This tip was provided by:
Ronnie Schnell, Assistant Professor and State Cropping Systems Specialist, College Station, 979-845-2935, ronschnell@tamu.edu
Statewide
Yield Results
Yield results are in for many of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and AgriLife Research grain sorghum hybrid trials. Extension trials use large, replicated strips to evaluate 6-10 commercial grain sorghum hybrids on growers fields. Plots are usually 4 to 12 rows wide, up to 1500 feet in length and are planted and harvest by growers in cooperation with their local AgriLife Extension agent. Excessive spring rains result in delayed planting and undesirable growing conditions during much of the season. Extension trials in several counties in the Upper Gulf Coast region were planted in early May (4-6 weeks later than normal). This resulted in lower yields. However, good yields were obtained in other areas that were planted earlier and that avoided long periods of saturation. Full reports can be obtained from your local county Extension agent and soon will be available at: http://varietytesting.tamu.edu/grainsorghum/. When deciding which hybrids to plant next year, remember that consistent yield performance across years and locations will provide the best indication of future performance.
2015 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension county replicated grain sorghum hybrid trials. Trial mean (lbs/acre) is shown.
In addition to county Extension trials, the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Crop Testing Program has results for grain sorghum hybrid trials at three locations posted at: http://varietytesting.tamu.edu/grainsorghum/. More locations will be available soon. These trials are small replicated plots with 25-45 commercial hybrids at each location. These trials provide an opportunity to compare performance of many new hybrids to current hybrids. Again, exercise caution when evaluating results at a single location. Consistency is the key when selecting top performing hybrids.
