Grain sorghum performance trials in Oklahoma, 2007

              GRAIN SORGHUM PERFORMANCE
TRIALS IN OKLAHOMA, 2007
PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY CROPS
OKLAHOMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
DEPARTMENT OF PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCES
DIVISION OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES & NATURAL RESOURCES
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
PT 2007-10 November 2007 Vol. 19, No.10
Rick Kochenower
Area Research and Extension Specialist
Plant and Soil Sciences Department
Roger Gribble
Area Agronomist NW
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
TRIAL OBJECTIVES AND PROCEDURES
Each year, performance trials for hybrid grain sorghum are conducted by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service to provide producers, extension educators, industry representatives, and researchers with information for hybrid grain sorghums marketed in Oklahoma.
Performance trials are conducted at eight locations in Oklahoma: Altus, Blackwell, Cherokee, Enid, Goodwell, Homestead, Keyes, and Tipton. Dryland trials are conducted at all locations, with an additional limited irrigation trial at Goodwell. The Cherokee and Homestead locations are uniquely designed trials to evaluate certain hybrids (generally early and medium maturity) for planting in late April. In 2004 a trial was established at Enid to evaluate hybrids for use as a double crop. Due to rainfall, the Enid trial was not planted in 2007. All trial locations also have DK-44 and KS 585 planted with and without (WO) seed applied insecticide to determine the effect of
these treatments on grain yield.
Grain sorghum hybrids entered (Table 1) were assigned by companies to their respective maturity groups (early, medium, and late) and trial locations therefore, all hybrids were not entered at all locations. Hybrids tested at the Cherokee, Homestead, and Enid locations were determined by Oklahoma State University. Companies submitted all hybrid characteristics presented in Table 1. This information was not determined or verified by Oklahoma State University. Company participation was voluntary therefore some hybrids marketed in Oklahoma were not included in the test. Each maturity group was tested in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Plots were two 30-inch rows by 25 feet. Plots were trimmed to 20 feet prior to harvest. Tractor powered cone planters were used to plant all trials with seeding rates adjusted for trial location. Trials were harvested with a Massey-Ferguson model, 8 plot combine.
Target populations, cooperating producers, fertilization, cultural practices, soil series, and herbicide use on all trials are listed individually in the results tables. Rainfall data from the nearest Mesonet site are also listed. Some trials are long distances from the nearest Mesonet site; therefore rainfall could be greater or less than reported. This year we only reported in-season rainfall, as compared to yearly totals, in previous reports.
Highlights
Exceptional grain yields (140 bu/ac or higher) were reported by producers for grain sorghum that was planted in late April or early May in north central Oklahoma. The yields for the Cherokee and Homestead trials were the highest in the last 10 years. In fact, hybrids that have been in the Cherokee trial a minimum of four years averaged over 100 bu/ac. In the panhandle yields were near 60 bu/ac for most producers due to lack of rain fall after the middle of July.