Jelformance of (rain Sorghum Hybrids
in A nhama lo00
February 1992
Agronomy and Soils Departmental Series No. 160
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
Lowell T. Frobish, Director
Auburn University
Auburn University, Alabama

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........... ....... ..***.**. ....... ***** 4
INTRODUCTION.. .................. ....** 0 * ******.*.**.* 5
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES ......... ....................* * 5
VARIETY COMPARISONS...................................... 6
TABLE 1. LOCATIONS AND CULTURAL PRACTICES FOR THE 
1991
GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRID TESTS............. 9
NORTHERN ALABAMA
TABLE 2. WINFIELD GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRID TRIAL, 1991...... 10
CENTRAL ALABAMA
TABLE 3. MARION JUNCTION GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRID TRIAL,
1991...................................... 11
SOUTHERN ALABAMA
TABLE 4. MONROEVILLE GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRID TRIAL,
1991.......... ... ........................ 2
TABLE 5. PLANT HEIGHT OF GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRIDS BY
LOCATION, 1991 ............................ 13
TABLE 6. GROWING SEASON RAINFALL, 1989-91............... 14
SOURCES OF SEED FOR THE 1991 GRAIN SORGHUM TESTS......... 15
ACCEPTABLE HYBRIDS FOR 1992.............................. 16
Information contained herein is available 
to all persons
regardless of race, color, sex, or 
national origin.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The performance trials were conducted in cooperation 
with the
following substation and experiment field superintendents 
and their
staffs whose quality work makes this report a reliable source of
information for farmers in their areas.
Northern Alabama
Tennessee Valley Substation, Belle Mina - W. B. Webster,
H. E. Burgess,
B. E. Norris
Upper Coastal Plain Substation, Winfield - W. A. Griffey,
R. C. Rawls
Central Alabama
Black Belt Substation, Marion Junction - J. L. Holliman,
J. R. Harris
Southern Alabama
Monroeville Experiment Field, Monroeville - J. R. Akridge
Appreciation is also expressed to Mien-Huei Tzeng and Sally
Bagwell, Research Data Analysis, for the computation,
summarization, and analysis of the data in this report.
-4-
PERFORMANCE OF GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRIDS IN ALABAMA, 1991
D.L. Thurlow, W.C. 
Johnson, and K.M. 
Glass
INTRODUCTION
Grain sorghum performance tests are conducted annually
throughout Alabama by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station.
The number of test locations in 1991 was reduced to two in north,
one in central, and one in south Alabama. The four locations used
represent major soil and climatic areas of the State. Since the
performance of hybrids varies with location, this report should be
carefully studied before a hybrid is selected.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
Cultural practices were uniform for all hybrids within a given
test. The experimental design for all tests was a randomized
complete block with four replications. Tests plots consisted of
two 36-inch rows, 20 or 30 feet in length. The target plant
population was 60,000 plants per acre, with a seeding rate 25
percent higher than normal to ensure a good stand. Test cultural
practices are listed in table 1.
Grain yields were obtained by harvesting the whole test plot
with a plot combine, and adjusting harvested grain weight and
moisture to a standard 14 percent moisture and 56 pounds per
bushel.
Lodging is given as the percentage of plants broken or leaning
at an angle of more than 45 degrees. The seedheads of lodged
plants were not included in the yields reported.
'Associate Professor, Professor, and Research Technician of
Agronomy and Soils.
-5-
Time (days) to mid-bloom is one measure of relative maturity.
This is taken as the number of days from planting to the date when
approximately one-half of the heads in the plot are in bloom.
Bird damage has been very heavy at many locations in recent
years. In 1991 it was decided to evaluate grain sorghum hybrids at
only four locations, and to use bird control noise devices to help
keep bird damage to a minimum at each test location. There was
considerable bird damage at the Tennessee Valley Substation (Belle
Mina) on a few of the early varieties in 1989. The test was
discarded at this location in 1990 and also in 1991 despite the use
of a bird alarm. Bird damage, which can be a problem in small
fields, was only minor at the remaining locations in 1991. In
selecting a hybrid, consideration should be given to bird
populations; if damage is anticipated, bird-resistant hybrids
should be used. Bird-resistant grain sorghum hybrids are sometimes
difficult to market, however, they may have lower feed value than
the non-bird-resistant hybrids.
VARIETY COMPARISONS
The performance of hybrids varies among years and locations.
Small yield differences among hybrids may be the result of slight
environmental or cultural differences rather than differences in
yield potential among hybrids. To aid in determining real
differences, a statistical analysis of variance was performed on
the data from each location. The L.S.D. (least significant
difference) at the 5 percent level is reported to help determine
real differences between hybrid yields for each location. If the
yield difference is greater than the L.S.D. value between two
-6-
hybrids at a given location, the two hybrids are considered 
to be
significantly different in yield. The C.V. (coefficient of
variation) is a measure of test variability. An increase in its
value indicates a decrease in the precision of the test data.
The list of acceptable hybrids is based on 3-year-average
grain yield and lodging data. The list is divided into three
regions, north, central, and south. Since all acceptable hybrids
are not equal in performance, a review of the data from several
years at the test location most similar to a particular situation
is the most reliable method for selecting a hybrid best suited for
those particular farming needs.
Anthracnose has become a major factor in grain sorghum
production in Alabama, and there were sporadic outbreaks of this
disease during the 1987 growing season, but none were observed in
1988, 1989, 1990, or 1991. In years prior to 1987, however, grain
sorghum in many northeast and west-central Alabama counties was
devastated by anthracnose. Some fields yielded 50 to 75 percent
less grain than expected. Feed quality of much of the harvest
grain from diseased fields also was poor. Resistant grain sorghum
hybrids have been the best defense against anthracnose. Of
available adapted grain sorghum hybrids, Funk's G-1711 and Pioneer
Brand 8333 have the best resistance to this disease. Other hybrids
with some anthracnose resistance are DeKalb DK-64 and Pioneer Brand
8222. Good management plus the use of disease-resistant grain
sorghum hybrids are necessary to reduce losses to anthracnose.
-7-
There was not a second or ratoon crop of sorghum in 1989,
1990, or 1991 at any 'location. Plant height of grain sorghum
hybrids is reported as location averages, table 5.,
The rainfall during June and July in 1989 was good at 
all
locations, resulting in good yields 
except where bird damage was a
problem, table 6. However, rainfall 
in 1990 and 1991 during these
2 months was quite variable.
-8-
Table 1. Locations and Cultural Practices 
for the 1991
Planting Nitrogen' Plant
Grain Sorghum F
Harvest
Hybrid Tests
Herbicides Insecticides
Location date rate 
population date
Tennessee Valley Substation May 2 
80 60,000 No harvest 
Atrazine None
(Belle Mina)
Upper Coastal Plain Substation April 24 
80 60,000 September 26 Atrazine 
None
(Winfield)
Black Belt Substation June 24 
100 60,000 October 18 Atrazine 
Lanate
(Marion Junction)
Monroeville Experiment Field April 22 120 
60,000 August 14 & 16 Atrazine None
(Monroeville)
IPounds per acre N. Lime, phosphorus, potassium, 
zinc, and sulfur were applied according to
recommendation based on soil test.
0
I I
I
TABLE 2. WINFIELD GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRID TRIAL, 1991
1991
BRAND-HYBRID 1991 1990-91 1989-91 MID- BIRD LODGED
YIELD 2-YR. AV. 3-YR. AV. BLOOM DAMAGE STALKS
BU. BUL BU. MO./DAY PCT. PCT.
AFC 861 45 46 59 - 0.0 
2.5
CAPEHART CHALLENGER 35 38 57 - 0.0 2.5
PIONEER 8333 39 40 56 - 0.0 0.0
FFR 321 DR 47 36 56 -
0.0 0.0
CAPEHART CONTENDER 45 37 55 - 0.0 2.5
DELTAPINE G-522 DR 50 39 55 - 0.0 
0.0
DEKALB DK 60 42 33 54 - 0.0 2.5
AGRATECH GK802G 43 38 53 - 0.0 0.0
NORTHRUP KING 2660 36 33 52 - 0.0 0.0
HY PERFORMER 1330 DR 41 35 52 - 0.0 
2.5
DELTAPINE G-1711 34 35 52 - 0.0 
0.0
PIONEER 8230 39 38 51 - 3.8 1.3
NORTHRUP KING SAVANNA 5 * 42 41 50 -
0.0 1.3
HY PERFORMER 1225 DR 27 29 48 - 0.0 
0.0
DEKALB DK 64 33 29 48 - 0.0 10.0
HY PERFORMER WINGS 32 35 47 - 0.0 
6.3
HY PERFORMER CHEROKEE 36 36 47 -
0.0 12.5
PENN PENNGRAIN DR 40 35 39 
- 0.0 0.0
AGRATECH 805GW 40 38 -
- 0.0 2.5
DEKALB DK 64BR * 28 24 - -
0.0 2.5
CARGILL 837 52 - - - 0.0 2.5
DEKALB DK X967 49 -
- - 0.0 0.0
CARGILL X27747 49 -
- - 0.0 0.0
CARGILL X36113 44 -
- - 0.0 1.3
DEKALB X-174 39 -
- - 0.0 0.0
HY PERFORMER HONCHO 38 -
- - 0.0 0.0
DEKALB X-176 38 -
- - 0.0 0.0
NORTHRUP KING KS 737 38 -
- - 0.0 0.0
NORTHRUP KING KS 710 38 -
- - 0.0 0.0
DELTAPINE 1552 35 -
- - 0.0 0.0
DEKALB DK 41Y 34 -
- - 0.0 0.0
DEKALB DK 40Y 33 -
- - 0.0 0.0
DEKALB DK 56 27 -
- - 0.0 2.5
TEST MEAN 39
L.S.D. (.05) 14.7
C.V. (%) 26.9
* BIRD-RESISTANT HYBRID.
-10-
TABLE 3. MARION JUNCTION GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRID TRIAL, 1991
1991
BRAND-HYBRID 1991 1990-91 1989-91 MID- BIRD LODGED
YIELD 2-YR. AV. 3-YR. AV. BLOOM DAMAGE STALKS
BU. BU. BU. MO./DAY PCT. PCT.
CAPEHART CHALLENGER 84 92 97 8/22 8.8 0.0
DELTAPINE G-1711 86 89 96 8/22 6.3 0.0
CAPEHART CONTENDER 79 92 96 8/21 3.8 0.0
NORTHRUP KING 2660 79 89 94 8/20 6.3 0.0
FFR 321 DR 76 86 93 8/22 5.0 0.0
HY PERFORMER CHEROKEE 95 88 92 8/21 2.5 0.0
AFC 861 70 83 91 8/23 8.8 0.0
HY PERFORMER 1225 DR 71 83 90 8/21 3.8 0.0
AGRATECH GK802G 84 88 90 8/22 3.8 0.0
DEKALB DK 60 74 80 90 8/28 7.5 0.0
DELTAPINE G-522 DR 78 85 87 8/22 8.8 0.0
PENN PENNGRAIN DR 77 83 86 8/21 5.0 0.0
NORTHRUP KING SAVANNA 5 * 53 74 86 8/25 1.3 0.0
HY PERFORMER 1330 DR 65 76 85 8/21 8.8 0.0
HY PERFORMER WINGS 69 74 84 8/23 10.0 0.0
PIONEER 8333 62 74 78 8/20 6.3 0.0
PIONEER 8230 68 78 77 8/20 6.3 0.0
DEKALB DK 64 53 60 71 8/25 20.0 0.0
AGRATECH 805GW 77 84 8/19 1.3 0.0
DEKALB DK 64BR * 41 56 8/22 0.0 0.0
DEKALB DK X967 83 8/26 3.8 0.0
CARGILL 837 82-- 8/24 8.8 0.0
CARGILL X36113 75-- 8/22 8.8 0.0
DEKALB X-174 74-- 8/27 12.5 0.0
DELTAPINE 1552 74-- 8/23 11.3 0.0
DEKALB DK 56 73-- 8/27 12.5 0.0
DEKALB X-176 72-- 8/27 12.5 0.0
NORTHRUP KING KS 737 66-- 8/20 8.8 0.0
NORTHRUP KING KS 710 65-- 8/19 3.8 0.0
CARGILL X27747 64-- 8/23 11.3 0.0
DEKALB DK 41Y 61-- 8/21 3..8 0.0
HY PERFORMER HONCHO 60-- 8/20 10.0 0.0
DEKALB DK 40Y 56-- 8/22 1.3 0.0
TEST MEAN 71
L.S.D. (.05) 17.1
C.V. ()17.2
*BIRD-RESISTANT HYBRID.
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I
TABLE 4. MONROEVILLE GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRID TRIAL, 1991
1991
BRAND-HYBRID 1991 1990-91 1989-91 MID- BIRD LODGED
YIELD 2-YR. AV, 3-YR. AV. BLOOM DAMAGE STALKS
BU. . B U. MO./DAY PCT. PCT.
AFC 861 84 82 89 6/26 0.0 0.0
HY PERFORMER 1330 DR 84 83 89 6/24 0.0 1.3
DELTAPINE G-1711 85 83 89 6/25 0.0 0.0
DEKALB DK 60 82 81 88 7/1 0.0 0.0
FFR 321 DR 83 78 87 6/25 0.0 0.0
DEKALB DK 64 73 75 86 6/28 0.0 0.0
DELTAPINE G-522 DR 78 77 86 6/24 0.0 0.0
HY PERFORMER CHEROKEE 84 77 86 6/25 0.0 0.0
NORTHRUP KING SAVANNA 5 * 82 75 84 6/24 0.0 0.0
CAPEHART CHALLENGER 86 80 84 6/24 0.0 0.0
CAPEHART CONTENDER 83 78 83 6/24 0.0 0.0
PENN PENNGRAIN DR 85 78 82 6/24 0.0 0.0
NORTHRUP KING 2660 80 76 82 6/24 0.0 0.0
PIONEER 8230 85 76 82 6/25 0.0 0.0
PIONEER 8333 83 81 82 6/25 0.0 0.0
AGRATECH GK802G 86 81 81 6/24 0.0 0.0
HY PERFORMER WINGS 67 73 80 6/26 0.0 0.0
HY PERFORMER 1225 DR 77 74 77 6/24 0.0 0.0
AGRATECH 805GW 82 85 - 6/26 0.0 0.0
DEKALB DK 64BR * 78 67 - 6/22 0.0 0.0
DEKALB X-176 98 - - 6/29 0.0 0.0
DELTAPINE 1552 97 - - 6/28 0.0 0.0
DEKALB X-174 90 - - 6/29 0.0 0.0
CARGILL X27747 88 - - 6/25 0.0 0.0
CARGILL 837 87 - - 6/27 0.0 
0.0
DEKALB DK 56 84 - - 6/29 0.0 0.0
CARGILL X36113 83 - - 6/24 0.0 0.0
DEKALB DK 41Y 81 - - 6/30 0.0 0.0
NORTHRUP KING KS 737 74 - - 6/24 0.0 0.0
HY PERFORMER HONCHO 74 - - 6/24 0.0 0.0
DEKALB DK 40Y 74 - - 6/25 0.0 0.0
DEKALB DK X967 71 - - 7/1 0.0 0.0
NORTHRUP KING KS 710 69 - - 6/22 0.0 0.0
TEST MEAN 82
L.S.D. (.05) 10.0
C.V. (%) 8.7
* BIRD-RESISTANT HYBRID.
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TABLE 5. PLANT HEIGHT OF GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRIDS BY LOCATION, 1991
PLANT HEIGHT BY LOCATION
BRAND-HYBRID WINFIELD MARION 
JUNCTION MONROEVILLE
IN. IN. IN.
AFC 861 47 41 49
AGRATECH GK802G 41 41 46
AGRATECH 805GW 47 42 49
CAPEHART CHALLENGER 45 43 49
CAPEHART CONTENDER 42 40 47
CARGILL X27747 51 50 50
CARGILL X36113 46 40 49
CARGILL 837 47 41 49
DEKALB DK X967 44 40 47
DEKALB DK 40Y 41 36 46
DEKALB DK 41Y 47 39 49
DEKALB DK 56 46 44 50
DEKALB DK 60 46 47 51
DEKALB DK 64 48 48 50
DEKALB DK 64BR * 57 59 54
DEKALB X-174 49 53 52
DEKALB X-176 49 47 54
DELTAPINE G-1711 44 44 49
DELTAPINE G-522 DR 40 41 48
DELTAPINE 1552 46 50 51
FFR 321 DR 41 39 46
HY PERFORMER CHEROKEE 47 45 46
HY PERFORMER HONCHO 41 37 43
HY PERFORMER WINGS 44 40 47
HY PERFORMER 1225 DR 41 41 46
HY PERFORMER 1330 DR 50 50 54
NORTHRUP KING KS 710 40 31 42
NORTHRUP KING KS 737 45 43 48
NORTHRUP KING SAVANNA 5 * 55 55 56
NORTHRUP KING 2660 40 40 46
PENN PENNGRAIN DR 45 38 46
PIONEER 8230 48 43 47
PIONEER 8333 45 36 45
* BIRD-RESISTANT HYBRID.
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Table 6. Growing Season Rainfall, 1989-91
Monthly rainfall
7 months
Test location Year Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. total
---inches---------------------
Belle Mina 1989 5.6 3.2 3.9 13.5 5.1 2.8 3.9 37.9
1990 8.0 4.5 5.0 3.9 3.8 1.2 1.5 27.9
1991 8.0 9.0 9.5 1.8 2.1 2.0 3.7 36.1
Winfield 1989 5.0 3.8 4.5 8.3 7.3 3.3 5.7 37.9
1990 6.9 3.2 7.2 7.3 3.1 2.1 2.1 25.5
1991 4.8 14.8 15.0 4.5 1.9 2.9 3.1 47.0
Marion Junction 1989 7.3 5.5 1.9 9.3 5.7 1.3 1.5 32.5
1990 9.9 4.5 5.0 1.6 3.5 0.8 0.7 26.0
1991 3.8 6.1 8.1 3.3 4.3 3.9 2.9 32.4
Monroeville 1989 7.0 8.2 3.6 13.4 7.3 1.7 4.5 45.7
1990 9.0 4.5 6.2 0.7 5.3 2.3 1.8 29.8
1991 7.2 5.5 12.4 5.7 6.9 6.8 2.0 46.5
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Sources of Seed for the 1991 Grain Sorghum Tests
Entry designation Source of seed
AFC brand hybrids.................Alabama Farmer's Cooperative
P.O. Box 2227
Decatur, AL 35602
AgraTech brand hybrids............AgraTech Seeds, Inc.
Rt. 1 Box 76A
McCordsville, IN 46055
Capehart brand hybrids............Capehart Seed Service
P.O. Box 10
Holland, MO 63853
Cargill brand hybrids.............Cargill Hybrid Seeds
Box 5645
Minneapolis, MN 55440
DeKalb brand hybrids..............DeKalb Plant Genetics
3100 Sycamore Road
Dekalb, IL 60115
Deltapine brand hybrids...........Delta and Pine Land Company
P.O. Box 157
Scott, MS 38772
FFR brand hybrids.................Alabama Farmer's Cooperative
P.O. Box 2227
Decatur, AL 35602
Hy Performer brand hybrids........Helena Chemical Company
5100 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38137
Northrup King brand hybrids.......Northrup King Company
Rt. 3 Box 265
LaGrange, NC 28551
Pennington brand hybrids..........Pennington Enterprises, Inc.
P.O. Box 290
Madison, GA 30650
Pioneer brand hybrids.............Pioneer Hi-Bred International,
Inc.
1000 West Jefferson Street
Tipton, IN 46072
-15-
ACCEPTABLE HYBRIDS FOR 1992
All acceptable hybrids have been tested for 3 consecutive years in
the region listed. All of the acceptable hybrids are not equal in
performance. It is suggested that this report be carefully studied
before choosing a hybrid. The hybrids are listed in descending
order of 3-year-average yield for each region.
NORTHERN ALABAMA
Brand name Hyvbrid
CENTRAL ALABAMA
Brand name
AFC
Capehart
Pioneer
FFR
Capehart
Deltapine
DeKalb
AgraTech
Northrup King
Hy Performer
Deltapine
Northrup King
Hy Performer
Hy Performer
861
Challenge
8333
321 DR
Contender
G-522 DR
DK 60
GK 802G
2660
1330 DR
G-1711
Savanna 5*
1225 DR**
Wings**
Capehart
De ltapine
Capehart
Northrup King
FFR
Hy Performer
AFC
Hy Performer
AgraTech
DeKaib
Northrup King
Challenger
G-1711
Contender
2660
321 DR
Cherokee
861
1225 DR
GK 802G
DK 60
Savanna 5*
SOUTHERN ALABAMA
Brand name
AFC
Hy Performer
Deltapine
DeKalb
FFR
DeKalb
Deltapine
Hy Performer
Northrup King
Capehart
Capehart
Northrup King
Hy Performer
AgraTech
861
1330 DR
G-1711
DK 60
321 DR
DK 64
G-522DR
Cherokee
Savanna 5*
Challenger
Contender
2660**
Wings**
805GW***
*Bird-resistant'hybrid.
**If the present trend of these varieties continues, they will be
dropped.
***Recommnended on basis of exceptional 2-year average.
-16-
Hybrid
Hybrid