Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). S. bicolor is an important food crop in Africa, Central America, and South Asia, and is the fifth-most important cereal crop grown in the world. The area planted to sorghum worldwide has increased by 66 percent over the past 50 years, while yield has increased by 244 percent. Other varieties of sorghum are grown for grain or livestock use, but sweet sorghum has a juicier stalk. When stressed by drought or heat, plants can also contain toxic levels of cyanide and nitrates at later stages in growth. This quality has also made it a popular crop in Africa -- where it has been growing for 4,000 years. The starch from sorghum is used in paper and adhesive manufacture. Seventeen of the 25 species are native to Australia,[2][3] with the range of some extending to Africa, Asia, Mesoamerica, and certain islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Sorghum has many health benefits that make it worth including in your diet. Sorghum is increasingly used for the production of ethanol, second only to corn. Sorghum is used to make packaging materials and wallboard. Sorghum May Inhibit Cancer Tumor Growth Compounds in sorghum called 3-Deoxyanthoxyanins (3-DXA) are present in darker-colored sorgums, and to a lesser extent in white sorghum. Tan, cream and white colored sorghum varieties are typically made into flour for the food industry. The plant likely originated in Africa, where it is a major food crop, and has numerous varieties, including grain sorghums, used for food; grass sorghums, grown for hay and fodder; and broomcorn , used in making brooms and brushes. It is high in carbohydrates, with 10 percent protein and 3.4 percent fat, and contains calcium and small amounts of iron, vitamin B1, and niacin. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The Sorghum Checkoff will continue working on behalf of sorghum producers to encourage new … [12][13], Global demand for sorghum increased dramatically between 2013 and 2015 when China began purchasing US sorghum crops to use as livestock feed as a substitute for domestically grown corn. Around half of the sorghum produced is fed to livestock, and half is consumed by humans and used in other applications. Farmers often mix sorghum with other grains to create blends for their livestock. 3. Sorghum syrup and hot biscuits are a traditional breakfast in the Southern United States.Sorghum syrup is also used on pancakes, cornmeal mush, grits and other hot cereals. [4][5] One species is grown for grain, while many others are used as fodder plants, either cultivated in warm climates worldwide or naturalized in pasture lands. Sorghum syrup comes from a plant usually called “sweet sorghum,” a plant popularly grown in climates too hot and dry for corn. In Sahelian Africa, it is primarily used in couscous. One species, Sorghum bicolor, was originally domesticated in Africa and has since spread throughout the globe. Corn is popular for use in breakfast foods.…. The stalks are used as fodder and building materials. For the Ragusan family, see, "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew", "Sorghum laxiflorum and S. macrospermum, the Australian native species most closely related to the cultivated S. bicolor based on ITS1 and ndhF sequence analysis of 28 Sorghum species", "Flora of China Vol. Sorghum is especially valued in hot and arid regions for its resistance to drought and heat. 22 Page 600 高粱属 gao liang shu, "Ecogeographical distribution of wild, weedy and cultivated Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench in Kenya: implications for conservation and crop-to-wild gene flow", "Sorghum- and millet-legume cropping systems", "Flavonoids' presence in sorghum roots may lead to frost-resistant crop", "Move over, quinoa: sorghum is the new 'wonder grain, "Cyanide (prussic acid) and nitrate in sorghum crops Primary industries and fisheries. Sorghum, (Sorghum bicolor), also called great millet, Indian millet, milo, durra, orshallu, cereal grain plant of the grass family and its edible starchy seeds. Some of these species have grown as cereals for human consumption and some in pastures for animals. The flour can be used as a wheat substitute for people on a gluten-free diet. When substituting sorghum in place of sugar, use 1/3 more sorghum than the amount of sugar called for in the recipe and decrease the amount of liquids by 1/3. Sorghum is often used for food, especially in arid countries where sorghum flourishes. But it is also a great addition to anyone’s diet. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. These varieties form important components of forage in many tropical regions. Historians place sorghum as an early staple food in diets across North Africa and the Indian subcontinent, where its edible grains and leaves are used in savory and sweet dishes. Corrections? Sorghum's versatility gives it the flexibility to reach beyond traditional marketplaces, further enhancing producer profitability. Stalks and leaves are coated with a white wax, and the pith, or central portion, of the stalks of certain varieties is juicy and sweet. Updates? Sorghum is a genus of flowering plants in the grass family Poaceae, which includes about 25 species. In India sorghum is known as jowar, cholam, or jonna, in West Africa as Guinea corn, and in China as kaoliang. One species, Sorghum bicolor, native to Africa with many cultivated forms now, is an important crop worldwide, used for food (as grain and in sorghum syrup or "sorghum molasses"), animal fodder, the production of alcoholic beverages, and biofuels. Sorghum is a naturally gluten-free ingredient perfect for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities. It originated in Africa before traveling to Asia, Europe, and North America. One species, Sorghum bicolor,[7] native to Africa with many cultivated forms now,[8] is an important crop worldwide, used for food (as grain and in sorghum syrup or "sorghum molasses"), animal fodder, the production of alcoholic beverages, and biofuels. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Just as the soybean was used for many centuries in Asia before its introduction into the Western world, so sorghum was a major crop in Africa.... Just as the soybean was used for many centuries in Asia before its introduction into the Western world, so sorghum was a major crop in Africa. The characteristic strong flavour can be reduced by processing. 2 Sorghum syrup is made by cooking the juice from the stalk of the plant, evaporating the water and concentrating the sweetness. Around the world, sorghum is already used for building materials like fencing, a plywood-like product and as a binder in wallboard. Seventeen of the 25 species are native to Australia, with the range of some extending to Africa, Asia, Mesoamerica, and certain islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Around the end of World War I, refined sugar products became more readily available and less expensive, thus causing a decline in the use of sorghum as a sweetener. China purchased around $1 billion worth of American sorghum per year until April 2018 when China imposed retaliatory duties on American sorghum as part of the trade war between the two countries. Grain sorghum is harvested for the seed. Sorghum is also used for new and expanding markets such as building material, fencing, floral arrangements, pet food, brooms and more. In North America, sorghum cropped up in the late 1800s, eaten as a whole food and made into syrup. Sorghum is an excellent substitute for wheat, rye and barley for those who cannot tolerate gluten. [14], This article is about the plant genus. [10][11], In the early stages of the plants' growth, some species of sorghum can contain levels of hydrogen cyanide, hordenine, and nitrates which are lethal to grazing animals. According to the Sorghum Grower’s Association, the most common use for sorghum in the United States is as feed for livestock. It is commonly eaten as a cereal grain in Africa. Queensland Government", "Sorghum, targeted by tariffs, is a U.S. crop China started buying only five years ago", FAO Report (1995) "Sorghum and millets in human nutrition", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sorghum&oldid=994667665, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 16 December 2020, at 22:24. Sorghum is gluten free and provides a fantastic option for those with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivities. Popped sorghum is a low calorie, nutrient-packed addition to snack bars and granola or used as a garnish on salads, desserts and more. of the millet and sorghum families was first developed in the northern savanna. Omissions? Tropical cereals spread from Central Africa not…, …may also be applied to sorghum, wheat, and rice. [6] Sorghum is in the subfamily Panicoideae and the tribe Andropogoneae (the tribe of big bluestem and sugarcane). Like many other ancient grains, sorghum is packed with healthy nutrients and offers several health benefits. When using sorghum instead of molasses, use an equal amount of sorghum but cut the amount of sugar, since sorghum is … Much of the sorghum which is made into ethanol is grown in Kansas. One species, Sorghum bicolor, was originally domesticated in Africa and has since spread throughout the globe. Overview Information Sorghum is a grain. Use sorghum flour in breads, cookies, cakes and waffles. Whole grain sorghum can be milled into a flour, similar to traditional flour, with a slightly sweet, nutty flavor and can be used to make a number of gluten-free baked goods. Red, orange or bronze sorghum are very versatile and can be used in all segments of the sorghum industry. The flour has gluten-free properties and is a substitute for wheat, rye, and barley. The protein, along with complex carbohydrates, and B-complex vitamins, make this a high-energy grain, helping you feel fuller longer and providing the fuel you need throughout the day. The plant likely originated in Africa, where it is a major food crop, and has numerous varieties, including grain sorghums, used for food; grass sorghums, grown for hay and fodder; and broomcorn, used in making brooms and brushes. Scientists at the University of Missouri tested extracts of black, red, and white sorghums and found that all three extracts had strong antiproliferative activity against human colon cancer cells. It can be used as a cooking ingredient with a similar sweetening effect as molasses, though blackstrap molasses still has a higher nutritional value than sorghum syrup in most regards. The leaves are about 5 cm (2 inches) broad and 76 cm (2.5 feet) long. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. As mentioned below, sorghum is used for food and feed. Sorghum is used in florals, birdseed and deer feeders. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Other varieties of sorghum are grown for grain or livestock use, but sweet sorghum has a juicier stalk. Because it is naturally gluten-free, it is a great alternative grain for those who have wheat allergies or sensitivities. Some of these species have grown as cereals for human consumption and some in pastures for animals. Sorghum Syrup A natural sweetener created from juice squeezed from the stalks of a special variety of sweet sorghum. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/plant/sorghum-grain, The Whole Grains Council - Sorghum June Grain of the Month, Purdue University - Center for New Crops and Plant Products - Sorghum, sorghum - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), sorghum - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). The sorghum plant, which is a grass, arrived with the African slave trade and spread throughout the American south due to its resilience against hot temperatures and dry conditions. The seed and leaves are also sometimes used to make medicine. First and foremost, in the United States, sorghum is used as livestock feed and turned into ethanol. One species is grown for grain, while … The majority are used to feed animals or get processed into secondary products like alcohol and sorghum syrup. There are over 30 different species of sorghum native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world. It's a popular crop to grow within the drier regions of the States because it is drought resistant. Sorghum is a genus of flowering plants in the grass family Poaceae, which includes about 25 species. In North America, sorghum is commonly used in animal feed and ethanol fuel production. The grain is also used in making edible oil, starch, dextrose (a sugar), paste, and alcoholic beverages. Sorghum is of a lower feed quality than corn (maize). The tiny flowers are produced in panicles that range from loose to dense; each flower cluster bears 800–3,000 kernels. Currently, most human consumption of sorghum occurs in lo… Black and burgundy varieties contain beneficial antioxidant properties and are used in other food applications. The seed is ground into flour and used for baking cookies, cakes, and other items. The seeds vary widely among different types in colour, shape, and size, but they are smaller than those of wheat. Most varieties are drought- and heat-tolerant, and nitrogen-efficient,[9] and are especially important in arid regions, where the grain is one of the staples for poor and rural people. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), also known as milo, has a variety of uses including food for human consumption, feed grain for livestock and industrial applications such as ethanol production. For human consumption, the gluten-free grain is usually ground into a meal that is made into porridge, flatbreads, and cakes. Millet farming became particularly successful in the tropics because, unlike wheat and barley, it did not require the long daylight hours of summer that occur in the temperate climes. Sorghum seeds can also be popped like popcorn to create a delicious snack food. Sorghum is used to make both leavened and unleavened bread. Sorghum syrup -- sometimes called sorghum molasses -- has long been a favorite sweetener in the South, and it was particularly popular during the 1800s and early 1900s. Horses, cattle, pigs and chickens all commonly eat sorghum feed. This grain is a good source of protein, iron, and fiber, making it beneficial to our bones, immune system, and digestion. Sorghum is a strong grass and usually grows to a height of 0.6 to 2.4 metres (2 to 8 feet), sometimes reaching as high as 4.6 metres (15 feet). Sorghum, (Sorghum bicolor), also called great millet, Indian millet, milo, durra, orshallu, cereal grain plant of the grass family (Poaceae) and its edible starchy seeds. Sweet sorghums, or sorgos, are grown mainly in the United States and southern Africa for forage and for syrup manufacture and are sometimes used in the production of ethyl alcohol for biofuel. It can be used to make couscous, molasses, porridge and ground into sorghum flour. Sorghum is an ancient, 100 percent whole grain kernel that is ground into a fine flour that can be used in various ways for cooking and baking. For the principal modern crop species, see, "Sorgo" redirects here. Various fermented and unfermented beverages are made from sorghum. Sorghum grass “grains” are the key ingredient in white grain sorghum extract. Breads, cookies, cakes and waffles, molasses, porridge and ground into sorghum flour where has. And determine whether to revise the article wheat substitute for wheat, rye and for. 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