) I $ Agricultural Research Center, Ona *
O Research Report RC-1978-3 January 1978
EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRIDS
AT ONA, IMMOKALEE AND DADE COUNTY, 1977
1/
R. S. Kalmbacher, P. H. Everett, C. Chambliss, and V. E. Green, Jr.-
Grain sorghums have the potential of producing 3-4 tons of grain per
acre in south central Florida. This grain may be harvested 110-120 days
after seeding. When comparing corn grown for grain with grain sorghums,
research has indicated that grain sorghums may be better suited for grain
production because wet weather inflate June and early July increases corn
lodging, whereas lodging would be less of a problem with the short, dwarf
grain-sorghum hybrids. Grain sorghums can tolerate lmwer soil moisture
levels, and they require less fertilization than corn.
In order to determine adaptability and productivity of new grain sorghum
hybrids, which are constantly being released, it is necessary that these hybrids
be tested under south central Florida conditions. The purpose of this public-
ation is to present comparative data on the various hybrids tested at Ona,
Immokalee and Dade County. Where trade names are used no discrimination or
endorsement is intended.
) Methods of Procedure
At the Ona Agricultural Research Center (ARC), 42 commercial grain sorghum
hybrids were seeded at 16 Ib/A in 18" row spacings on March 3, 1977. At
the Immokalee ARC, 16 hybrids were seeded at 16 Ib/A on 30" row spacings on
March 2, 1977. In Dade County on the Warren Woods farm sorghums were seeded
at 10 Ib/A in rows 36" apart on May 20, 1977. Sorghums followed a spring crop
of tomatoes. The experimental designs were randomized complete blocks, which
contained 4 reps.
Fertilization practices at Ona consisted of the applications of 0-92-184
Ib/A of N-P 05-K20, resp., which was broadcast and disked into the seedbed.
After seedlIng emergence 50 Ib N was applied per acre. When plants were
16-18" tall, 100 Ib/A N was applied. At Immokalee 0-100-200 Ib/A was applied
prior to seeding. Nitrogen was applied 50 Ib/A after emergence and 100 Ib N/A
was applied when plants were 16-18" tall. In Dade county 60-120-120 lbs/A of
N-P205-K20 was applied 18 days after seeding.
SAssistant Agronomist, Agricultural Research Center, Ona; Professor,
Agricultural Research Center, Immokalee; Extension .gr-en t
Agricultural Research and Education Center, Bradento i ssb A
Department of Agronomy, University of Florida, Gairesvile Florida.
SJUL 1 0 1978
I.F.A.S. Univ. of Florida
2
2 (R
Weed control at Ona and'Immokalee consisted. of the application of AAtrex(R)
at 2 Ib/A of a.i. pre-emergence applied. Paraquat at k Ib ion/A was post-
directed sprayed when plants were 16-18" tall. No herbicides were applied on
the Dade county site, but the experiment was cultivated once. The Dade
county experiment was treated with Disyston at a rate of 1 quart of.material/
A to control midge.
The Ona experiment was irrigated with an overhead system and 10.7 inches
were applied. A seepage system was used at Immokalee.. The Dade county
experiment was not watered.
Results and Discussion
Ona-ARC
Sorghums were harvested on June 24, 113 days after seeding. There were
significant differences in the dry yields of the grain produced (Table 1).
Yield ranged from 6840 lbs/A produced by N.K. Savanna 5 to a low of 3230 lb/A
from McCurdy Birds off-81. Yield averaged 4850 Ibs/A.
Average yields from the years 1973-1977 are presented in table 2.
Test results from a single year may not be a reliable criterion for selecting
a hybrid. Asgrow Dorado M has been tested for 5 years and consistently has
proved to be one of the better hybrids. Tests show that Dekalb E-59, Young
(FMC) Oro-T, Dekalb BR-64 and Dekalb D-60 are also reliable, high yielding
varieties.
Bird damage to the heads at maturity was not a problem in the 1977
season. Little or no damage was found at harvest (Table 3). Diseases
affecting the entire plant anthracnosee and Helminthosporium spp.) were
a major consideration. Hybrids such as Funks BR-79, Asgrow Dorado M, ,Acco
BR-Y93, Dekalb D-46, N.K. NK 2778, T.E. Hondo, and Acco DR 1085 were all
rated at 6 to 7 on the disease rating scale. With this scale a rating of
10 means 100% of the leaf area was diseased. Undoubtedly, disease seriously
affected grain yield.
Immokalee-ARC.
Significant differences in yield were found among the 16 entries tested
(Table 4). Yield ranged from a high of 4960 Ibs/A (Growers GSA 1334 BR)
to a low 2430 (Young (FMC) Early Oro). Yield averaged 3580 Ibs/A. Immokalee
yields were lowered due to drought when the irrigation well failed in mid-
April. Moisture or fertility stress during the time when plants are in the
seedling stage or.at pollination can have dramatic effects on yield, particularly
if the stress is prolonged.
Bird damage was not a problem in 1977 (Table 5). Incidence of disease
was particularly great among the following hybrids: Funks G-589 and Funks
G-623 and N.K. NK 2778.
Dade County
Grain yields were significantly different among the 22 hybrids tested.
Yield ranged from a high of. 2660 lbs/A (Pioneer 8225) to a low 1330 Ibs/A
(Dekalb E-57). Yield averages were very low at this location. This does
not indicate that grain sorghums do not have potential, but that management
practices must be improved.
In Dade County sorghums were planted late in the season, thus plants
developed in hot-moist summer conditions which were conducive to disease.
Most importantly, the grain ripened during a period of high rainfall. If
the grain ripens during very wet weather, the probability of seed germina-
tion while the grain is still in the inflorescence, is increased. This was
the case with these sorghums harvested in late summer. The ripening of
grain during wet weather also increases the incidence of head mildew,
which can lower grain quality.
Summary
There were significant differences in yield among the 42 grain sorghums
grown at the Ona ARC. Grain yields ranged from 6840 to 3230 lbs/A and
averaged 4850. At the Immokalee ARC significant differences were also found,
but yields averaged only 3580 Ibs/A.
Dade County hybrid-yields were seriously lowered by wet weather at
the time of grain ripening. Seed had germinated in the head or inflorescence.
High yielding hybrids produced only 2100 to 2600 Ibs of grain/acre.
Table 1. Grain yields (dry in Ibs/acre) of grain sorghum hybrids grown
at the Ona ARC, 1977.
Brand
N.K.
Dekalb
Growers
Dekalb
Acco
Funks
Young (Surgro) (FjiC)
Asgrow
Funks
Dekalb
Pioneer
Growers
Acco
T.E.
Acco
McCurdy
Pioneer
Dekalb
Dekalb
Funks
Funks
T.E.
N.K.
Young (Surgro)(FMC)
Young (Surgro)(FMC)
R.A. (XL)
Funks
T.E.
Acco
N.K.
Dekalb
T.E.
Young (Surgro)(FMC)
McCurdy
Funks
Acco
Dekalb
Funks
Young (Surgro)(FMC)
Funks
Funks
McCurdy
+ Means followed by the
Duncan's LSD, K=100.
Hybrid Grain Yield (Ib/A-dry).
Savanna 5 6840 a
D-60 6220 ab
GSA-1334 BR 5920 ab
BR-64 5910 abc
1090 5860 a-d
BR 79 5660 a-e
Oro-T 5590 a-f
Dorado-M 5410 b-g
G-516 BR 5330 b-h
E-59 5310 b-i
8272 5270 b-i
ML-135 5240 b-i
R-1029 A 5230 b-i
Y-101-R 5.190 b-i
BR-Y93 5160 b-j
Birds-off-91 5160 b-j
8225 5080 b-j
D-55 4990 b-j.
D-46 4960 b-j
G-623 GBR 4930 b-k
G-522 4880 c-k
Bird-a-boo-2 4860 c-k
NK 2778 4830 c-k
Early-Oro 4800 c-i
Oro-DR 4780 c-i
RA Bird Go 68 4770 c-1
G-622 4600 c-1
Hondo 4570 d-1
D-2912 4550 e-m
NK 2279 4510 f-m
BR 65 4440 f-n
Total-R 4400 f-n
Oro-Y 4360 f-n
M 51 YG 4280 g-n
G 722 DR 4130 h-n
DR 1085 4080 h-n
F-67 4050 i-n
G 589 3860 j-n
Oro 3650 k-n
G 522 DR 3500 1-n
G 642 GBR 3250 mn
Birds-off-81 3230 n
same letter are not significantly different.
Date Seeded: March 3, 1977. Row Spacing: 18"
Fertilization: 0-92-184 Ibs/A N-P 05-K20, resp. 50 Ib N/A after emergence;
100 Ibs N/A when plants 16-18" tall.
Herbicide: AAtrex @ 2 Ib a.i./A. Paraquat @ k lb acid/A, post-directed
when plants 16-18" tall.
Irrigation: Overhead (10.7 applied.) Date Harvested: June 24, 1977.
Table 2. Average grain yields
grown at the Ona ARC
(dry in Ibs/acre) of grain sorghum hybrids
in the years 1973-1977.
Brand
Grown for 5
Asgrow
Grown any
Dekalb
Funks
R.A.
Grown any
Young (FMC)
Dekalb
Funks
T.E.
Grown any
Dekalb
Acco
Dekalb
* Funks
T.E.
Dekalb
Funks
Young (FMC)
Young (FMC)
Average
Hybrid
years 1973-1977.
Dorado M
4 years 1973-1977.
E-59
G-516 BR
Bird-Go-68
3 years 1973-1977.
Oro-T
BR-64
BR-79
Y-101-R
2 years 1973-1977.
D-60
BR-Y93
BR-64
G589
Hondo
F-67
G 722 DR
Oro
Oro-Y
Grain production (Ib/A, dry weight)
1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 Ave.
5110 5120 5530 6070 5410 5450
5400
5830
6670
5500
6260
5260
4480
4920
5390
4940
4000
4330
4550
5020
4490
3470
5900
5230
5150
5130
5400
6640
5900
6120
5190
4560
5310
5330
4770
5590
5910
5660
5190
6220
5160
5910
3860
4570
4050
4130
3650
4360
5500
5190
5060
5800
5600
5300
4810
6430
5530
5230
4990
4800
4620
4350
4070
3920
5800 4950 4640 5570 5000
Seeding date: 1973, 3-13; 1974, 3-6; 1975, 3-13; 1976, 3-12; 1977, 3-3.
Table 3. Agronomic characteristics of grain sorghum hybrids grown at the
Ona ARC, 1977.
Brand
N.K.
Dekalb
Growers
Dekalb
Acco
Funks
Young (FMC)
Asgrow
Funks
Dekalb
Pioneer
Growers
Acco
T.E.
Acco
McCurdy
Pioneer
Dekalb
Dekalb
Funks
Funks
T.E.
N.K.
Young (FMC)
Young (FMC)
R.A.
Funks
T.E.
Acco
N.K.
Dekalb
T.E.
Young (FMC)
McCurdy
Funks
Acco
Dekalb
Funks
Young (FMC)
Funks
Funks
McCurdy
Hybrid
SSavanna 5
D-60
GSA-1334-BR
BR-64
1090
BR-79
Oro-T
Dorado M
G-516 BR
E-59
8272
ML-135
R 1029 A
Y-101-R
BR-Y93
Birds-off-91
8225
D-55
D-46
G-623-GBR
G-522
Bird-a-boo-2
NK 2778
Early Oro
Oro-DR
RA Bird-Go-68
G-622
Hondo
D-2912
NK 2279
BR 65
Total R
Oro-Y
1I 51 YG
G722 DR
DR 1085
F-67
G-589
Oro
G 522 -DR
G-642 GBR
Birds-off-81
Plant ht.
-inches-
60
45
44
53
47
49
48
42
45
46
42
42
43
42
42
46
53
46
49
42
41
46
41
43
45
37
44
38
38
36
48
44
43
36
45
44
37
42
42
41
44
42
Bird
Damage
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Head
Type
compact
semi-open
semi-open
semi-open
semi-open
open
semi-open
semi-open
open
semi-open
semi-open
semi-open
semi-open
semi-open
semi-open
semi-open
compact
semi-open
semi-open
semi-open
semi-open
open
semi-open
open
open
compact
semi-open
compact
semi-open
semi-open
compact
semi-open
open
semi-open
compact
semi-open
semi-open
semi-open
semi-open
compact
open
semi-open
+ Disease rated
Diseases mainly anthracnose and Helminthosporium spp.
Disease+
2
3
3
2
4
6
3.
6
3
2
5
4
5
4
6
3
2
6
6
5
4
4
6
5
5
2
5
7
5
4
5
4
3
4
4
6
4
7
4
4
2
4
0
on a scale 1 to 10. 1=none. 10=100% leaf area affected.
Table 4. Grain yields (dry in 1-s/acre) of grain sorghum
at the ImmokaleeARCG 1977.
hybrids grown
Brand
Growers
Dekalb
T.E.
Funks
Asgrow
McCurdy
Dekalb
Pioneer
Funks
Acco
Dekalb
Young (FMC)
N.K.
Acco
Funks
Young (FMC)
Hybrid'
GSA 1334 BR
D-60
Bird-a-boo-2
G-589
Dorado M
Birds-off-81
BR-65
8225
G-623 GBR
R 1090
E-59
Oro-Y
NK 2778
R 1029A
G-722 DR
Early Oro
Grain Yield (Ib/A dry)
4960
4349
4270
4080
4070
4020
3660
3500
3440
3320
3270
3140
3080
3010
2640
2430
ab
ab
abc
a-d
a-d
a-d
b-e
b-f
b-f
b-f
b-f
c-f
def
def
ef
f
SMeans followed by the same letter are not significantly different.
Duncan's LSD, K=100.
Date Seeded: March 2, 1977.
Row Spacing: 30"
Fertilization: 0-100-200 Ibs/acre of N-P 0 -K 0, resp.
emergence; 100 Ibs N/A when plants 16-18 talM.
50 Ibs N/A after
Herbicide: AAtrex @ 2 Ib a.i./acre pre-emergence applied. Paraquat @
4 lb ion/A, post-directed when plants 16-18".
Irrigation: Seepage.
Date of Harvest: July 6, 1977.
Table 5. Agronomic characteristics of grain sorghum
Immokalee ARC, 1977.
hybrids grown at the
Brand
Growers
Dekalb
T.E.
Funks
Asgrow
McCurdy
Dekalb
Pioneer
Funks
Acco
Dekalb
Young (FMC)
N.K.
Acco
Funks
Young (FMC)
Hybrid.'.: .-
GSA 1334 BR
D-60
Bird-a-boo-2
G-589
Dorado M
Birds-off-81
BR-65
8225
G-623 GBR
R 1090
E-59
Oro-Y
NK 2778
R 1029A
G-722 DR
Early Oro
Plant ht.
-inches-
50
55
46
41
53
43
46
49
48
45
58
46
41
44
50
46
Bird
Damage
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Head
SDisease
Type Disease
open ; -
semi-open-
open,
semi-open
open
open
compact
compact
open
open
semi-open
open
semi-open
open
compact
open
+ Disease rated on a scale 1 to 10. 1=none; 10=100% leaf area affected.
Diseases mainly anthracnose and Helminthosporium spp.
Table 6. Grain yields (dry in lbs/acre) of grain sorghum hybrids grown
at Dade C'ounty, Florida, 1977.
Brand
Pioneer
Dekalb
Young (FMC)
Growers
Asgrow
N.K.
Dekalb
Young (FMC)
Dekalb
Young (FMC)
N.K.
N.K.
Growers
McCurdy
Young (FImC)
Acco
Dekalb
Dekalb
Pioneer
Young (FMC)
Dekalb
Dekalb
Hybrid
8225
BR-64
Early Oro
GSA 1334 BR
Dorado M
Savanna 3
E-59
Oro-Y
F-67
Oro-DR
NK 2778
NK 2779
Exp. 73022
M 51YG
Oro
DR 1085
D-55
D-60
8272
Oro-T
C-42C
E-57
Grain Yield
2660
2560
2480
2330
2280
2280
2270
2170
2120
2110
2060
2060
2030
1990
1870
1770
1720
1630
1510
1460
1360
1330
(lb/A-dry)
a
ab
abc
a-d
a-e
a-e
a-e
a-e
a-f
a-g
a-g
a-g
a-g
b-h
c-i
d-i
d-i
e-i
f-i
g-i
hi
i
+ Means followed by the same letter are
Duncan-' LSD, K=100.
not significantly different.
Date Seeded: May 20, 1977
Row Spacing: 36"
Fertilization: 60-120-120 Ibs/A of N-P 05-K20.
Herbicide: None
Insecticide: Disyston applied July 22, 1977 at a rate of 1 quart of material
per acre to control midges.
Irrigation: None.
Date Harvested: September 1, 1977.
--
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