Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why is sorghum useful in hot and dry regions?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

A large red and yellow combine harvester cuts through a golden wheat field, leaving neat rows of harvested grain behind. — Cereal farming Combine harvesting wheat.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is highly valued in hot and arid regions primarily due to its inherent resistance to both heat and drought.1

As a drought-resistant crop, sorghum employs specific biological mechanisms to survive in environments with limited moisture:

Transpiration Control: The plant is able to reduce transpiration, which is the process by which moisture is emitted from the plant.2
Growth Regulation: During periods of severe moisture shortage, sorghum can nearly cease its growth, effectively entering a dormant-like state. It then resumes development once environmental conditions become favorable again.2
Physical Adaptations: The stalks and leaves of the plant are coated with a white wax, which helps the plant manage its internal moisture levels.1

These characteristics make sorghum an essential crop for dry farming, where cultivation occurs without irrigation in areas with limited annual precipitation.2