Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists are advising producers to manage sugarcane aphids and weeds to maximize yields in sorghum.
Producers may be concerned about planting sorghum this season, but several Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists said there are ways to prepare for upcoming issues and be profitable.
During the Interstate 40 Sorghum Luncheon recently in Amarillo, producers heard the latest on managing sugarcane aphids, weed control and how it all figures into the bottom line as producers manage crop budgets and pricing strategies.
Dr. Ed Bynum, AgriLife Extension entomologist in Amarillo, said, “Think outside of the box.”
Planting earlier, rather than the traditional dates, allows grain sorghum to reach later grain maturity growth stages where sugarcane aphids do not cause as severe yield losses, Bynum said. Also, planting a commercially adapted sorghum variety with sugarcane aphid tolerance should be considered, as well as seed treatments.
“You need to try to avoid the risk of infestation at certain growth stages – pre-boot to milk stage,” he said. “This is very important to protect the crop. After the dough stage, the damage from the sugarcane aphid does not cause as much yield loss.
“Also, you need to be talking to your seed representative to find those sugarcane aphid tolerant hybrids that are high yielding on the Texas High Plains and best for irrigated or dryland production,” Bynum said.
Sugarcane aphid control is important for grain sorghum production.
“We haven’t been able to evaluate a lot of hybrids, but we do know they make a difference. You may still have to treat, but these hybrids are better than sugarcane aphid susceptible hybrids when infested.”
Bynum said scouting fields is critical to the battle against the sugarcane aphid.
“You cannot let them get too far ahead before you make a treatment or you won’t be able to knock them back where they can’t recover,” he said.
When insecticide applications are needed, Bynum said it is important to spray promptly at the proper threshold levels, use solid rates of either Sivanto Prime or Transform, and use the maximum amount of recommended gallonage per acre for spray equipment.
For the Texas High Plains, AgriLife Extension suggests using 5 fluid ounces per acre of Sivanto Prime and 1.5 ounces per acre of Transform. The application rate by air should be 5 gallons per acre and 15 gallons per acre by ground.
Once the decision is made to plant sorghum and the seed is purchased, producers need to outline their herbicide program, said Dr. Jourdan Bell, AgriLife Extension agronomist in Amarillo.
Weeds that are not controlled early will rob nutrients and water from the sorghum crop.
“We are really going to see a lot of spring annual weeds start to germinate and a herbicide program will be key to controlling them,” Bell said. “In addition to burn-down herbicides for current weed pressure, it is also time to begin applying residual herbicides.
“It is important to begin the production season with clean fields because in-season weeds will reduce the yield potential if not sprayed because they rob many of the nutrients and water.”
She emphasized having a season-long program, which means knowing what weeds typically occur in the field and when they need to be controlled. Most weeds need to be treated before they reach more than 4 inches or the knock-down of any chemical will be limited.
Bell outlined a number of preplant herbicides that can be used, as well as some that are not yet labeled for sorghum but are a part of the sorghum herbicide research program sponsored by the United Sorghum Checkoff program.
A list of approved herbicides, including the weeds they treat and the crop tolerance considerations, can be found at http://bit.ly/2mSLvm5.
“Herbicides can be expensive, but weed pressure robs our resources and we know there is a return on the investment,” Bell said. “While many producers do not want to invest in herbicides when commodity prices are down, it is important they do not lose their yield potential to weed pressure. There are many effective options that can be worked into a budget.”
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