Sorghum Crop for the Low Desert; A Field Day and Workshop
EL CENTRO — Sorghum (Milo), [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a globally important crop, both as forage and a grain crop.
It is naturally gluten-free and the wax surrounding the grain contains policosanols, which may have an important impact on cardiac health. It has a higher maximum temperature threshold and water conservation because of its C4 pathway for carbon dioxide fixation. Therefore, sorghum can be an attractive crop for the low desert because it is productive under comparatively low water and remain productive when exposed to temporal water stresses associated with reduced rainfall or deficit irrigation.
The University of California Cooperative Extension, Imperial County is hosting a half day sorghum crop field day and workshop combination on October 3 from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at its office located at 1050 E. Holton Rd., in Holtville. This event is designed to provide growers and other stakeholders with knowledge of sorghum crop management (variety selection, growth, yield, resource requirements, pests, particularly the Sugarcane aphid, grain eating birds and weed management) and will demonstrate sorghum crop research being conducted at the Desert Research and Extension Center. Indoor workshop presentations will follow. Speakers will include UC Crop science specialists, UC cooperative extension farm advisors and representatives of the industry.
We would like to extend our invitation to everyone at no cost to come and participate, listen and ask questions on various topics related to sorghum and other crops of the low desert. Please RSVP by calling (442) 265-7700 or by emailing Andrea at aiestrada@ucanr.edu.