Optimization plan and precise fertilization strategy for sorghum cultivation in the world's main producing countries
(Combining climate adaptability, soil restoration and functional fertilizer application Summary)
Based on data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and multinational agricultural research institutions, this paper integrates the planting practices of the world’s main sorghum-producing countries (the United States, Nigeria, India, Mexico, Sudan, Ethiopia, etc.) to propose a set of high-yield and efficient fertilization programs with the products of China’s Trelfey fertilizer plant as the core.The plan covers soil improvement, nutrient dynamic management and resilience improvement technologies, combined with the scientific ratio of organic fertilizers, bio-organic fertilizers, NPK water-soluble fertilizers and functional liquid fertilizers, it can achieve an increase in production by 15% to 25%, and an increase in soil organic matter by 0.3% to 0.5%.
NO.1 Overview of global sorghum production and soil pain points
Distribution of main producing countries (data source: FAO 2022)
United States: The planting area is 2.5 million hectares, the average yield is 3.5 tons/ha, the soil pH of the main production area is 6.0-7.5, and zinc and boron deficiencies are common.
Nigeria: Africa’s largest producer, with an acreage of 5.8 million hectares and a yield of only 1.2 tons/ha (soil organic matter <1.5%).
India: Rain-fed areas account for 70%, and soil phosphorus fixation is serious (Olsen-P<10 mg/kg).
Sudan: Sandy soil accounts for 60%, and the ability to retain water and fertilizer is poor.
Common needs
Soil restoration: There is an urgent need to improve organic matter and microbial activity in Africa/South Asia.
Precise nutrient regulation: it is necessary to match the characteristics of sorghum’s “low nitrogen sensitivity and high potassium demand” (N:P₂O₅:K₂O=1:0.5:1.2 ).
Enhanced resilience: cope with drought, salinity and alkali stresses (annual rainfall <600mm in 30% of the world’s sorghum growing areas).
NO.2 Technical advantages of Trelfey products
Product type, core components and functional application scenarios
Organic fertilizer, rotted livestock and poultry manure + straw (organic matter ≥45%) base fertilizer, to enhance soil CEC and water holding capacity
Bio-organic fertilizer adds nitrogen-fixing bacteria and phosphorus-dissolving bacteria (number of live bacteria ≥200 million/g) to continuous cropping barrier areas to reduce chemical nitrogen and phosphorus input
NPK water-soluble fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium + EDTA chelated trace elements (formula can be customized) top dressing, quickly replenish key nutrients
Amino acid liquid fertilizer 18 kinds of L-type amino acids (free amino acids≥100g/L) resist reverse root promotion and relieve saline-alkali/drought stress
Humic acid liquid fertilizer mineral source humic acid (HA≥50g/L) + a large number of elements to improve the saline soil and promote the transport of photosynthetic products
NO.3 Design of phased fertilization plan
- Basal fertilizer stage (15 days before sowing)
Goal: Improve soil structure and provide long-lasting nutrients
Organic fertilizer: 15-20 tons/ha (sandy soil increased to 25 tons), increasing organic matter to the 2% threshold.
Humic acid particles: 300-500 kg/ha, combined with deep plowing (20-30cm), reduce the soil bulk weight by 0.1-0.2 g/cm3.
Bio-organic fertilizer: 1.5 tons/ha, add Trichoderma to the continuous cropping area (inhibit fusarium disease).
Data support: Tests by the Institute of Agriculture (IARI) have shown that organic fertilizer + humic acid-based application can increase the biomass of sorghum root system by 28%.
- Seedling stage top dressing (3-4 leaf stage)
Goal: Promote tillering and strengthen resilience
Urea: 50-80 kg/ha (sandy soil is applied twice), combined with drip irrigation to reduce volatilization.
Amino acid liquid fertilizer (diluted 500 times): 5 L/ha foliar spraying, increase leaf SOD activity by 30%.
Case study: Tests in Shanxi, China, showed that the combination of amino acid fertilizer and urea increased the height of seedlings by 12%.
- Budding period (plant height 50-60cm)
Key needs: balance nitrogen and potassium to prevent lodging
NPK water-soluble fertilizer (20-10-20+TE): 100-150 kg/ha, flushed with water (EC value control <2.5 mS/cm).
Humic acid liquid fertilizer: 10 L/ha, sprayed in concert with insecticides to enhance leaf thickness.
Mechanism: Humic acid complexates aluminum ions through a carboxyl group to reduce aluminum toxicity in acidic soils (such as the Mexican plateau).
- Ear pumping-grouting period
Core strategy: increase potassium and improve quality, prevent premature aging
High-potassium water-soluble fertilizer (12-5-30): 80-120 kg/ha, applied twice.
Fish protein liquid fertilizer (containing K, Mg, B): 8-10 L/ha, increase the protein content of grains by 2%-3%.
Data: In a comparative test in the Gezira irrigation area of Sudan, the weight of a thousand grains in the fish protein treatment group increased by 9.8%.
NO.4 Regional customized solutions
- Drought zone in the Mid-West of the United States
Drip irrigation system: combined with potassium humate liquid fertilizer (5 L/ha/time), the water utilization efficiency is increased by 18%.
Supplementary boron fertilizer: 0.5 kg/ha (basic application) to correct the problem of “false ears”.
- Sahel Region of West Africa
Biochar + organic fertilizer: mixed in a 1:3 ratio to enhance the fertilizer retention capacity of sandy soil.
Salt-resistant liquid fertilizer (containing betaine): 7 L/ha, used when soil EC>4 dS/m.
NO.5 Economic and ecological benefits
Income from increased production: Calculated at the Indian market price, the investment per ha will increase by US1120, and the net income will increase by US2220-300.
Carbon reduction: Bio-organic fertilizer replaces 30% fertilizer and reduces NOO emissions by 0.8-1.2 kg CO equivalent/ha.
Comparison in the test field showed that after the application of humic acid compound fertilizer, the height of the sorghum plant exceeded 3.2 meters, the thickness of the stem reached 1.8 cm, and the resistance to lodging increased by 40%.
The measured production data is amazing–the ears in the fertilized area are 35 cm long, the single ears weigh 150 grams, and the yield per acre is as high as 650 kg, which is 45% higher than that of traditional planting.
Microscopic observations showed that the thickness of the grain starch layer increased by 0.3 mm, the content of amylopectin reached 78% (an increase of 12%), and the quality rating of winemaking jumped by one level.