Missouri 2007 Grain Sorghum Performance Tests

This report is a contribution of the Division of Plant Science, University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. The work was supported by fees paid by the companies submitting hybrids for evaluation. The University of Missouri began its performance testing program for grain sorghum hybrids in 1958. The number of commercial entries in the program increased from 40 in 1958 to 134 in 1982. The number has declined during recent years to 40 hybrids in 2007. To select a commercial hybrid intelligently, producers need a reliable, unbiased, up-to-date source of information that will permit valid comparisons among available hybrids. The objective of the University of Missouri's performance testing program is to provide this information. The tests are conducted under as uniform conditions as possible. Small plots are used to reduce the chance of soil and climatic variations occurring from one plot to another. Results obtained should aid the individual grower in judging the relative merits of many of the commercial grain sorghum hybrids available in Missouri today.

The Authors

William J. Wiebold is a Professor of Plant Sciences and State Extension Specialist; Howard L. Mason and Travis Belt are Research Associates; Delbert Knerr, Richard W. Hasty, David M. Schwab, and Jeremy Angotti are Research Specialists and Bruce Burdick is the Superintendent of the Hundley-Whaley Research Center.

Acknowledgements

The authors recognize and express their appreciation to the following individuals for their part in making the 2007 grain sorghum performance tests possible: Bud and Ron Beetsma, Mooresville; Bill Cason, Macon; Tim Reinbott, Superintendent, Bradford Research & Extension Center, Columbia; Kenny Tevis, Hughesville; Mike Honey, Webb City; Charles & Dale Glenn, Bertrand; and Jake Fisher, Superintendent, Delta Research Center, Portageville.