Wednesday, November 7, 2007
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Atlas of Sorghum Production in Five Countries of Eastern Africa.

Charles Wortmann1, Martha Mamo1, Girma Abebe2, Christopher Mburu3, Kayuki Kaizzi4, Elias Letayo5, and Soares Xerinda6. (1) University of Nebraska, 279 Plant Science, Lincoln, NE 68583-0915, (2) EIAR, Melkassa Agricutural Research Center, Narareth, Ethiopia, (3) Kenya ARI, Kakamega ARI, Kakamega, Kenya, (4) National Agricultural Research Organization, Kampala, Uganda, (5) Department of Agricultural Research and Development, Hombolo Research Center, Dodoma, Tanzania, (6) INIA, Maputo, Mozambique

Grain sorghum is a major crop in many parts of Africa. It is noted for its versatility, diversity, and wide range of adaptation. Sorghum is primarily a crop of resource-poor, small-scale farmers and is typically produced under adverse conditions such as low input use and marginal lands. There are numerous biotic and abiotic constraints to production. The grain and stover have many uses localized preferences. Much information is needed to effectively address the problems and opportunities of this diverse crop. The Atlas of Sorghum Production in Five Countries of Eastern Africa presents information on sorghum in eastern Africa to serve information needs of researchers, extension and rural development specialists, policy makers, and emergency relief personnel. Numerous researchers and others knowledgeable of sorghum in their respective countries contributed information and expert opinions to develop the Atlas. The Atlas presents information in maps and tables for 30 sorghum production areas in five countries addressing production constraints, cropping systems, management, uses of grain and stover, phenotype preferences, gender roles, and marketing. The atlas is available at www.intsormil.org.