Jowar  cake and gluten (Sorghum bicolor)

Common name: Jowar

Local names: Hindi: Jowar Marathi: Jowari

Jowar is mostly cultivated for grain for human consumption and for animal feed. The species originated in Northern Africa and can grow in arid soils and withstand prolonged droughts. Jowar is usually an annual, but some cultivars are perennial. It grows in clumps which may reach upto 4 meters high.

Nutritive value

Jowar cake contains about 10% CP and 67.2% TDN. It is a good source of energy. Jowar gluten contains 39% CP and 65% TDN and is a good  source of energy and protein (Talpada et al., 2002).

Deleterious factor

Jowar cake contains tannin (2.88%). Jowar cake and gluten can be used as animal feed. Both are cheaper than maize cake and maize gluten. But jowar cake is unpalatable to animals so should be fed along with other palatable ingredients. Due to its low CP content, it should be supplemented with other protein rich feeds.