The plant will stop growing in the absence of adequate water, but it won't wilt. It will start growing again when conditions improve. Sorghums need a warm, fertile soil for optimum growth. They are suitable for planting on a wide range of soil types. Because sorghum tolerates droughty conditions, it is suited for planting on coarser textured soils if fertility requirements of the plant are met.
Sorghum also grows well on loam and clay loam soils.
Seed should be treated with a fungicide, such as Captan, to control seed rots and seedling blights. The effectiveness of the seed treatment will be reduced if germination and emergence are delayed due to cold, wet soil conditions. Once the seed germinates growth is normally slow for two to three weeks until the plants become established. Moldboard plowing in the fall or just before planting is recommended where a heavy residue crop such as corn precedes the sorghum. If soybeans or another low residue crop precedes sorghum, fall or spring chisel plowing or disking will prepare an adequate seedbed.