Harvesting

Harvest the crop at about 35-40 days after flowering of the plants i.e., at physiological maturity of grain (Fig.) where black spot appears on lower end (hylar end ) of the grain. Alternately, the brix of standing crop can be measured using hand refractometer as similar to sugarcane crop. The methodology of pre-harvest crop quality survey and assessment as followed for sugarcane (i.e. use of refractometer) is recommended for sweet sorghum also. Harvest the crop if stalk brix reaches to about 6-18% at physiological maturity of the grain. Additionally, the plants can also be sampled for small mill test (SMT) to know the juice brix and other quality parameters as similar to sugarcane. Cut the plants to the ground level using sickle or knife and remove the leaves including sheaths. Remove panicle with last internode and thresh  the grains separately followed by drying. The freshly cut canes can be made in to small bundles of 10-12 kg and must be transported within 24 hours of harvesting.