SORGHUM IS A PROMISING FEED RESOURCE FOR ANIMAL HUSBANDRY IN THE CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE (Review article)

The article is devoted to an overview of trends, volumes and state of sorghum cultivation in Ukraine and on a global scale. Sorghum is one of the most important forage, industrial and food crops, which is characterized by high drought resistance, ecological plasticity and versatility of use. It ranks fifth among the most widespread grain crops in the world, grown in more than 85 countries on an area of about 50 million hectares. The main producers are the United States, Australia, Argentina, China, Mexico and Japan. Ukraine is one of the key European producers of sorghum, actively introducing modern agricultural technologies and increasing its export potential. Despite the temporary reduction in acreage, they are projected to expand significantly in the coming years. Historical aspects of sorghum domestication and the variety of its use are traced. Sorghum has a long history, it was grown in Ancient Egypt more than 3000 years ago. It has spread all over the world, adapting to different climatic conditions. Thanks to breeding achievements, various types of sorghum were bred: grain, sugar, broom and fodder, each of which has its own specific application. The article considers the features and advantages of this promising crop for our climatic conditions. Attention is focused not only on the botanical features of sorghum as a fodder crop in the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine, but also on the diversity of its species forms and hybrids. In particular, the main directions of breeding sugar and grain sorghum are analyzed. A comparative analysis of the chemical components of grain sorghum and the content of individual mineral elements in seeds is carried out. The main advantages of sorghum in terms of its resistance to diseases and pests in comparison with the range of forage crops similar in botanical characteristics are evaluated. The article highlights the experience of specialists in using sorghum in feeding farm animals, and its impact on product quality. In animal husbandry, sorghum is used as a highly nutritious feed containing protein, starch and trace elements, which helps to improve the productivity of livestock. Its grain is actively used in the production of mixed feed, gluten-free products and bioethanol, and green mass for the production of silage.