Not AvailableIn India, the area and production of sorghum during rainy season has been stagnant for the last 9 years. The main reason for this is the poor quality of the grain produced during the rainy season. Heavy rains at the time of crop maturity cause severe damage to the grain quality. The deterioration is caused by infection from a complex of fungi (resulting in moulded grain) and discolouration of the grain due to leaching out of colour from glume. We explored five approaches to manage the mould problem in 18 farmers’ fields each in the districts of Parbhani, Akola (Maharashtra), Mahabubnagar (Andhra Pradesh), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) and Dharwad (Karnataka) of India:
(i) Identification of cultivars for superior grain quality among the released cultivars. (ii) Effect of anti-heating chemicals and fungicides on grain quality in relation to moulds. (iii) Pearling of grain to improve the deteriorated grain. (iv) Identification of grain mould tolerant variety, and (v) Solarization to improve storability of rainy season grain.
Among the released cultivars, CSH 16 was identified for its good quality mould tolerant grain. Its bold, round and lustrous grain fetched up to 21% increased market price than those of other cultivars. Acetic acid treatment was most effective among the anti-heating chemicals. The wet produce treated with acetic acid gave a reduced grain mould score. The market price was improved when normal deteriorated grain was pearled. The high yielding variety SVD 9601 was superior in grain mould tolerance during all the three years when tested under epiphytotic conditions. The technology of solarization of harvested produce and storing in metal bins helped in reducing the insect infestation by about 40%. These technologies can be practiced either independently or in combination. Cultivating good quality high yielding varieties followed by harvesting the produce at physiological maturity with artificial drying and storing the solarized produce in metal bins would be the best package of technology for improving the grain quality of the rainy season produce.Not Availabl
