EVALUATION 
OF
RAIN SORGHUM
ALABA A, 1992
Department of Agronomy. and Soils 
Departmental Series No. 167
Alabama Agricultural Experiment 
Station Auburn University
Lowell T. Frobish, Director January 1993 
Auburn University, Alabama

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................................................ 4
INTRODUCTION .................................................. 5
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES5........................................
VARIETY COMPARISONS6............................................
TABLE 1. LOCATIONS AND CULTURAL PRACTICES FOR THE 1992
GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRID TESTS......................8
NORTHERN ALABAMA
TABLE 2. BELLE MINA GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRID TRIAL, 1992........... 9
TABLE 3. WINFIELD GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRID TRIAL, 1992............. 10
CENTRAL ALABAMA
TABLE 4. MARION JUNCTION GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRID TRIAL, 1992..... 11
SOUTHERN ALABAMA
TABLE 5. MONROEVILLE GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRID TRIAL, 1992.......... 12
TABLE 6. PLANT HEIGHT OF GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRIDS BY
LOCATION, 1992............................... 
13
TABLE 7. GROWING SEASON RAINFALL, 1990-92................... 
14
TABLE 8. SOIL TYPES FOR GRAIN SORGHUM TRIALS, 1992............. 14
SOURCES OF SEED FOR THE 1992 GRAIN SORGHUM TESTS................ 
15
ACCEPTABLE HYBRIDS FOR 1993... ........................... 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, Research
Data Analysis, for the computation, summarization, and analysis
of the data in this report.
-4-
EVALUATION OF GRAIN SORGHUM HYBRIDS IN ALABAMA, 1992
K.M. Glass 
and D.I. Bransby
1
INTRODUCTION
Grain sorghum performance tests are conducted annually throughout
Alabama by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. The test
locations in 1992 were 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 yield 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 rows 36
inches apart, 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.
Time (days) to mid-bloom is one measure of relative maturity.
'Research Assistant and Professor of Agronomy and Soils.
-5-
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 1992 grain sorghum hybrids were evaluated at only four locations, and
bird control noise devices were used to help keep bird damage to a
minimum at each test location. There was considerable bird damage at
the Tennessee Valley Substation (Belle Mina) in 1992. The test was
discarded at this location in 1990 and also in 1991 because of severe
bird damage, despite the use of a bird alarm. Bird damage, which can be
a problem in small fields, was lower at the remaining locations in 1992.
In selecting a hybrid, consideration should be given to bird
populations; if damage is anticipated, bird-resistant hybrids should be
used. However, bird-resistant grain sorghum hybrids are sometimes
difficult to market and 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 real 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 between two varieties
at a given location is greater than the L.S.D. value, the two hybrids
are considered to be significantly different in yield. The C.V.
-6-
(coefficient of variation) is a measure of test variability. An
increase in its value indicates a decrease in the precision and
reliability 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
seeds.
Anthracnose can be a problem in sorghum fields. There were
sporadic outbreaks of this disease in 1987, but little evidence of it
since then. However, in years prior to 1987, 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, Deltapine 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.
There was not a second or ratoon crop of sorghum in 1990, 1991, or
1992 at any location. Plant height of grain sorghum hybrids is reported
as location averages, table 6.
-7-
Table 1. Locations and Cultural Practices for the 1992 Grain Sorghum Hybrid Tests
Location Planting Nitrogen Plant
date rate population
Tennessee Valley Substation... April 28 80 60,000
(Belle Mina)
Upper Coastal Plain Substation. April 13 80 60,000
(Winfield)
Black Belt Substation.......... April 27 100 60,000
(Marion Junction)
Monroeville Experiment Field... June 2 300 60,000
1
Pound per acre N. Lime, 
phosphorus, potassium, zinc, 
a
recommendation based on soil test.
Harvest Herbicide Insecticides
date
August 25 Atrazine None
October 15 Atrazine None
September 1 Atrazine None
September 15 Atrazine None
nd sulfur were applied according to
-8-
Table 2. Belle Mina Grain Sorghum Hybrid Trial, 1992
1992
Brand-Hybrid 1992 1991-92 1990-92 Mid- Bird Lodged
Yield 2-yr. av. 3-yr. av. Bloom Damage Stalks
Bu. Bu. Bu. Mo./Day Pct. Pct.
Northrup King
Savanna 5 *.......... 88 - - 7/6 10.0 0.0
Dekalb DK 64BR *....... 70 - - 7/7 15.0 0.0
Capehart Contender..... 58 - - 7/12 17.5 0.0
Deltapine G-522 DR..... 58 - - 7/11 26.3 0.0
Northrup King 2660..... 57 - - 7/11 21.3 0.0
Hy Performer Cherokee.. 53 - - 7/9 31.3 0.0
FFR 321 DR............. 47 - - 7/13 30.0 0.0
Dekalb DK 60........... 47 - - 7/14 23.8 0.0
Capehart Challenger.... 45 - - 7/10 25.0 0.0
AgraTech GK802G........ 43 - - 7/11 40.0 0.0
Dekalb DK 40Y.......... 41 - - 7/6 27.5 0.0
Deltapine 1552......... 38 - - 7/7 35.0 0.0
Dekalb DK 56.......... 37 - - 7/12 33.7 0.0
Hy Performer Wings..... 35 - - 7/11 35.0 0.0
Pioneer 8212Y.......... 31 - - 7/14 52.5 0.0
Pioneer 8333........... 29 - - 7/7 38.7 0.0
AgraTech 805GW..........26 - - 7/7 28.3 0.0
AFC 861............... 24 - - 7/11 53.7 0.0
Hy Performer 1330 DR... 17 - - 7/11 62.5 0.0
Penn. Penngrain DR..... 13 - - 7/6 50.0 0.0
Test Mean.............. 43
L.S.D. (.05)........... 25.9
C.V. (%).............42.7
* Bird-Resistant Hybrid.
Note: The test at this location was severely damaged by birds in 1992.
This damage is reflected in the superiority of the bird resistant
varieties and the unacceptably high CV. Therefore, results should
be viewed with caution.
-9-
Table 3. Winfield Grain Sorghum Hybrid Trial, 1992
Brand-Hybrid 1992
Yield
AFC-861............
Northrup King
Savanna 5 *.........
Hy Performer Cherokee.
Capehart Challenger...
Pioneer 8333........
Hy Performer Wings....
Deltapine G-522 DR....
AgraTech 805GW......
Dekalb DK 64BR *.......
AgraTech GK8O2G.....
Northrup King 2660....
Dekalb DK 60........*
FFR 321 DR.........*0
Capehart Contender....
Hy Performer 1330 DR..*
Penn. Penngrain DR....
Deltapine 1552......
Dekalb DK 56.......*6
Dekaib DK 40Y.......0
Pioneer 8212Y.......
Test Mean..........
L.S.D. (.05)**.......
C.V. (%).........00
Bu.
47
55
51
45
37
44
32
33
61
32
40
41
33
29
13
10
36
41
24
35
1991-92
2 -yr. av,
Bu.
46
48
44
40
38
38
41
37
44
37
38
41
40
37
27
25
36
28
1990-92
3-yr. av
Bu.
47
46
41
41
39
38
37
37
36
36
35
35
35
34
28
27
1992
Mid- Bird Lodged
Bl oom DamageStalks
Mo./Da Pct. Pct.
7/6 10.0
37
16.3
31.1
* Bird-Resistant Hybrid.
-10-
7/6
7/5
7/6
7/6
7/6
7/5
7/5
7/6
7/4
7/6
7/7
7/6
7/7
7/6
7/5
7/2
7/6
7/3
7/7
7.5
2.5
0.0
0.0
5.0
5.0
20.0
5.0
12.5
10.0
2.5
0.0
25.0
7.5
35.0
17.5
0.0
0.0
20.0
2.5
0.0
5.0
16.3
0.0
12.5
5.0
10.0
2.5
7.5
10.0
12.5
20.0
0.0
17.5
22.5
12.5
0.0
0.0
10.0
rr ~ r rr
V
vvIIYIv YI\ V YI\ V1 77 V
rA A
Table 4. Marion Junction Grain Sorghum Hybrid Trial, 1992
1992
Brand-Hybrid 1992 1991-92 1990-92 
Mid- Bird Lodged
Yield 2-yr. av. 3-yr. av. Bloom Damage Stalks
Bu. Bu. Bu. Mo./Day Pct. Pct.
Capehart Challenger... 110 97 98 7/5 0.0 0.0
Northrup King 2660.... 103 91 94 7/5 0.0 0.0
AgraTech GK802G....... 100 92 92 7/4 0.0 0.0
FFR 321 DR............ 93 84 88 7/6 0.0 0.0
Hy Performer Cherokee. 89 92 88 7/5 0.0 0.0
Dekalb DK 60.......... 104 89 88 7/5 0.0 0.0
AgraTech 805GW........ 94 85 88 7/4 0.0 0.0
Deltapine G-1711...... 79 83 86 7/7 0.0 0.0
AFC 861................81 75 82 7/8 0.0 0.0
Northrup King
Savanna 5 *......... 93 73 80 7/3 0.0 0.0
Pioneer 8333.......... 90 76 80 7/4 0.0 0.0
Hy Performer Wings.... 87 78 78 7/5 0.0 
0.0
Dekalb DK 64BR *...... 90 65 67 7/2 0.0 
0.0
Deltapine 1552........ 99 87 - 7/3 0.0 0.0
Dekalb DK 56.......... 85 79 - 7/5 0.0 0.0
Dekalb X-166.......... 92 - - 7/5 0.0 0.0
Pioneer X3116......... 87 - - 7/6 0.0 0.0
Pioneer 8212Y........ 79 - - 7/6 0.0 0.0
Test Mean............. 92
L.S.D. (.05).......... 25.7
C.V. (%).............19.7
* Bird-Resistant Hybrid.
-11-
Table 5. Monroeville Grain Sorghum Hybrid Trial, 1992
1992
Brand-Hybrid 1992 1991-92 1990-92 Mid- Bird Lodged
Yield 2-yr. av. 3-yr. av. Bloom Damage Stalks
Bu. Bu. Bu. Mo./Day Pct. Pct.
Hy Performer 1330 DR... 63 73 76 7/28 2.5 0.0
AgraTech 805GW......... 55 68 75 7/26 0.0 0.0
AgraTech GK802G........ 61 74 74 7/26 0.0 0.0
AFC 861 ............... 54 69 73 7/27 3.7 0.0
Deltapine G-522 DR..... 64 71 72 7/26 0.0 0.0
Capehart Challenger.... 57 72 72 7/28 0.0 0.0
Pioneer 8333........... 52 67 72 7/26 1.3 0.0
Capehart Contender..... 57 70 71 7/26 1.3 0.0
Deltapine G-1711....... 46 65 70 7/29 1.3 0.0
FFR 321 DR............. 51 67 69 7/26 2.5 0.0
Hy Performer Cherokee.. 53 68 69 7/28 0.0 0.0
Northrup King 2660..... 51 66 68 7/26 1.3 0.0
Northrup King
Savanna 5 *.......... 53 68 68 7/28 0.0 0.0
Hy Performer Wings..... 55 61 67 7/27 0.0 0.0
Dekalb DK 64BR *....... 63 70 65 7/25 0.0 0.0
Dekalb DK 60...........26 54 63 8/4 8.8 0.0
Dekalb DK 56...........51 68 - 7/31 1.3 0.0
Deltapine 1552..........28 62 - 7/6 5.0 0.0
Pioneer 8212Y.......... 53 - - 7/30 1.3 0.0
Dekalb X-260........... 26 - - 8/1 18.8 0.0
Dekalb X-274.......... 21 - - 8/2 18.8 0.0
Dekalb X-275........... 15 - - 8/1 3.7 0.0
Test Mean.............. 48
L.S.D. (.05)..... ..... 12.4
C.V. (%)..............18.2
* Bird-Resistant Hybrid.
-12-
Table 6. Plant Height of Grain Sorghum Hybrids by Location, 1992
Plant Height by Location
Brand-Hybrid Belle Mina Winfield Marion Junction Monroeville
In. In. In. In.
AFC 861............... 55 51 54 49
AgraTech 805GW........ 55 54 55 47
AgraTech GK802G....... 51 46 52 48
Capehart Challenger... 53 52 53 50
Capehart Contender.... 49 49 - 47
Dekalb DK 40Y......... 48 46 - -
Dekalb DK 56.......... 54 52 55 56
Dekalb DK 60.......... 56 51 54 55
Dekalb DK 64BR *...... 63 57 64 59
Dekalb X-166.......... - - 55 -
Dekalb X-260.......... - - - 54
Dekalb X-274 .......... - - 56
Dekalb X-275 .......... - - - 56
Deltapine 1552........ 54 49 54 53
Deltapine G-1711...... - - 51 50
Deltapine G-522 DR.... 48 45 - 48
FFR 321 DR...........50 46 50 47
Hy Performer 1330 DR.. 66 58 - 58
Hy Performer Cherokee. 55 51 53 50
Hy Performer Wings.... 56 54 54 52
Northrup King 2660.... 
50 49 
51 47
Northrup King
Savanna 5 *......... 63 61 62 62
Penn. Penngrain DR.... 45 43 -
-
Pioneer 8212Y......... 46 49 49 47
Pioneer 8333..........53 46 50 47
Pioneer X3116......... - - 50 -
* Bird-Resistant Hybrid.
-13-
Table 7. Growing Season Rainfall, 1990-92
Monthly rainfall
7 months
Test location Year Mar. Apr. May June 
July Aug. Sept. total
-------------------------
inches----------------------
Belle Mina 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
1992 4.4 1.8 2.3 9.1 5.8 4.3 5.2 32.9
Winfield 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
1992 3.9 1.5 1.1 4.5 8.4 5.2 
2.3 26.9
Marion
Junction 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
1992 3.1 3.2 1.7 3.8 5.5 2.7 
4.2 24.2
Monroeville 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
1992 4.2 3.2 2.2 8.5 5.8 11.6 
2.6 38.1
Table 8. Soil Types for Grain Sorghum Trials, 
1992
Test Location Soil 
Type
Belle Mina Decatur silt 
loam
Winfield Savannah 
loam
Marion Junction Vaiden
Monroeville Lucedale 
loam
-14-
Sources of Seed for the 1992 Grain Sorghum Test
Entry designation
AFC brand hybrids............
AgraTech brand hybrids.........
Source of seed
.Alabama Farmer's Cooperative
P.O. Box 2227
Decatur, AL 35602
.Agralech Seeds, Inc.
Rt. 1 Box 76A
McCordsville, IN 46055
Capehart brand hybrids.....
Dekaib brand hybrids........
.....Capehart
P.O. Box
Holland,
Seed Service
10
MO 63853
.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 hbis.......
Hy Performer brand hybrids......
Northrup King brand hybrids.....
Pennington brand hybrids........
Pioneer brand-hybrids............
.Alabama Farmer's Cooperative
P,O. Box 2227
Decatur, AL 35602
.Helena Chemical Company
6075 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38119
.. Northrup King Company
Rt. 3 Box 265
LaGrange, NC 28551
.. Seed Production, Inc.
P.O. Box 192
Madi son, GA 30650
.Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
1000 West Jefferson Street
Tipton, IN 46072
-15-
_~ r___l r-,, LL,
I lr~ ~~s. III
ACCEPTABLE HYBRIDS FOR 1993
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.
NORTH ALABAMA
Brand name
CENTRAL ALABAMA
Hybrid Brand name
.AFC
Northrup King
Hy Performer
Capehart
Pioneer
Hy Performer
Deltapine
AgraTech
Dekalb
AgraTech
Northrup King
Dekalb
FFR
Capehart
861
Savanna 5*
Cherokee
Challenger
8333
Wings
G-522 DR
805 GW
DK 64BR*
GK802G
2660
DK 60
321 DR
Contender
Capehart
Northrup King
AgraTech
FFR
Hy Performer
Dekalb
AgraTech
Deltapine
AFC
Northrup King
Pioneer
Challenger
2660
GK802G
321 DR
Cherokee
DK 60
805 GW
G-1711
861
Savanna 5*
8333
SOUTH ALABAMA
Brand name Hybrid
Hy Performer
AgraTech
AgraTech
AFC
Deltapine
Capehart
Pioneer
Capehart
Deltapine
FFR
Hy Performer
Northrup King
Northrup King
Hy Performer
Dekalb
Dekalb
1330 DR
805 GW
GK 802G
861
G-522 DR
Challenger
8333
Contender
G-1711
321 DR
Cherokee
2660
Savanna 5*
Wings
DK 64BR*
DK 60
-16-
Hybrid