Sorghum Ruzrok

A Cost-Effective Cover Crop with Fumigant Benefits and Pest Control Potential

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), a versatile and resilient crop, has been widely recognized for its applications in agriculture. The Czech-bred variety Ruzrok offers unique benefits as a cover crop, particularly its potential as an affordable fumigant and its ability to deter pests such as mice. Beyond its value as a cover crop, Ruzrok is also highly versatile, with uses ranging from silage and multi-cut silage production to grain harvesting.

Natural Fumigation Properties

Ruzrok, the first Czech sorghum variety, was developed for high biomass production and adaptability to central European climates. Selected from genetic material in the Bílé Karpaty region, it combines desirable traits such as early maturity, tall growth, and rapid biomass accumulation. One of Ruzrok's standout features is its ability to release dhurrin, a cyanogenic glucoside, which hydrolyzes into hydrogen cyanide (HCN) under certain conditions. This characteristic gives Ruzrok a natural fumigation effect, which can suppress soil-borne pests and pathogens. A recent study revealed that the dhurrin content in Ruzrok changes throughout its growth cycle, with peak levels occurring in early growth stages. By timing biomass incorporation into the soil appropriately, farmers can leverage this fumigant effect to reduce pest pressures, providing an eco-friendly alternative to chemical soil treatments.

Pest Deterrence: A Solution for Rodent Control

In addition to its fumigant effect, Ruzrok has shown potential in deterring pests like mice. The presence of dhurrin and its breakdown into HCN creates an environment that is unfavorable for rodents, which are often a major concern in fields. This dual functionality enhances Ruzrok's value as a multipurpose cover crop that not only improves soil health but also mitigates pest-related losses.

Ruzrok’s versatility extends beyond its role as a cover crop:

• Silage Production: Ruzrok can be efficiently harvested for silage, providing high-quality forage for livestock.

• Multi-Cut Silage: Its ability to regrow after cutting makes it suitable for multi-cut silage systems, enhancing forage availability over multiple harvests in a single growing season.

• Grain Production: In addition to forage uses, Ruzrok produces high-quality grain suitable for processing into flour or feed once tannin-rich layers are removed