Hybrid Selection
Selecting A Hybrid
It is important to begin thinking about hybrid choices during the early winter months and to book your seed early. To assist in your decision of the hybrid that best fits your operation, university and company data is available. Planting more than one hybrid should be considered to spread risk.
When selecting a hybrid, there are several things to consider. The length of hybrid maturity is key because the longer the maturity, typically the higher the yield potential. Factors to evaluate in terms of hybrid maturity include the length of the growing season in relationship to the desired planting date as well as yield potential based on soil quality, water availability, both irrigation and rainfall. If a given environment will not support high yield potential, then a shorter maturing hybrid is often more appropriate.
Other items to assess include the adaptability of the hybrid to the region, yield potential of the hybrid given its maturity and its standability. A hybrid’s head exertion is also important, as it will help with harvestability. Evaluating a hybrid’s drought tolerance is essential if it will be grown under dryland or limited irrigation. Insect and disease resistance are also key items to consider when selecting a hybrid that is the best choice for your farm. When considering which hybrids to plant, when at all possible, examine data over multiple years.
Sugarcane Aphid Tolerant Hybrids
Seed companies have now had multiple growing seasons to observe their hybrids and should have a good grasp of their tolerance level. Growers in those regions where sugarcane aphid has been a reoccurring issue should visit with their seed company representative as well as seek advice from regional extension agronomists and entomologists on choosing hybrids.
When choosing a sugarcane aphid tolerant hybrid, all of the criteria used for selecting a non-tolerant hybrid should be considered. Growers are better off to plant a regionally adapted non-tolerant hybrid with good yield potential over a poorly adapted tolerant hybrid. Sugarcane aphids can be controlled with good scouting and timely insecticide application if needed.
Current commercially available tolerant hybrids are NOT immune from sugarcane aphids. However, research has consistently shown that sugarcane aphids reproduce slower on tolerant hybrids and, in some cases, are able to withstand a higher sugarcane aphid population without a reduction in yield compared to susceptible hybrids. Tolerant hybrids should be scouted and an insecticide should be applied once the economic threshold has been reached.
State Sorghum Hybrid Yield Trials
Arkansas
Grain Sorghum Variety Trial Results
Colorado
Colorado State Sorghum Performance Tests
Georgia
Grain and Forage Sorghum Performance Tests
Kansas
Grain Sorghum Performance Test Results
Louisiana
Mississippi
Grain Sorghum Variety Trial Results
Nebraska
Grain Sorghum Variety Trial Results
New Mexico
Grain and Forage Sorghum Variety Trail Results
South Carolina
Grain Sorghum Variety Trial Results
Missouri
Grain Sorghum Performance Test
Oklahoma
2018 Grain Sorghum Variety Trial Results