The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1911-10-12
GRAINS SORGHUM CROP
Two Ways by Which It Can Be
Made Of Greater Value.
Most Useful In Regions Where Mols-
ture 10 often Controlling Factor
In Crop Production - Are
Drought Resistant.

CBy CARLETON II. BALL. Bureau OF
Plant Industry. Y. s. Department OF Az
riculture.)
In general there are two ways by
which the grain-sorghum crops can be
made of greater value to the grower.
The first is by improving the varie-
ties; the second, by finding more rap
Id and economical methods OF har-
vesting. Improved varieties can be
obtained through selection OF present
sorts and by bettering the methods OF
growing them. More rapid and eco
either through adapting the crops to
present machinery or through the in
.yention of new machines, or both.
There are five principal ways in
which Improvement may be made:
p) Increased drought resistance,
(2) increased earllness, (3) dwarfer
stature, (I) greater productlveness.
and 90 increased machine harvest
ing.
The grain sorghums are most use
ful In regions where moisture Is often
the controlling factor In crop pro-
duction. Much good should therefore
be accomplished by increasing their
drought resistance, especially in the
areas OF lighter rainfall
No one knows exactly what drought
resistance is. II is probable that
what we call drought resistance is
the effect of several different factors.
The most important OF these factors
are probably % increased ability to
/ prevent the loss OF water by transpi-
ration, (2) increased development of
the root system, and (3) a possible
increase In power to extract water
from n dry soil
Differences in the power TO control
Transportation are well-known and
readily observed facts. BY transpira-
tion is meant the passing OF water
1 from the tissues of the plant into the
air In the processes of their growth
| all plants are constantly absorbing
water from the soil through their
rootlets and allowing certain quauti-
! ties Of this moisture to pass out into
| the air through minute pores, called
stomata. This is done In much the
same manner as water escapes
through the animal skin in the form
of perspiration. In times OF drought
II is important that the plant lose as
little as possible of its water supply
In this way. The plant best fitted 70
prevent Transportation is thus the most
drought resistant In cacti, for in
stance, this ability is highly perfect
ed. Corn is much less drought resist
ant than the members OF the various
groups of sorghums. Corn is in dan
ger when the leaves begin to curl
but sorghums often remain in this
condition for a long time without per
manent injury.
The size and character OF the roo,
system is probably a strong factor II
drought resistance. The larger tho
root system in proportion TO the plan
the better II can supply moisture. The
wider and deeper its penetration, tn,
larger the area OF soil from which Il
draws moisture In times of drought
A deeply roofing plant may be abl,
to secure water when shallow roo
systems lie wholly In dry soil. Thii
is entirely apart from possible diff
ferences In ability to secure moistur,
from given unit of soil. Such differ
ences may exist, but the idea is onl,
theory as yet. Unfortunately, tn,
character of the root system canno
be observed while making observa
lions.