SORGHUM RATOONING

Ratooning is where a farmer gets more than one harvest from a single sowing. This is achieved by cutting the sorghum stalks to the ground level without removing the rooting system. When the roots from the previous season’s crop are in contact with some moisture, they produce tillers; which grow into full size plants.

A ratoon crop compared to a newly sown crop has an established root system which will utilize the available water in the root zone for crop growth early in the season, reduce plowing and planting labor and avoid migratory quelea birds in August by maturing early. To make best use of sorghum, this practice is preferred where environmental factors prohibit continuous cropping throughout the year.

Ratooning is important because starter water is reduced i.e. very little rainfall is required for the commencement of seed germination, crop growth and development hence the crop matures earlier. Yields per unit are reduced but not significantly when compared to yield from direct sowed seeds.