2016 MSU Grain Sorghum Hybrid Suggestions

Grain Sorghum is a warm-season grass crop that is very drought and heat tolerant, compared to many other major crops, making it well-adapted to hot, droughty climates. Grain sorghum yields are typically about 30% less than corn in productive environments. Therefore, grain sorghum is best suited to grow in the Mid-South in rain-fed (dryland) fields or where productivity is marginal. Grain sorghum is very beneficial to use in a crop rotation system with soybeans or cotton. The limitations of sorghum in our region include fewer herbicide options to control weeds, including the absence of glyphosate resistance which may also pose issues with off-target herbicide injury, insect pest issues, including Sugarcane aphid, and susceptibility to kernel sprouting given moist, humid conditions prior to harvest.

Mississippi State University conducts Grain Sorghum Hybrid Trials so you have sound, scientific, local performance data to help pick suitable sorghum hybrids for your farm. The 2015 trials evaluated 31 grain sorghum hybrids representing 7 seed companies at three locations.

If you would like to see additional hybrids tested, please contact your seed company representative, as participation is voluntary and they are responsible for submitting hybrids they wish to enter. Mississippi State is committed to serving Mississippi growers, so if you have any suggestions, feel free to contact myself as well.

Those grain sorghum hybrids which have consistently produced high grain yields when grown in dryland culture include:

• Pioneer 83P17
• Sorghum Partners 7715
• Terral REV9782
• Sorghum Partners NK6638
• Pioneer 83P99
• Pioneer 84P80
• Mycogen 1G855C
• Terral REV 9924
• Terral REV 9562
• Dyna Gro 765B

University Grain Sorghum hybrid performance data are available from:

Mississippi State University MAFES Grain Sorghum Hybrid Trials

University of Arkansas Grain Sorghum Variety Testing

LSU AgCenter 2015 Grain Sorghum Hybrid Trials