Abstract

Periamanjal Cholam is the most important unirrigated variety of Sorghum grown in the Coimbatore district. It is grown in the taluks of Coimbatore, Palladam and also parts of Avanashi, Dharapuram and Erode and occupies an area of about a lakh of acres. Botanically, Periamanjal Cholam belongs to the species Sorghum durra, vari Coimbatoricum (Snowden). It has yellow grains and it is much valued as food. This variety grows very tall, attaining a height of 10 to 12 feet. The straw is the mainstay of cattle in this area. Sown in the months of July-August with the break of the south-west monsoon, it comes to harvest in December-January. The Tamil prefix "Peria" denotes the long duration (135 days) of this variety, distinguishing it from the "Chinna" Manjal Cholam which is a short duration variety grown under irrigation. In normal seasons, Periamanjal Cholam yields 600 to 800 lb. of grain and about 3,000 to 4,000 lb. of dry straw per acre. The straw is pithy, but sweet and nourishing. The problem of improving the fodder of Periamanjal by in introducing juiciness into the straw was taken up at the Millet Breeding Station, Coimbatore, as an item in the improvement of the Sorghums of the Madras State..

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