Sorghum of a cultivated nature was known to exist in southern Egypt prior to 6000 BC and records suggest that this crop existed in China some 5000-6000 years ago.
Grain sorghum first was carried into North America from West Africa with the slave trade, along with other grain crops.The Saharan and north-eastern regions of Africa enjoyed a pluvial period (with interruptions) prior to 3000 BC.
The sorghum of those days was doubtless adapted to wetter conditions; many of the wild types still are.
Wild sorghum occurs in Ethiopia up to about 2300 m above sea level. It is fairly common at 1500-1700 m and shatter canes are most serious weed around 1700 m in the central plateau, where they are known as ‘keelo’(the fool).
In about 1857, 16 cultivars of sorgo were brought to the United States from Natal.
The United States, which currently produces approximately 25% of the world’s crop, is a relatively recent sorghum producing country, with the first importation of note in 1853.
Early sorghum development in North America involved natural hybridization.
Deliberate hybridization followed soon thereafter, with some of the earliest crosses being made in 1914.
This was followed with the development of extensive hybridization programs.
Sorghum ranks fifth in acreage and production among major cereal crops on a worldwide basis behind wheat, rice corn and barley.
History of Sorghum
