; 15–20 kg/ha dual-purpose (typical) |
| Sowing depth | 3–5 cm into moisture |
| Row spacing | 45–75 cm rows, 10–15 cm within row |
| Days to harvest | 100–120 days to physiological maturity |
| Harvests per season | 1; ratoon crop possible in frost-free zones |
| Yield, grain | 3–5 t/ha rainfed; 5–7 t/ha irrigated (typical) |
| Yield, stover (dry) | 8–12 t/ha |
| Crude protein (grain) | 9–12 % |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8.5 |
| Water need | 400–600 mm per season; tolerates 300 mm with yield loss |
| Temperature | Optimum 25–32 °C; sow above 16 °C soil; frost kills |
| Salinity tolerance | Moderate: threshold ECe ~6.8 dS/m |
| Seeds per kg | 30,000–40,000 |
Export seed standards
Standards below are those written on the ISTA-format test report issued with each export lot. See how purity and germination standards work and how to read the report.
| Parameter | Export standard | Method / note |
|---|---|---|
| Pure seed (purity) | 98.0 % min | ISTA purity analysis on a 4-component working sample |
| Germination | 85 % min | ISTA between-paper or sand test, 4 x 100 seeds, normal seedlings |
| Moisture | 12 % max | ISTA oven method (low-constant temperature, 103 °C, 17 h) |
| Inert matter | 2.0 % max | Chaff, soil, broken pieces smaller than half seed |
| Other crop seed | 0.5 % max | Seeds of any other cultivated species |
| Weed seed | 0.1 % max | By number and identity on the report |
| Grain colour | White, cream or red as ordered | Stated on the packing list |
| Seed treatment | On request | Untreated by default for feed-grade destinations |
Where it is grown
Seed is grown on rainfed and canal-irrigated land in Sindh (Thatta, Badin, Sanghar) and southern Punjab (Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh), sown in March–July and harvested September–November. Lots for sowing are graded over 3 mm screens and tested for germination before shipment from November.
Importing markets: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Chad, Vietnam, Thailand, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico. Sudan, Nigeria and Chad grow it as a staple; Türkiye, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan for poultry and dairy feed grain; Argentina, Brazil and Mexico for feed and dual-purpose stover on marginal land.
Buying notes
Grain Sorghum (Jowar) is exported by Kohenoor International from Karachi and Port Qasim under HS 1007.10. Standard pack is 25 kg; minimum order 1 x 20ft. New-crop seed ships from November. Every shipment carries a phytosanitary certificate (Department of Plant Protection, Pakistan), a certificate of origin, an ISTA-format purity and germination report, packing list and invoice; fumigation certificate and COA on request.
Pricing, samples and shipment planning are handled on the specialist product site: hybridsorghum.com. For loading weights see the container capacity table; for destination paperwork see phytosanitary requirements by destination.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| HS code | 1007.10 |
| Pack | 25 kg |
| Minimum order | 1 x 20ft |
| Purity / germination on report | 98% min / 85% min |
| Shipping terms | FOB or CIF Karachi / Port Qasim |
| Specialist site | hybridsorghum.com |
Frequently asked questions
What grain yield can I expect from open-pollinated sorghum?
Typically 3–5 t/ha under rainfall of 400–600 mm, and 5–7 t/ha with irrigation and 80–100 kg N/ha. Hybrids can add 15–25 % but require fresh seed every season.
White or red grain sorghum?
White types are preferred for food, poultry feed and export grain because they lack tannin. Red types have more tannin, which deters birds and reduces mould but lowers digestibility. Both are available; specify on the order.
Can I ratoon grain sorghum?
In frost-free climates a ratoon crop cut at 15 cm stubble after harvest gives 50–70 % of the main-crop grain in 80–90 days. Ratooning works best with adequate water and early control of shoot fly.
How drought-tolerant is sorghum compared with maize?
Sorghum sets grain on about 400 mm of seasonal water where maize needs 500–600 mm; it rolls its leaves and pauses growth under stress rather than aborting the ear. It also tolerates about twice the soil salinity of maize.
What is the HS code for sorghum seed?
HS 1007.10 for seed for sowing; grain for consumption falls under HS 1007.90. Export lots for sowing carry an ISTA-format germination report.
Need Grain Sorghum (Jowar) seed?
The knowledge base is maintained by Kohenoor International's agronomy team. Quotes for Grain Sorghum (Jowar) are handled by the export desk and the specialist site linked in the buying notes.
export@kohenoorint.com · +92 310 4929292 · Reply within 24 hours