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DEPARTMENT
Washington, D. C.
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPE
| UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BULLETIN No. 1175
v September, 1923
RIMENTS AT THE WOODWARD
FIELD STATION IN OKLAHOMA
By
JOHN B. SIEGLINGER, Assistant Agromomist, Office of Cereal Investigations
Bureau of Plant Industry
CONTENTS
Page x Page
Objects of the Experiments . ...... 1 | Varietal Experiments—Coentinued
Description of the Woodward Field Station. . 2 Miscellaneous Sorghums ..... . 33
Re. oa ie ae he. oly wi we 2 Comparative Yields of the Grain Sorghums. 35
Ee a fal oy a Sok we 2 | Date-of-Seeding Experiments ..... > 36
Climatic Conditions . . . . 1.2... 3 Dwarf Yellow Milo . . .....-. 39
Classification of the Grain Sorghums . . . . 12 Sunrise Kabrs 050i Ses eX ee Sree 44
Experimental Methods. . . . .... 14 Dawu Kafr on 2. ba rakes 2 Cdn eo tee 46
‘Size and Arrangement of Plats .... 14 Reed Bonfire oie 2s) oo es eee AT
0 Si Ac Sse 14 Fetertan so nai dhe ei we eee 48
Method of Seeding . ....... 14 Blackhull Kaoliang . . . . 2. 2 « 49
Methods of Obtaining Data . .... 14 Comparative Yields in Date-of-Seeding
Environing Conditions . ...... 15 Experiments? 5.002: 6' 5:5 so aren eee 49
Warsctal expcrments; .-. . «<2 s « 16-:|: Spacing Experiments))5 5) ices ioe eee 52
‘The Milo-Durra Group . . . ... . 17 Dwarf Yellow Milo . . . . 2. «2 « 53
8 ee ee 23 Sunrise Kafr <0 5°-S" aes owe 59
The Kaoliang Group ... .....-. oO Sammary.. ss 66 po ot tal a oe ee 64
GOES ow ee 33
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1923
| UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
a*etnere*® >
| Washington, D. C. v | September, 1923
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS AT THE WOODWARD FIELD STATION
IN OKLAHOMA.
“By Joun B. Srectincer, Assistant Agronomist, O fice of Cereal Investigations, Bureau
of Plant Industry.'
CONTENTS
Page Page
' Objects of the experiments.....-..- Sel 1 | Varietal experiments—Continued.
Description of the Woodward Field Station. . 2 | Miscellaneous sorghums................- 33
' LAS oT DDS ae See ee ee eee 2 | Comparative yields of the grain sor-
Sooo. (SS eee eee 2 | UMS Oe ee eae - se oe ee 35
Srriaiieconetious-_ >. 54°. 222... 3 | Date-of-seeding experiments...............-- 36
Classification of the grain sorghums.......- 12 | Dwarf Yellow milo.........-- Sa SS es 39
ma nertiments) Megnods-._.. 25... 22 5.+---: 14 Sinrise ann 2 3.55 eso 2 5a, ee Zoe 44
Size and arrangement of plats.........-. 14 Bawaiica lire. 2 eS ese he ess 46
SI Sa a Ss a See ee 14 | Bred katins pae. ee se ees 7
Mieitied OLsceweay es. 28 oo eee: 14 | LGR se 7 eee St ey ss eee Fa eee: 48
Methods of obtaining data.............-- 14; | Biagkhrll ka olian & sn ws ee 49
Environing conditions.............. tons 15 Comparative yields in date-of-seeding
varietal experments............-.---------- 16 | GRPELEMICDES =. seers a eee ee Se 49
: Whe milo aurrs eroup-> 2-2-2 =... ----- 17-4); Spacawoexpermments Sct £222 See ek oe 52
“SPOS SE 1 ie peli geen ae 23 | D wart wetlowe mos 220.243 2-522 1h 2s 53
he kaonanseroup- 2-2-1 So. sch 2. 30 | UEIEIGG MOAT Se eta 5 pees I es 59
CNEL) 2S i re ar > SEER eM re Ss ee kee 64
OBJECTS OF THE EXPERIMENTS.
__ Grain-sorghum experiments have been conducted at the Woodward
Field Station in Oklahoma since its establishment in 1914. This
_ bulletin presents the data obtained from varietal, date-of-seeding, and
spacing experiments with grain sorghums during the eight years from
1914 to 1921, inclusive.
Climatic factors are recognized to be the determining influence in
the agriculture of the Great Plains area, the southern part of which
may be considered as the grain-sorghum belt. It is because of the
adaptability of the sorghums to droughty conditions that they are
so extensively grown in the southern Great Plains. The objects of
the experiments herein described were (1) to determine the response
_of the different varieties of grain sorghums to the climatic and other
-enyironing conditions and (2) to determine the behavior of the prin-
4 ee varieties of grain sorghums when certain factors under control
of the grower were varied.
1 This manuscript was submitted for publication March 10, 1923.
__ The writer desires to acknowledge his indebtedness to E. F. Chilcott, superintendent of the Woodward
Field Station, for cooperation in providing every faci ity for the conduct of the experiments here reported
_ and for many valuable suggestions.
49019—23— Bull. 1175——1
2 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
For varietal and cultural experiments to be of more than local
application, it is necessary to describe in detail the physical condi-
tions which existed at the place where the experiments were con-
ducted. This description of environing conditions is especially neces-
sary with the grain sorghums, as they are grown in an area in which |
climatic factors are the determining influence in their production.
DESCRIPTION OF THE WOODWARD FIELD STATION.
LOCATION.
The Woodward Field Station consists of 310 acres of bench land
1 mile southwest of Woodward, Okla. The elevation is approxi-
mately 1,900 feet above sea level. Woodward is centrally located in
Me Fo el Sea I
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Fic. 1.—Sketch map of western Oklahoma and portions of adjoining States, showing the location of the
Woodward Field Station and the section to which the results reported in this bulletin are generally
applicable.
the transition section extending north and south between the high
plains to the west and the prairies of the central lowlands to the
east. The location of the station is shown in Figure 1. Figure 2
presents a general view of the station buildings and part of the plats.
The station farm slopes to the northeast and is drained in that
direction to the North Fork of the Canadian River through several
dry washes or draws.
SOIL.
The soil of the station is a light phase of sandy loam, classified as
Canadian sandy loam. The subsoil consists of sand at a depth of
2 feet, extending to a depth of 4 to 10 feet, where the original residual
red material is reached. The surface soil is very porous, and no
GRAIN-SCRGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 3
run-off occurs except during torrential rains. The soil under opti-
mum tilth contains 8 to 12 per cent of moisture, which can _ be
reduced by plants to a minimum of about 2 per cent. The soil has
a tendency to blow, and tillage methods must be employed to prevent
blowing or drifting.
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS.
The weather data presented were recorded either by the observer
of the Weather Bureau at Woodward, Okla., or by a representative of
the Office of Dry-Land Agriculture Investigations at the Woodward
Field Station.
The principal climatic factors which influence crop production in
this vicinity are (1) a limited and variable annual precipitation, of
irregular seasonal distribution; (2) a relatively low atmospheric
humidity; (3) a high rate of evaporation during the summer months;
(4) a wide daily range of temperature, hot days being followed by cool _
nights; and (5) a high average wind velocity.
Fic. 2.—Airplane view of part of the Woodward Field Station. Photographed in May, 1920.
. PRECIPITATION.
Precipitation and its distribution may be considered the limiting
factor in crop production at Woodward, Okla. The total precipi-
tation is usually sufficient to produce a good crop every year, but the
distribution is frequently such that soil moisture is lacking at the
critical period of plant growth. When this condition exists crop
yields are low. During the eight years from 1914 to 1921, inclusive,
there have been several seasons of poor rainfall distribution, yet the
sorghums produced some grain, though yields were low.
MONTHLY AND ANNUAL PRECIPITATION.
_ Table 1 shows the monthly, annual, and mean annual precipitation,
in inches, at Woodward, Okla., during the 27-year period from 1895
to 1921, inclusive. The mean annual precipitation at Woodward for
this 27-year period was practically 24 inches, of which 17.4 inches
fell during the growing season, or from April to September, inclusive.
Table 1 shows in a general way the precipitation characteristic of
the locality around Woodward. In the 27-year period there were 7
years in which the annual precipitation was less than 20 inches, two
of which occurred during the period covered by these experiments.
e
4 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:
The extreme range of annual precipitation during the 27-year period
reported in Table 1 1s from 14 inches in 1910 to.39 inches in 1915.
TaBLE 1.—Monthly and annual precipitation at Woodward, Okla., during the 27-year
period from 1895 to 1921, inclusive.
[Data (in inches) furnished by the United States Weather Bureau. T=trace. *=Data interpolated from |
near-by stations.}
Year. Jan. Feb. | Mar.) Apr. May. June. July.; Aug. Sept.) Oct. | Nov. | Dee. Annual.
E | aaa | |
WS9a S22 25h 26 ese ae *0.90 \*2.00 |*0.10 |*).25 *1.60 |*5.50 |*4.00 |*5.25 *0.70 | 0.50 | 1.13 | 1.11 | 24,04
USOD st Sokec eas 1. 04 3020 S10 Ss3467 ~81 | 5.30 | 1. 70 |. 1. 00. |*3..00: |*3..10 | *.35 [F175 |: 21, 84
SOW ea toe ees 2. 24 . 60 tO 08.) 3.7L et 1.16 | 2.52? | Bs QE) ED) AP 25) S05 SESS OF eee Outs
W898 D4a8 te hese *1.40 '*1.50 |*1.20. *1. 25 |*5.75 |*4.75 |*4. 25 |*3.60 |*1.40 | 1.7 44 |*2.65 | 29.89
1599) eel Se es ee * 25,4 *20_|*1. 00 .49 | 2.91 | 3.96 | 4.16 70. | 4.00") 2.25: 260.1% 2585) 59 22
I9QOE Ase sectes 4 71 | *.50 |*5.00 *2.60. |*2. 90 *2 10 y Uo beso Be) eee ey J f 21.13
DO (la ae Se 50 RS |ewol 56.15) j4e05.| 0 4.495) 1575: | 1654-2005 0 18. 09
POUR oe as oe eee 15 | *.20 |*1.50 |*E. 75 |*10.00 |*1. 90 |*2.30 | *.90 | *.90 |*1.25 |*1.50 | *.90 | 93.25
NODS Ss Set Se hee ce *,05 |*3.25 |*1. 25 |*1.75 1*6.15 |*2.00 |*1. 00 |*2. 10 «657. [tds ond 2el se Ral eeteeea
1904 = SSeS aes he fe are 1.00 |*1. 75 |¥2.50 | 4.97 | 7.31 |} 2.95 | 162 SS 7on| LO A Lae oul een
NOD a Reta Ss ees os 60 25 | 1.20 |*4.00 | 1.13 | 2.00 |*4.50 | 1.30 | 2.00 | *.70 | 1.04 . 03 18.75
LOO. eee ee eee 75 | *.40 |*1.75 |*2. 30 |*2.50 |*3. 80 |*5.90 |*4.00 |*2. 75 |*4. 00 *2.60 | *.80 | *31. 55
1907 *2.50 | *.25 | *.20 |*2.00 |*2.00 |*4. 75 |*2.75 |*6. 00 | *,90 |*2.65 | *.60 |*2.10 | *26.70
1DOR Me soa = se oe #25 (1. 25) ERLO: PL 70485250) 9S. 762195, 87s 82. 480s 2575 ket O 27. 52
1 AE 2 aeapay ie mene 05 -28 | - .66 45 | 4.78 | 2.45 | 1.54 | .29 | 4.88 | 2.95 | 9.54) 215 28. 02
IGEQ2 = Ao Ree eee 46 522) el 1.97 5a dhe. M0254. bospee tee ee Seat - O01 14.01
ORNS cae sees i 8.09 | 0 10} 4.13 | 0 3.54 | 5.29 | -41 82 .o2 | 2.90 25. 80
1 OND eS eee ne 03 | 2.58°! 2.37 | 1.63 ! 1.15 | 3:02! 3.25-| 2:90:! 3544 50 06-07 21.00
OES Eto eee a 40 | 2.44 54 | 1.11 | 2.08 | 5.31 ~99 |-1.87 | 4.89 | 1.05") 3350" | 2.73 26.91
LOT ae Sc soe 18 |) 252s. 234-1 2 4aSe be | GOl) . 92 12.924 82a SAP OOr mabe awa 15. 08
LOU eat te ol Bon 1.17 | 3.44 | 1.45 | 7.08 | 6.47 | 2.87 | 3.46 | 3.90 | 6.27 | 2.52 | .56 | .02 39. 21
IQUE Seo accsees 2 1,29 . 03 92 | 2.01-| 1.74 |11. 64 |-0 1.15 | 222 |1.87 | -.95 38 24, 25
LORS ee, Nad -43 | .22 34} 1.93 | 1.39 | 1.89 | 1.33-}) 7.00") 1.90 | 0 77 18 17.38
IOUS cho aaa eee 1. 60 «22 | A. 8s | 2.16) 4. 4952 2529 . 10s) 126213: 54) 1. 73-| 3.08 25. 38
1! 1 eae ee -06 | 1.46 | 1.60 | 4.87 | 4.63.) 3.76 | 1.91 | 1.72 | .56 | 2.75 | 4.54 | 0 27. 86
ht 2) Pe .92 Ab .82 | 1.12 | 4.19 | 1.31 | 5.44 | 2.62 | 6.34 | 2.88 | .62 | 2.04 28. 30
1931 Soe SE 1. 86: | 1.:02:) 1. 70. | 1..85-|, 1.55: |-8..00°| 3.15 | 6.85. | 2° 90° |- 305 70 30 29. 23
A VeTage so. } .73-) 1.15 | .91 | 2.34 | 3.32 | 3.37 | 2.84 | 3.04) 2.48 | 1.72 | 1.26] .92 24.08
|
The extreme variation in precipitation for any month during the
srowing period illustrates the irregular distribution of rainfall.
During April, 1911, there was but 0.1 inch of rainfall, while in April,
1915, there were 7.08 inches. In May,. 1910, 0.53 inch of rain fell
while in May, 1915, there were 6.47 inches. No _ precipitation
occurred during the month of June in 1901 and in 1911, and in June,
1914, there was but 0.6 inch, while in June, 1916, there were 11.64
inches and in June, 1921, 8 inches. No rain fell in July, 1916, while
in July, 1904, there were 7.31 inches; in 1908, 5.87 inches: and in
1920, 5.44 inches. The variation for August was from 0.29 inch in
1909 and 0.7 inch in 1918 to 7.65 inches in 1910 and 7 inches in 1917,
while the variation for September was from nothing in 1910 to 6.34
inches in 1920.
DISTRIBUTION OF MONTHLY PRECIPITATION.
Figures showing only the monthly precipitation for a locality m
the southern plains area do not give a complete view of the moisture
conditions. The total monthly rainfall has sometimes been sufficient
to produce large crops, yet it came at such intervals that long periods
of drought occurred which damaged growing crops. To illustrate
this fact and to show as nearly as possible actual moisture conditions
during the various seasons, daily and monthly precipitation records
for the eight years covered by these experiments are given in Table 2.
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA,
5
~TasLe 2.—Daily and monthly precipitation at the Woodward Field Station during the
8-year pertod from 1914 to 1921, inclusive.
{T=trace. Data (in inches) furnished by the Office of Biophysical Investigations, Bureau of Plant
Industry.]
Yearand date. Jan.| Feb. Mar.) Apr. | May. |June. | July.| Aug.) Sept. Oct. | Nov.| Dec. Annual.
i914:
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=~ i PERRO 9 Re? eae yt Ca ® 2X EN eae 2 MIR (ot 3 seat atom RRS ee
Lo JE ea (eee VE Ree +o) ee ae oY ee Cc Pee Monin Ras hee t2 92
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22) ae .18| .51 33 | 1.69 | 3.16 61 | 1.88 | 2.64 55 | 1.60 0 52 13. 68
1915
JUS a Eee i eee 2 ere oe Ge SLPS de ye | el eee ek. ede ee
Leite 2 ee oh ees db sr a Ol ie es al RET ony = res Sas eee et See
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fae | T 7 | 4.10 Ot). 16*|.~ 3) a 3s ee ES ll Se age anes
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oe ee BE RES T PSB tt. eer PAG Ae ets: Re cs te es
Bie 4 eee sae 1) (aa eS Sees Meso eerie Sf Bre Stee Paes Sater Ser F -
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+: Sepa aS “2h 2y U8 ee 2 Se cree eee ee Pee 5) Eas eee ae Se
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2 es See i= 2 est Hy ES [RET Sy eee en aa Po re ince es A ee i oan Ry RE ES
>
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6 BULLETIN 1175, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
TaBLE 2.—Daily and monthly precipitation at the Woodward Field Station during the
8-year period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive—Continued.
{T=trace. Data (in inches) furnished by geht foe of Biophysical Investigations, Bureau of P.ant
ndustry.
l l
Year and date. | Jan.) Feb. Mar. - Apr.
Ex |
|
May. June. | July. Aug.|Sept.} Oct. | Nov.| Dec. |Annual.
| 3
1916—Continued. | | |
& } | .
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA,
T
TasLeE 2.—Daily and monthly precipitation at the Woodward Field Station during the
8-year period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive—Continued.
{T=trace. Data (in inches) furnished by the Odlice of Biophysical Investigations, Bureau of Plant
Industry.]
| |
- Yearanddate. Jan.: Feb.) Mar.| Apr. | May. June. | July. Aug. | Sept.| Oct. | Nov.| Dec. | Annual.
} |
|
1918—Continued.
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2 nets ee ie Se SERS 37 ee Se ‘eee ts 8 So aoe SOLS SOI soso
See ls ot ee, - oe Cee feed ba eee CSS 9 ee ai pee eee teem een ae
Ce eS ae eee So pees KOG 4 = Tat Cay esa eae Sie Ce a a ea alee! a
2 a, a “6. CEES ie a i Soe ee ALS tae faec hale lc. 22 Faeries Ye
dele Seb re ere S22 ee De Re eee Sree eee (eee ra ene ee ee el bal Pratl ene mice! 4
= Se ee a Se (DRT RRS gd SRR Oe Nona acne if Faron PAL ae Peete: Ri Rae airs pte 5!
oo So er> ave: SESS Laer ae es eee pee Po eesti RE sles JR ee a eal [ees eS oe
Se ee ae 2a ae in: aes oe | oh eee See (ame Ena epee ees eee
PE St re) et Se Seite Sey oy CBE Sle a ae Fk Sig yO bee | NSP at ieee | dep StAS ett
ASE, Soe 2 eee ee j-e--=-|------|------ ili 2g ta Sh | Sere a tae ee ee Pe ERs eh 3 ee techy ees
ee hee eee is 3a ee pa ge ie Te Sea Rt Rea . 06 Titel ee 2 nee
oT ene Eee SA Ae ees Cee ew hee anceae (Saha (ca = 1) | a ead (Ee SNR Rec ery Loneoh Uae Pe Pe
ee eee aL ae] ingest ae ao eget Meee cy pen leer a ea ess [hg > om ait betes errs aba
8 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
TABLE 2.—Daily and monthly precipitation at the Woodward Field Station during the
8-year period from 1914 to 1921 , nclusive—Continued. |
[T=trace. Data (in inches) furnished by the .Oifice of Biophysical Investigations, Bureau of Plant
Industry.]
Year and date. | Jan.j} Feb. Mar. Apr.| May. June. July.) Aug.| Sept.) Oct. | Nov.| Dec. Annual.
!
|
1920—Continued
22
Pe is 0 ston be a Mela I aa i EE | Sean hie eS SS eg | O07) 282: 2) ee ee
> 1. ae acre © NR TE TS See 0. 27 BD i orinws = [em oh clo te becae | oat ish oy eee ie er
RSE Ne eh ees! fede neg eel ee: 5 (a a serie 5 Ey iaeeeeion a ee en 5 oe OF 24 soars petnecsrae 0: 15 hess] eee
20a: 2258s Fie ee IE Mie, pe eae OE 8 Go ae aa 0. 03 T° Ds -cee gel OM Aer
OT nam Be nd fe oh Ae BR ie oe eee eed Les ie cae ee 9 Mea TD ail ey th oe
OB a9 nn ine sainthood ED elaine OU se See eral paeees Fe Eee ey eres 620" eee! ie
B22 ste oinains sn) nintepl Seed eer aa al ace ee ee ae oO +. cook eee
BD wa 2 APS win ven Fa [ice BAe etal PERN OID bbe QROB SE nar | A etre ae wee 308. (noc. Te
) are meee (Oe iste Crea etc CF UES Seer ee er .10 1 ee ark: epee Coenen eet SS
Topal ve Sse 1.03 | 0. 07 61 | 1.06 | 3.40 | 1.29 | 4.69 | 3.00 | 5.01 | 2 99:)|)-L282))): 1558 25. 56
1921: | a wah ee
epee Pirie ee ey Pa thew tae METS oy ST Naa 8 ESSER ee oo eee eee” pL aE a EAR eee eee eee
Pio Sse chee al eee Beal aa ac ee lee aa ale ie lease oe (ee ee Fo Bae gt eee « ee
Bin Soe Sieltihe 5 ain het eeeke Sa))Aaee ell a ee As cece) eee eaere| a. 9 ge |rscavettye | ee ee 02 oe
SY Ree Re oa Salata ae ee hy peMORe Makita n 082 |e e2iirelewatac|aeeesletaed sh came sheen
D la nia Coie vata =.Sic 5 caer efor Se sy gs Leap as ae 5) | 1 Sal geese as bene so Selphy ne TT s3 ae
Ges Sere, Cele eee. OL Ty 01 3 ey ee Net ea Ne | nS ele beees hee
Mos Evo cia Sl US OLE sts Severs nt eee NS oy MOT Re os Rat 2. 80 Neen Se £102) | ner has
Ta toate epee tae iD AMD fate gies hoe AI NR leer aes He ap eens NE Net NS fe fame Sef To ee
eae) emer kal ea i Ci AT Se ea) Ae 4 2 Po lacs Roan 3 82 St aoe Lele eel
BO ing 3h ein le tdawis ke Saal eee nl a pL eed a eer ree Peer kd reps Mees ea aS
ee aes Ca ERE ees cy ae all as ae 0 OF ow TA ios 2s ore el er
De einige ks tae Cal eed ok ee ee oe Aly SVC IL ey eo aod ol eR 2. 45 03/))- 2221s eee
i AS pee et tee am RE pd 28 71 . 78 ASN eps hoa 1549 joc l 551 |Gexd.2. 20) ea ee ee
Laie ole yet ec Soule ses ae ee 19 |}>.405, Ose a4 lis: o. J|ateeccleue pee
Us anne nage eee aan A Mes bet T Ay at DD 2a poo Beare den eee mec Hie Be Pts
DG ge trae ve RNG ee GLa oe Sa Kare Me Doers IER oy WD |, ais slat hes Nee es He
1 LG eg eae es es en eS Ua ae ees lene ee oN ceriareray (ames Se Maren © od Do his 2 2allcobs oleae eee
1 a SPU Nema aes pee | ge PaS oe eens emer (Benn ot 07 1h) Ieee ae 1Oriwe acd. 3 eee
DS Sted Sopa testo Sah e 25 Pee TIL ns Gea Mee | Oe Sear ee T 1) 353235252. ee ee
CSc Sages a ae eel bag a ag SO jot OO she Roll ee RE NOD | eae clend.2 tS ioe phe Saleh ae eee el
2 OS RPE eM iL ere ees cs Maes ie EM 8 el eae Serre em en MN Ze RE
+P a SN ilo ieee res LST vas Nee ao| See eae 1 ete ee Beer fone mene | eS SS =
13 fa et EN oc AG) ofa te Leak | ie ake te OL choy ocotles 5 Sol ath <4 OSs 2 aloes val aa ea
cee te 2 oe ou enemy Foe SSN | CIPS RR Ah) SEA oh” 22 | Saas AD i pegs OL jcc. ot. Jee
in Er tae sh PNG OY Bil pee QU cae ole aed Of |onsd Sona cseh eaeee lies rte
Fe i ere oat Dee eee, nee 303)4) 485. OF fe wee Pa fens 2] cast hea ese ile oneeadaos ocala
bes toe ae, Dek RRR ee aa oe OF alias Hes feniteegleateue'a|n 6 So~alie otal cs sell ies || el er
SL EORR, Pa Oe ATUL RS S08 - 01 08) Jemel de fenitrea|aeumcv|-ciao alee eaealeee © le sind [ee ee er
ng Pte oie PRU ieee hon Pah py Me Rey bh Pe ee Fae Ses eet el eevee Lee 8 Ob ne sche eee
O0e Heel cis Sete RA Gal, een om ss Pe ae) ae ae Mae re Bene ae cas areeeel Bte so (ro re
Dil coeetw ag cme eal CSS AE Sas ee Meee SOWecte 2: Lien ag, Bale eal area PEEP ae
Motels hoes 2.22} .61 | 1.33:| 1.80 | 1.91 | 5.78 : 2.50 | 5.11 | 2.94 | .O01 | 0 | ld 24, 32
| | . j f
During each of the eight years these experiments have been con-
ducted the total annual and seasonal precipitation has been sufficient
to produce high yields of grain sorghums. During some of the years
the monthly rainfall appears to have been sufficient to warrant
high yields, yet in practically every year a droughty period has
occurred which caused a reduction of the yields of some varieties.
It is because of dry periods occurring in months which show suffi-
cient rainfall to produce good yields that Table 2 is indispensable
in presenting actual conditions.
LOCAL VARIATION IN PRECIPITATION
Much of the summer rainfall of this vicinity comes in the form of
local thundershowers. The variation in rainfall at two near-by points
is well illustrated in Table 3. This table shows the precipitation
recorded by the United States Weather Bureau observer at Wood-
ward and that measured at the Woodward Field Station during six
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 9
rowing months in the years 1918 to 1921, inclusive. The distance
BD iwoen the two points of observation is about 14 miles, the Weather
Bureau records being taken in the town, which is located in the
valley of the North Fork of the Canadian River. It is to be noted
that the rainfall at the Weather Bureau station averages higher
than that at the field station, which is due to the fact that many
of the summer showers follow the river valley. Frequently, good
showers occur in town when little or no rain falls at the field station,
which is situated on higher bench land.
TaBLeE 3.—Precipitation at the United States Weather Bureau station, Woodward, Okla.,
compared with that at the Woodward Field Station during the 6 months from April
to September for the years 1918 to 1921, inclusive.
[Data in inches.]
Year and station. Apr. | May. | June. | July. | Aug. | Sept. | Seasonal.
¢ |
1918: |.
United States Weather Bureau.........-. 2. 51 4.49 | 2.11 1,79 0. 70 1, 26 | 12, 86
Woodward Field Station................. 2. 22 4, 00 1,91 aid 135) |) 1244 11. 45
19: |
United States Weather Bureau........... 4. 87 S563: )- 3,76 | & 1:91 iz . 56 17. 45
i Woodward Field Station...:............. 4.10 4529 | 2522 £335 1. 87 . 63 | 14, 46
920: |
United States Weather-Bureau........... 1512 4.19} 1.31 5. 44 DiG2 | 6504 | 21. 02
poeta PEGS EAbON ISS. e223. 22 1.06 | 3.40 | 1.29 | 4.69 3. 00 5. 01 | 18. 45
1921: |
United States Weather Bureau........... 1.85 #355" |\) S500} -d215 6. 85 2.90 24. 30
Woodward Field Station................. 1. 80 129155 SETS: = 2250 5.14 2. 94 | 20. 04
The precipitation data given in Table 1 are those recorded at the
Weather Bureau station, as they are available for a greater period
of years than the field station records. It must be remembered
that the precipitation data given in Table 1 are somewhat high for
_*the conditions under which the experiments were conducted. The
data in Table 2 were obtained at the field station and show precipita-
tion conditions under which the crops were actually grown.
HUMIDITY.
The atmospheric humidity of this section is usually low. Humidity
- decreases and wind velocity increases from central Oklahoma west-
ward. The relatively low humidity at Woodward is doubtless corre-
lated with high transpiration from growing crops, as low humidity
is one of the chief factors favorable to high evaporation. The
relative atmospheric humidity has been determined from wet and
dry bulb readings taken at the Woodward Field Station during the
six months from April to September, inclusive, for the eight years
in which these experiments have been conducted. The relative
atmospheric humidity is given in Table 4, together with other
climatic data.
WIND.
Data on wind velocity are shown with other climatic data in
Table 4 for the crop season (April to September) during the 8-year
period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive. The wind velocity for the
season averages high. Some days are calm, followed by days of
high wind movement. The highest wind movement for one day
during the period reported was 608 miles, on April 11, 1920. This
is an average of more than 25 miles an hour for 24 hours. These
wind data were recorded by an anemometer at the field station
49019—23—Bull. 1175-2
_
10 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
standing 2 feet above the surface of the ground and represent closely
the movement of wind actually sweeping over the surface of the land.
Winds of this velocity can cause great damage to crops by covering
the young plants, cutting them off with moving sand particles, or
causing the crop to lodge when mature or nearly so.
TaBLe 4.—Relative humidity, temperature, and wind movement recorded at the Woodward
Field Station in the 6 months from April to September, inclusive, during the 8-year
period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive.
Temperature. Wind.
ee Maximum | Minim | Hi td
Year and month. humid- | “ a ha: BOE ee ighest day.
ity. _ vail- | Monthly
Mean. | oy 7 | mine ing |. move-
Read- | ead- | direc- ment. | Move- 4.
| ing. | +4 ing. | Pate-| tion. _ ment. | Date:
| j
1914: Pep cent. lm ais o| acer 1s ePre | Miles. | Miles.
OTE eg oat ee 50. 5.1) SR set. 287 16| 24 28] N 7, 344 440 | 22
Mavic: Sees eee 62.1 | 66 | 92 . 10 | 42 | 212 s 6, 845 400 9
JUNC. 2 6a Set 49.4) 81 104 28 | 61 | 16 Ss 7,920 463 6
tilive: Soe oo ae ee 48.6 83 104 215 61 8 Ss 4,613 298
Aueust (95> 3.2. ka ak. 55.2 | *79 100 20 60 27 s 4, 836 316 22
i ptember?=.-- s2c2s4. 46.9 | 75 98 5 44 29 Ss 5, 688 331 12
1915: f
Worl oP. 2h. ase: 56.9 | 60 88 28 31 2 S 6, 768 481 | 3
a ie ot Be 61.4 | -62 92 13 37 6| E 5, 952 413 ;~ 24
TLC e as See Lie es 64.1 | 73 99 20 47 26 E 5, 544 351 10
ih st ee. BAS 60.1 | 78 100 12 55 | re el 5, 580 341 6
UNMIS Oe. 3 W025} 212 97 7 45 | 29| -E 3, 050 189 6
September..........-- 69.3 | 371.5 99 10| 246| 327| § 4, 248 302 12
1916: |
4 oy 0 ee ee Se ee 57.8 | 54 88 11 22 8| SW 6, 624 445 18
1.3 [Ge al a tar ee 48.5 | 69 105 7 40 2} SW 6,770 446 9
WuNes s,s 62.0 | 73 100 1 53 5 E 5, 976 478 21
JUL es Sone Ree 48.9 | 82 102 18 58 26/ S 4,241 235 1
AMPUShes~ 322 0 S32 28s 48.1 | 82 103 a 50| 27); SW 5, 506 287 9
Eppa ane Samer 55.4 | 70 97 10 36| 28) SW 5, 904 464 30
1917:
Aprils eee! ere 57.1) 54 86 22 25 1| NW 8, 237 504 15
May eee 8 de: 3 Sole OL 98 17 32 7) Sv 6, 653 475 16
il, ERO So Sie cate | hae 39.7 | 78 110 124-1742 1 s 6,720 495 10
With yere as coe esce.| 46.1) 84 110 13:14 260 21) SW 5, 597 300 28
AaTTISE ete 63.6 | 76 102 4 49 28| SE 3,774 234 4
September........---- 64.3 | 72 100 7 40 )| 26'|.. SB 3, 257 247 24
18:
Riirth See sk ee 61.73} ‘St 79 1 30 9| NE 5, 678 360 13
Mayc eee s3-3.. = sae §2.9| 71 101 8 38 9} SW 8, 129 462 18
June rt ee 5 i ime 106 24 59 229| SW 4, 649 295 29
Drtnhyic oe ee eee 54.0} 81 102 27 | 59 1} SW 4,745 420 3
AtiguSh 2555 toa es: 47.4 | 84 105 3 52 230 | SW 4, 680 262 5
September...........- 61.8 | 66 99 21 35 19} SW 3, 874 266 23
3:
Anpiil Se oe So ae oe 68.1) 57 88 | 22 31 | 9| SW 6, 850 | 523 18
MAY toate eee ee ey 89 3 44 20 | SE 4, 531 307 2
JUNG the. wd, 54 pak 90 30 44 1|-SW 3, 694 288 | 1
Wplyecese te 59.2 80 100 10 5A 23:1 “SW 5,090 321 11
AMI SUSTEE <=) a eh Le 62.7 | 83 104 14 61 31} SW 4, 531 283 14
September ...; ¢...f.- 62.9 | 74 99 10 46 22| SW 5, 332 337 3
PAT Oo eee G2 oe 52.2} 53 86 29 22 pve | 8, 047 608 il
LY by eee eee ee eee 66.3 | 66 92 225 43 214 |.ESE | 5, 681 341 10
dj Ute er ee eee ee Sagal en wie 104 30 53 2.45 1 SW: 7, 116 431 24
lp UG ok a ne 57.9 | 80 107 1 58 28} SE 4, 565 361 12
AUIS MS Gop. o SSeS 66.6 | 74 96 30 52 | 13} SE 3, 756 250 30
peuieuibar ae eee 62.3 | 72 94 24 33 29 SE | 4,728 342 14
1921:
A al te see 3 Cay oe | De Sal oe O43), 23-1, 26 9) NW 6, 559 440 3
A 8s tye “ate ace ee eae 55.3 | 69 96 227 | 36 al WV 5, 023 255 18
dunecst SD 55 ces z, 69.8500 1 95 27| 58 19| SE 3,910 284 15
E Fri hs teas SC ee deg eed 60.8 | 81 101 18} 63 9 SE 4,555 | 426 2
PADIS ISTE es BEE Le? 53.6] 81 107 5 55 2| SE 4,351 | 255 9
September. .....-....- 56.8 | 76 93| 2) 40| 29| SW] 6,331} 429 aaa
|
1 The eae humidity was calculated from wet and dry bulb readings taken at 8a.m.,1p.m., and 5
p.m. each day.
2 The same temperature occurred on other dates. ‘
3 Data taken from Climatological Data, Oklahoma Section, Annual Summary, 1915, from records of the -
United States Weather Bureau station at Woodward, Okla.
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA. 11
TEMPERATURE.
The daily range in temperature is wide. In summer the days are
warm to hot, usually followed by cool nights. The data on mean,
maximum, and minimum temperatures, by months, for the growing
season (April to September) during the S-year period from 1914 to
1921, inclusive, are given in Table 4.
The frost-free period is of considerable moment in experimental
work when the time of seeding is a factor under observation. Data
on the date of last killing frost in the spring and the first killing
frost in the fall are available for 14 years at Woodward, and these
dates, together with the length of the frost-free period, are shown
graphically i in Figure 3. A map of the southern Great Plains area
is shown in Figure 4, on which the average annual precipitation and
the length of the frost-free period are indicated.
MAR. PPR. 1(17Y JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT OCT. aes WN
WW Gee
‘a/0 (Soon
FOZ, 2/7
oH tao >
0 GA
KK nt 1 yy
«<<>>
eee TN
KC ie TN
7/7 SS
eet
(921 Yj} 73 206 DAYS
<<< eee
ee ————————
SIFR/IL 9 OCTOBER 27
Fic. 3—Diagram showing the annual and average frost free period for the 13 years from 1909 to i921
inclusive, ‘at Woodward, Okla. (Data from the records of the United States Weather Bureau.) :
7909
ae
SAP
SHO
SHE
1F17
4/2
AULERAGE
EVAPORATION.
The loss of moisture by evaporation in this region is great. The
principal factors which influence evaporation are humidity, wind,
temperature, and precipitation. Evaporation is naturally most
rapid under conditions of low humidity, strong wind, high tem-
perature, and low rainfall.
12 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
TABLE 5.— Monthly, seasonal, and 8-year monthly average precipitation and evaporation
at the Woodward Field Station, during the growing season (April to September), during
the 8-year period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive.
[Data (in inches) furnished by the Office of Biophysical Investigations, Bureau of Plant Industry.]
Apr. May. | June. | July. Aug. | Sept. Total. |
| | | } .
= jo beens i3 Cae
Wa? er oe hee es iW ile gaye : ; : Ysa ste
4 as = fae fs = can es = a = i = = ee =U ee = Ba ke Si =
Year. feat ed es 1 Sb ega? eis Fes | ree Pee lo Peg Aebesg etre pes = |
si3s/|s 3 | & Se] wt] Shes Ss 3 Sis S ete
oy = — & aie) 1, A ee ee = qe a= = = m ro)
Ba) Eb 2 Se a ee ie eee ele | ed rare a =e
So ol Bat ve Ie deeale ar Sele Sivtes a O-.as| ae 3 | 3
=e = > Pa aa =, > 2 pe aS > ms > | @
7 ee =P Sf
| | Sas |
IME Fst IS Fe 1.7 | 6:8 | 3.2 | 6.2 | 0.6 [11.3 | 1.9 | 10.9 | 2.6} 8.91} 0.6] 8.4 | 10.6 | 52.5 | 4.94
NAGA A i se eee Soe) 5.3 | 6.7 | 2.4 | 6.6 | 3.1 | 10.0 | 3.6 | 6.5°| 5.7 | 5.8 | 26.6 | 41.6 | 1.56
WIN et ee 1.8) 5.9] 1.7 10.1 [10.3}.8.2|0 | 10.7) 1.0 | 11:1123 1°79) 17.0) 53,97 Sim
PORTE icc. hae 1.6/6.8] 1.0] 7.0] 1.4 11.5] 11/117] 6.7) 7.61 2.7| 5.3 | 1451) 49.9 | 3:44
1: ee eee 2.2/5.0) 4.0/9.3/1.9) 87] .7]) 10.1) 1.4 | 11.0] 1.2] 5.8} 11.4} 49.9 | 4.38
TOLGs kn eae 4.1 | 6.0) 4.3] 5.412.2/6.4 | 141 10.7) 1.9): 9.3 | 26 | 76 | 445 | 45.4 aa
1920... rate eee, 1.1) 7.7/3.4} 6.4] 13 10.4) 4.7] 9.8) 3.0} 6.9 | 5.0 | 7.3 | 185 | 48.5 | 2.62
7s Cee pe eet ake 1.8 | 6.9} 1.9} 80) 5.8] 7.3| 2.5) 9.3] 5.1] 10:3} 294) 8:8 | 20.0 | 50.6 | 2.53
Average.........]. 2.6/6.4 3.1 7.4/3.2 88) 19/104 3.2) 9.0} 2.6) 7.1 | 16.6 | 49.0 | 2.95
|
Table 5 shows a comparison of the monthly precipitation and
evaporation as recorded at the Woodward Field Station during the
six,months from April to September, inclusive, for each year of the
8-year period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive. The evaporation meas-
ured is from a free water surface, the method being that employed.
by the Office of Biophysical Investigations of the Bureau of Plant
Industry. During this period the evaporation has been about three
times as great as the precipitation. July has the highest average
evaporation and the lowest precipitation of the months considered
in this 8-year period, the evaporation having been more than five
times as great as the precipitation for this month. The average
evaporation and precipitation for June and August are practically
the same for this period.
CLASSIFICATION OF THE GRAIN SORGHUMS.
The grain sorghums consist of several distinct groups of varieties,
together with varieties which have doubtless originated by hybridiza-
tion and are difficult to class definitely with any of the recognized
groups. The different groups and varieties react differently to
environmental conditions and naturally give different results under
the varying climatic conditions of the southern Great Plains. To
‘understand the results of the experiments reported herein, it is
necessary to know the characters by which the groups and varieties
differ. The relation of grain sorghums to other sorghums is first |
shown and a key to the groups of grain sorghums is then presented,
indicating the characters by which the groups are distinguished.
The sorghums grown in this country may be divided into four
general agronomic divisions, as follows:
(1) Grain sorghums, sorghums grown primarily for the feeding value of the grain,
including such groups as kafir, durra and milo, and kaoliang.
(2) Sorgos, or forage sorghums, known also as sweet or saccharine sorghums, includ-
ing such varieties as Amber, Orange, and Sumac.
: (3) Broom corn, a specialized sorghum grown for the threshed panicle utilized for
rooms. }
(4) Grass sorghums, which include Johnson, Sudan, and Tunis grasses.
2 Classification from Ball, C. R., and Rothgeb, B. E. Grain-sorghum experiments in the Panhandle of
Texas. U.S. Dept. Agr. Bul. 698,91 p., 13 fig. 1918.
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 13
This bulletin treats only of the grain sorghums. The groups of
the grain-sorghum division may be separated by the following key:
Spikelets broadly obovate, one-sixth to one-fourth inch wide; seeds
large, lenticular, flattened; panicle oval-ovate, short branched, com-
See i oe eee een ee ers PR es. ll koe
Spikelets oval or narrowly obovate, one-twelith to one-sixth inch wide;
seeds midsized to small, ovoid, scarcely flattened:
Stems stout, somewhat juicy; internodes short; leaves 12 to 15,
broad, usually dark gr es REPEC me 5 eT AS eh a Karir.
Stems slender, dry; internodes longer; leaves 7 to 12, narrower and
lighter green:
Panicle _compres ssed; glumes tightly appressed to the brown
bone 1 sate tlvsg Gigs a eae ee eee KAOLIANG.
Panicle conical, loose; glumes spreading, exposing vellowish
ETO SoMa eer 9s. Se OT 82 2h SHALLU.
MILto-DURRA.
J e I !
Iwas I
WASHINGTON | YUMA CHEYENNE! N
i&e ! | RAWLINS
I 17%
|
T |
REPUBLIC INGT
5, DECATUR f > == 1 EPUB WASHINGTON
se!
GRAHAM !
B sHERMAN | THOMAS®
l Rooks , OSBORNE | mitcHett !
IKIT CARSON 5 i QSHERIDAN | | >
ee CEA
| AWA!
: o se ae
LOGAN cs RUSSELL
! p om | TREGO y el aa ase
Ki A Sebel len
G = *e— — ‘ei swortn! is)
\ aps
~
RUSH | ——
gCREELEYI : BARTON er
6 (ce
I | MARION
WICHITA ‘SCOTT LANE Me PHERSON
iets ee feree | le
‘
SHAMILTON cE ARNY ! | HARVEY -—
s
FINNEY =
= ; RENO o,
ee ----—
FORD | 7 MSE DGWI K}
.
| PRATT I
| KIOWA (e [KINGMAN
——
we NIMAS j = Xs}
Seeeesestes, Ae | a i e —
Yaa eee >
a ‘ee MORTON [STEVENS Iwano MEADE | | comancHe| BARBER SUM Et
| | | i I
|
| BEAVER |
FALFA
>
r
j AL
! o !
e IHANSFORDI !
SAE AM ISHERMAN | ° OCHILTREE ene:
ROBERTS | !
I erate
ws *Sritumany
“a>
@s
ely Sd
e I pe
0 Iwicaarcer) {perrenson ES =
° IS<0 1%
Fic. 4.—Map of the southern Great Plains, showing the average annual precipitation (dotted lines) and
the number of days in the frost-free period (solid lines).
Each of the groups is described in the account of the varietal
experiments, descriptions of the different varieties of each group
also being given.
14 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
EXPERIMENTAL METHODS.
The main objects of the grain-sorghum experiments herein reported
were to determine the relative value of different varieties, the best
time to sow the crop, and the best stand or spacing between rows and
between plants for grain production. These experiments were
conducted in plats under conditions of good farm practice as to
preparation of soil and cultivation.
SIZE AND ARRANGEMENT OF PLATS.
The land used in these experiments is divided into series, or blocks,
which are 8 rods wide and extend the entire length of the field from
north to south. The series are separated by roads 20 feet wide.
The rows extend across the series from east to west and are spaced
44 inches apart. Thus, each row occupies an area 132 feet long and
44 inches wide, or one-ninetieth of an acre. There are no alleys
between plats, so there is no border effect except at the ends of the
rows. The plats vary from 6 to 12 rows, depending on the nature
of the experiment and the land available. The row, one-ninetieth
of an acre, is considered the unit. In sowing the plats, the rows
are extended several feet into the road at each end. When the
plants have attained a height of 2 to 3 feet the ends of the rows are
trimmed to the proper limits. All the rows are harvested ordinarily,
but when adjacent plats differ materially in habit of growth or
maturity the border rows of each are discarded.
CROP ROTATION.
It has been impracticable to follow a definite crop rotation in
these experiments because of lack of suitable land. The practice
has been to use the land for experimental plats for two years, fol-
lowed by one year of uniform cropping. The object of the uniform
field crop every third year is to leave the plat land in as uniform a
condition as possible. Until 1919 the uniform crop was cowpeas, —
but this crop was found to leave the soil so loose that it blew very —
readily, and during the last two years the crop has been milo.
METHOD OF SEEDING.
A 2-row corn drill fitted with sorghum plates was used for sowing
the plats in these experiments. Seeding has always been done at
a heavy rate to insure a stand even under unfavorable conditions.
When the plants were from 4 to 10 inches high the plats were thinned
by hand to the stands desired in the different experiments.
METHODS OF OBTAINING DATA.
The plant and stalk spaces and the occurrence of suckers and
heads were obtained by actual counts of the plants, stalks, and heads
in all the rows of each plat for which these data are given. The extent
of suckering is indicated by the number of stalks per plant. The —
number of suckers per plant is obtained by dividing the number of
stalks by the number of plants and subtracting 1 from this quotient.
The percentage of headed stalks is the number of heads divided by
the total number of stalks per unit. The percentage of erect heads
in the milos is determined by dividing the number of erect heads by
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA. 15
the total number of heads produced, the quotient being multiplied
by 100 to express the result as a percentage.
The total growing period as given in this bulletin is the number
of days from seeding to maturity. The vegetative period is the
time from seeding until the heads have appeared. The date of
heading is figured as the average between the date of the first head-
ing (when most of the heads are showing through the boot or when
earlier heads are fully exserted) and the date of full heading (when
the heads of the main stalks are fully exserted). The fruiting period
is the time from the date of heading until the kernels are ripe. The
height of the plants is the average of measurements taken at several
points (usually 10) in the plats.
The plats are harvested with a corn binder, leaving a stubble
about 6 inches high. The bundles are shocked on the plat and are
left to cure for one or two months before threshing. When ready
to thresh, the bundles are hauled to the scales and weighed. Before
threshing, the heads are cut from the bundles by means of a large
knife mounted on aframe. ‘Threshing is done with a small separator.
In threshing the sorghums, it was found necessary to remove all
but one concave and slow down the cylinder to prevent too much
cracking of the grain. The grain as it comes from the separator
contains varying quantities of trash and is fanned before grain
yields and bushel weights are determined. The yields are figured
on the basis of 60 pounds to the bushel for the kafirs and 58 pounds
for other varieties.
ENVIRONING CONDITIONS.
A brief summary of the seasonal conditions for each of the eight
years 1914 to 1921, inclusive, is given to help interpret the results
obtained in these experiments.
The 1914 season was unfavorable for high yields. A rain of 1.96
inches on May 1, together with 13 light showers distributed through
the remainder of the month, brought the rainfall for May up to the
average. The seed germinated and the crops started well in this
month. June was unfavorable for crop growth, a rain of 0.61 inch
on the 15th being the only precipitation in the month, which was
marked also by high evaporation. On July 6 a good rain fell, fol-
lowed by a dry period of about a month. The rainfall for August
was below normal, and half of the rain came after the principal
varieties were ripe. The rainfall for September was but 0.56 inch
divided in six light showers. Yields of grain sorghums were low.
The season of 1915 was wet for the sorghum belt. The rainfall
for the months from April to September, inclusive, was 26.8 inches,
and this was well distributed. At no time in the growing season
did the crops lack moisture, so that high yields of most of the grain
sorghums resulted.
Conditions very unfavorable for high yields prevailed during the
1916 season. While the seasonal precipitation was slightly above
normal, this was due entirely to heavy rains during one month, June.
The rainfall for the other five of the growing months was below the
average, no precipitation whatever occurring in July. The six weeks
of drought following the rainy June was responsible for the low yields.
Evaporation for the season was the highest on record at this station.
The sorghums headed and fruited during the drought, and the rain-
fall of August was not enough to help production. The result was a
16 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
low yield of all grain sorghums, with the lowest yields of kafirs’
obtained during the 8-year period.
The seasonal distribution of rainfall in 1917 was very unfavorable
for normal development of crops. The rainfall for April, May,
June, and July was much below normal, while that of August was
more than double that month’s average. Evaporation for June and
July was the highest recorded at this station for these two months. |
These conditions caused the sorghums to make a second growth in
August and September, which prolonged the growing period until —
frost. Frost occurred two weeks earlier than the average date. In
spite of poor distribution of moisture during the earlier part of the
summer, average yields of grain were obtained from the milos, and
high yields were obtained from the kafirs.
The season of 1918 was dry. The rainfall of each month from
April to September was below the average, with the exception of
May, which was slightly above the average. The rainfall in June,
July, and August was not sufficient to produce crops, and hot winds
in these months were very detrimental to plant growth. As a con-
sequence, low yields of all grain sorghums and the lowest yields of
the milos in the 8-year period were produced.
The 1919 season is an excellent example of a season with a com- —
paratively low rainfall during the months of June, July, August, and —
September, distributed in such a manner as to maintain crop growth
and return high yields of grain sorghums. The seasonal precipita-
tion, April to September, was 2 inches below the 8-year average, yet
high yields of practically all grain sorghums were obtained.
The seasonal precipitation of 1920 was 2 inches above the average
and was fairly well distributed. One droughty period from July 10
to August 10, during which no effective rains occurred, cut the yields —
of milos that were heading at that time. The yields of grain sorghums
in general were high, and 1920 was an excellent season in the sorghum
belt.
The season of 1921 was very favorable for crop production. The —
seasonal precipitation was 3.5 inches above the average and was well
distributed. Though the rainfall in April and May was below the
average, that of the months of June, July, August, and September
was above normal. There were droughty periods during the latter
part of both July and August, but rains came before serious damage
was done. The results were high yields of the important varieties
of grain sorghum.
VARIETAL EXPERIMENTS.
The objects of the varietal experiments were to determine the
adaptation and value of the different groups and of the more impor-
tant varieties ineach group. The varietal studies with grain sorghums
were started in 1914, and the results for eight years are reported.
The varieties and strains with which the work was started were
obtained from the Amarillo Cereal Field Station, Amarillo, Tex., and
were those which experiments at that station had shown to be best
adapted to the sorghum belt, varieties of all groups of grain sorghums
being included. The policy since these experiments were begun has
been to discard those varieties and strains which prove to be of no
economic value for this district and to add any new or promising
variety or strain about which information is desired. In certain
Bul. 1175, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. PLATE [.
og
a ITS Y £0 55S
Fic. |.—TYPICAL HEADS OF THE MILO-DURRA GROUP.
Sorghums grown in 1921 at the Woodward Field Station: No. 332, Dwarf Yellow milo; No. 627,
Dwarf White milo; No. 480, Early White milo; No. 623, Spur feterita; No. 182, feterita; No. 81
White durra.
Fic. 2.—TYPICAL HEADS OF THE KAFIR GROUP.
Sorghums grown in the varietal plats at the Woodward Field Station in 1921: No. 71, Standard
Blackhull kafir; No. 628, Reed kafir; No. 340, Dawn (dwarf) kafir; No. 472, Sunrise kafir; No. 370,
White kafir; No. 566, White African kafir; No. 432, Pink kafir; No. 34, Red kafir.
PLATE II.
1175, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.
Bul.
‘1261 ‘9 Joquioydoy ‘u0TVeIg Poly paem ;
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oy ye poydeisojoyg ‘ote aod spoysnq g'ze popyporA yerd sry,
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a eRe
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, £7
cases varieties of no economic value have been continued, because —
of a constant demand for information regarding them.
Results obtained from all selections, strains, and races of all the
varieties under experiment in any or all of the eight years from 1914
to 1921, inclusive, are presented in the tables that follow. The
importance of a iull presentation of the climatic factors has already
been indicated; it is even more necessary to give full agronomic
data which show the reaction of the varieties to the varying environing
- conditions. The data in the tables, therefore, include not only yields
but many other agronomic data which show conditions of the experi-
ments as well as the response of the varieties. These data include
the row space occupied by each plant and stalk, the length in days
of the vegetative and fruiting periods and of the total growing
period, the extent of suckering, the height of the plants, the percentage
of stalks headed, the percentage of seed in the total crop, and (in the
milos) the percentage of erect heads.
The date of seeding the varietal experiments has varied somewhat
from year to year, the plan being to seed these experiments as near
the middle of May as conditions permit. The dates of seeding
these experiments in the several years are: 1914, May 11; 1915,
May 26, reseeded on June 22; 1916, May 16 and 17; 1917, May 15;
1918, May 14; 1919, May 19; 1920, May 19; and 1921, May 17 and 18.
Each of the grain-sorghum groups is considered separately, a brief
description of its distinguishing characters and a description of each
variety included in these experiments being given.
THE MILO-DURRA GROUP.
The main characters which distinguish the milo-durra group from
the other grain-sorghum groups are: Stems slender to midstout, dry
and pithy, ripening with or before the seed; panicles short, broad,
ovate or oval, short-branched, compact; seeds large. The varieties
of this group represented in these experiments are milo, feterita, and
White durra. Heads of several typical varieties of the milo-durra
group are shown in Plate I, Figure 1.
THE MILOS.
Standard Yellow milo was the first milo introduced into the grain-
sorghum belt. Later, a white-seeded variety appeared, which is the
counterpart oi the original milo except that the seed is white instead
of orange yellow. A Dwarf Yellow milo has been in cultivation for
about 15 years and has largely replaced the tall variety. The differ-
ence between the standard and dwarf milos is mainly in stature. At
Woodward, Okla., the height of standard and dwarf milos has
averazed in the ratio of 3 to 2. During recent years a dwarf white
milo has made its appearance. As before stated, color of seed is the
only apparent difference between the yellow and white varieties.
The orange-yellow color of milo is not objectionable, as this color is
not associated with a bitter or astringent flavor as is the brown color
- of certain kaoliangs and sorgos. On the other hand, the orange-
- yellow grain of milo frequently brings a premium on the market
when it is to be used in mixed poultry feed.
At the beginning of these experiments three selections of Standard
Yeilow milo, one of Standard White milo, and three of Dwarf Yellow
45019—23—Bull. 1175——3
18
milo were obtained from the Amarillo Cereal Field Station for trial, |
BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
At the end of three years it was found advisable to discard two
selections of Standard Yellow milo and one of the Dwarf milo.
The
remaining selections have been grown in the varietal experiments for
the full 8-year period.
As the varieties and races of milo respond —
to environing conditions in practically the same manner, the data for
all milos are considered under one caption.
the different varieties of milo are given in Table 6.
White milo is shown in Plate II, Figure 1.
The agronomic data for
A plat of Dwarf.
TABLE 6.—Agronomic data for milo grown at the Woodward Field Station during the 8
year period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive.
{In the statement of yields of grain per acre the bushel is rated at 58 pounds.]
Variety
and year.
STANDARD
YELLOW.
Col: Nowe |
Average.
@.TNo.223:
Row space. | Length of period.
|
|
|
Yields per acre.
Average.
STANDARD
WHITE.
Ci Nov352:
‘Average.
EARLY WHITE.
C.I.No. 480: |
DWARF YEL- |
LOW.
C.I. No. 149: |
Average.|
& eis Erect | Stalks Bom a i
ege- oy eads. i
Plant. Stalk.| ta- | #2 potay| Plant. Wetted Dees oe
tive. | 18: | sche Sa
In. In. Days.| Days. | Days. P.ct.| P.ct.| Feet. | P.ct.) Lbs, | Lbs. | Bus.
1 Toh eee 30 | 102} 1.97 | 97.8) 645] 4.8/15.5| 5,100) 790) 13.6
9.7 |) 6:8 “75 38 |» 113 | 1.43-| 48.8 | 64.3 | 6.71. 9.1] 7 695) 7698 1 92D
7.040 &84) i 72 40] 112] 1.11] 98.3] 58.9] 4.0] 23.3] 3,200] 745] 128
10.6| 6.9] 73 36 109} 1.50 81.6 | 62.6 | 5.2| 16.0) 5,332| 744] 12.8
| |
1 j | 1 1} 1
ie ee | H i {
16.4] 81] 72! 30} 102] 2.02] 9617] 69.2] 4.8 | 17:91 5.328 | 954). 1a
9.2} 6.8] 75 | 38 |. 113") 1.385) 43.1.1 66:5] 6.7 | °8.9 1S 460105, 756
7.1) 6.7] 72| ~ 40 | 1924 4-068 |" 99:7°|° 63.0 | 40° | 20.6 4 3015 4 G215 ie
10.9| 7.2| 7 36 | 109 | 1.48 | 79.6) 66.2 | 5.2 | 15-8 | 5,601 | 777 13.4
ae eS SS - ————
| | |
9.1 | 6.8 | 72 30| 102} 1.29) 981) 762] 4.8) 38.2 | 2,790 | 1,067] 18.2
B21 6.5 | aS 38 | 113] 1.31 | 46.0] 76:7| 6.7 | 14.2 | 8,213 | 1,164 | 20.1
7.4) 7.2) 72) 40/ 112] 1.03] 99.5) 70.1] 4.0] 20.8 | 3,555 | 738) 12.7
133. |. 5 2 AGz 43 | 150} 1.40] 68.2] 84.2] 5.3 | 19.5 | 5,805 |1,130| 19.4
1.3:) > 5.9 \498 31/109] 1.25 | 97.64 21.6| 3.5] 63] 2,205 — 140) 24
6.9| 6.3| 86! -31] 117] 1.11] 96.1] 92.2]- 5.9 | 279 |-8550 | 2.385 | aid
SiAq 6.3 '- 90 37 | 127] 1.30] 89:8} 91.4] 4.9 | 21.8 | 7,678 | 1,697 | 29.3
9.8'| 8:9 | ~ 72 38 | 110] 1.10} 86.1| 92.9] 6.8 | 33.9 | 6,638 | 2,250] 38.8
3.0| 66| 82) 36| 118] 1.22| 85.2) 75.7| 5.2| 22.8 | 5,679 | 1,321 22.8
| | |
| | |
8.0 | 6.9} 75 30°} 105)\¢-4.4¥. 1 983.) 53-4} a0 120. S23
At re ai 36| 113} 1.43 | 44.9]. 70.07) 7.2113. 21.7
725 | WED | PA 40| 114| 1.03] 99.8| 54.2] 4.3] 13 6.1
9.5 | 4.9.| 107 4351-1504 1980 72. 8h s7Grd| eee on in 18.9
7-6 tab Se 78 31] 109 |- 1.82) 97.92 97.3 [Yaa |=: 2.3
8.4 | 6.44. 86 31 | 117] 1.31] 96.0| 86.6| 6.9 | 23. 37.8
7991.73.81) 24 90 a7'| 127 | 1.37) 87.41" 90.8" | 408 eat 28. 8
9.5|° 9.0] 72 38 | 110] 1.05! 762} 91.3 |. 6.8 | 30. 34.1
g.2| 64| s2|° ‘36| 418 }* 1.33 | e421 67.8 | 54 17. 19.7
| | | rl ed
|
| | |
8.6] 5.2] 72] 32] 104] 1.65] 94.6] 89.9 | 5.5 | 25.8 | 5,231 | 1,350 |* 23.3
7.5.| 6.7| 67 27-| 94] 1.12} 61.7] 9461 6.8 | 38.0) 5,006 | 1,901 | 32.8
} —— oe i = —————
| |
| | | if
9.0} 63| 72] 31 | 163 | 1,43) “982° 76.9) “3-8 FOL 1S G3) See
8: 50 AZ 75 38 | 113] 1.79 | 61.7| 85.7] 5.0| 21.1 | 9,855 |.2,07%9 | 35.8
6.1] 5.6] 72] » 40] 112] 1.09} 99.8] 55.5 | 3.0] 24.2] 2.475.| 509) 10:3
7.9| 5.5| 73| 36] 109| 1.44| 866| 727| 3.9 | 22.1 | 5,361 | 1,157 | 19.9
=} =, ——
ee ee eee eee eee Oe
;
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 19
’ TasLe 6.—Agronomic data for milo grown at the Woodward Field Station during the 8-
year period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive—Continued.
| Row space. | Length of period. | Yields per acre.
and year. | 7 ege- eads. :
Plant. Stalk. ta- ie. | Total, Plant. pene ere | tole” Grain.
ese = Ps
|
DWARF YEL- | | |
LOW—Ccon. | |
C.I.No.332: In. In. |Days.| Days. Days. Pret. | PE. chi) Meck Pet.) Lbs..| Ebse Bus
1914. | 6.3 a. 4 72 31 | 1.17} 996 98.2 3.8 | 15.6 | 3,690 576 9.9
mete oe] 7.3 4.3 75 38 | 8 1-76), “69:1 82.8 5-0 | 21.1 |10, 260 | 2,169 | 37.4
PIG 6:7 | 6.3 71 4] 112 1.07 | 99.9] 59.3 3.0 | 24.9 | 2,295 572 9.9
Ge = ss aoe 4.5 107 43 150 IER: 53.9 ; 85.2 3.0 | 19.7 | 4,650 915 15.8
, 1) ee B29 th 5c L 78 31 109 £S0FF 9550, ) AS. 5 2-0 | 10.3 | 1,600 165 2.8
Jif ee 6:2. 1.9.6) 86: | Sey ALF 119 42 99.5 a S325 3.7 | 30.5 | 4,905 | 1,494 25.8
920. . 8.2 6.2 90 5 i ee 1.31 88. 0 92.1 3.1 | 27.0 | 5,670 | 1,530 26. 4
1921. . f 8 4/ 6.8 72 38 110 1.24 | 84.6]. 95.2 4.9 | 37.7 | 6,390 | 2,412 41.6
Average.| 7.2| 5.5| 81 36| 118} 1.33 |-85.8| 71.9] 3.6 | 23.4 | 4,933 | 1,229] 21.2
C.1. No. 359: | | = fe |
(TX eee ee BL ese al ieee 31 103 1.19 | 97.5 61.0 3:8 | 17.9 | 2,565 459 7.9
ite ah 8.6 2 ie eee 38 113 1.93 50.1 84.7 5.0 | 21.8 |10, 294 | 2,245 38.7
dots S255 Gs | 6.3 71 | 41 7¢ 1142 1.07 ; 100.0 55.0 3.0 | 21.7 ; 1, 845 401} 6.9
i oe ae 7.4) 4.4 107 43 150 1. 66 65.8 87.6 3.0 | 24.4 | 4,275 | 1,044] 18.0
1918 fee SB le LS 31; 109 1.38 | 99.7 19.1 2.0 | 10.3 | 1,530 158 fet
LO 6.9) 5.6 86 31 17 1. 23 99.0 | 84.8 3 7 | 30.0 | 6,480 | 1,944 | 33.5
1929 8.1 | 6.2 90 37 127 [BBY 86.7 91.6 3.1 | 33.1 | 4,556 | 1, 508 26.0
1921 8.7 | 6.6 73 37} 110 1.32 73.2 | 94.5 4.9 | 37.0 | 6,356 | 2,351 40.5
Average. py: 7? | &2 36 |- 118 1.39 | 84.6 hand 3.6 | 24.5 | 4,738 | 1,264 | 21.8
DWARF |
WHITE. ine |
| | | |
C.1. No. 627: | | bares |
1920. ed ieee VAP 8.3 90 Sh l- Lats) @ (55, }\- 85. f 96.5} 3.2] 30.1] 5,850 | 1,661 28.6
1921. ea 726} or 7S/1<* 3744100 } 1.31] -78.6-| 1928 | > 4.9 | 36.4 | 6,019 | 2,194 | 37.8
The vegetative peried for the milos has varied from 72 days in the
years 1914, 1916, and 1921 to 107 days in 1917, the average duration
of the vegetative period being 82 days. The long vegetative period
in 1917 was due to the drought of June and July, which occurred
before the milos had headed, followed by late rains which caused
second growth. The ripening period of milos has varied from 30 and
31 days in various years to 43 days in 1917, with an average of 36
days for the 8-year period. The teteth of the total growing period has
been from 102 days in 1914 to 150 ‘days i in 1917, averaging 118 days
for the 8 years. The variations in duration of vegetative, ripening,
and total growing periods can be accounted for by a study of the
climatic “conditions, especially precipitation, obtaining during the
growing seasons.
The average row space intended for each plant of milo in these
experiments was about 7 inches. The variation from this spacing
has been considerable at times, but the averages have not been far
from the spacing desired. By a study of Table ‘6 it may be seen that
the stands have been fairly comparable between varieties in any year;
also between those of the different years.
The average stalk space has varied with the season and with the
varieties, it being dependent on the plant space and extent of sucker-
ing. The average for the eight years has been 6.6 inches for the.
Standard Yellow milo, 6.4 inches for the Standard White milo, and
5.6 inches for the two selections of Dwarf Yellow milo. The extent of
20 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
suckering is indicated by the data in the column headed ‘Stalks per
plant.” The figures for the milos indicate that the dwarf muilos
sucker to a greater extent than the standard milos, also that the se-—
lection of Standard White milo produced more suckers than the
selection of Standard Yellow milo, C. I. No. 234.
In height of plant there has been great variation, due to seasonal
conditions, the Standard Yellow milo varying from 3.5 feet in 1918 to
6.8 feet in 1921, with an 8-year average of 5.2 feet. The average
height of the Standard White milo has been 5.4 feet. The two
selections of Dwarf Yellow milo have extremes of height of 2 and 5
feet in 1918 and 1915, respectively, and an average height of 3.6 feet —
for the eight years. The ratio in height between the standard and —
dwarf milos is close to 3 to 2.
The average of erect heads in the milos during the eight years
is close to 85 per cent, the dwarf and standard varieties showing-but —
little difference in this character. A low percentage of erect heads in—
milo is correlated with vigorous or rapid growth at the time of head- —
ing, hence the expression of this character is dependent on enyironing ~
conditions before and during heading time. |
The stalks headed fell below 22 per cent for all the milos in 1918, ©
the year of poorest yields, and above 90 per cent in 1920 and 1921. —
The nearest approach to a correlation between the yield of grain and —
any other agronomic character is with the percentage of stalks ©
headed. A correlation of this nature depends on the supposition that —
the row space per stalk is fairly constant for the plats compared.
The percentage of seed in the total crop has been slightly higher
for the dwarf than for the tall varieties of milo. The average total —
crop weight for the eight years is highest for Standard White milo,
with over 6,000 pounds per acre. The dwarf milos averaged less than
5,000 pounds per acre.
The average grain yield for the eight years was 22.8 bushels for the
selection of Standard Yellow milo, 21.8 and 21.2 bushels for the two —
selections of Dwarf Yellow milo, and 19.7 bushels for the Standard
White milo. The lowest yields for all milos were in 1918, less than 3
bushels per acre. The highest yields of the dwarf selections were —
obtained in 1921 and of the standard selections in 1919. :
The only milo grown which varies in behavior from the foregoing —
varieties or selections is Karly White milo (C. I. No. 480), which has —
been grown in these experiments for but two years. . In these years
it has matured in less time than the other varieties, both the vege-
tative and ripening periods being shorter than for the other varieties.
FETERITA.
Feterita* is a variety of the durra subgroup which has received —
much attention throughout the sorghum belt since the dry season
of 1913. Under the conditions existing at Woodward, Okla., during
the period of these experiments feterita has averaged in height the
same as Standard Yellow milo. The stalk of feterita is more slender
than milo under similar conditions, and the head, or panicle, which
is always erect, is more elongated and less compact. The seeds are
chalky white or bluish white, which color is associated with a brown
3 Vinall, H. N., and Ball, C. R. Feterita, a new variety of sorghum. Jn U.S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant
Indus. Cire. 122, p. 25-32. 1913.
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA. ae
‘inner coat. This seed color is similar to that of dwarf hegari and
certain white-seeded kaoliangs, any of which when crossed with any
ordinary white-seeded variety, as white-seeded Kafirs, white milo,
white durra, or shallu, gives a brown-seeded progeny in the F, gen-
eration. Feterita seeds are softer than those of milo and are more
susceptible to decay in cool, damp soils.
One selection of feterita (C. 1. No. 182) has been included in these
_ experiments for the entire eight years. A second selection was grown
_ for two years and discarded as of no greater value than C. I. No. 182.
Spur feterita* was received in 1919 and has been included in the
experiments since that date. The agronomic data and results ob-
tained from feterita are presented in Table 7.
TaBLE 7.—Agronomic data for feterita and white durra grown at the Woodward Field
Station during the eight-year period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive.
[In the statement of yields of grain per acre the bushel is rated at 58 lbs.]
{
}
Row space. | Length of period. | Yields per acre.
= , | ae Peeks aire Height) Grain
ariety and year. | Ve per ead-| of | cin
g- oa Total
Plant. Stalk.! eta- | EFUit-|potgy, Plant.) ed. plants.| crop. crop.| ‘Grain.
| | tive | |
see esa Be er a
FETERITA. |
C. I. No. 182: Ins. | Ins. Days. | Days. |Days. P.ct.| Feet. | P.ct.; Lbs. | Lbs. | Bush.
pee eS 14.0! 7.2] 63| 39] 102| 1.96| 896] 48] 46.0/1,251| 576| 9.9
ke 8 Ce ts 8.5 5. 0 60 42 102 170 | 81.7 | 6.0 25.1 | 5,805 | 1,458 25.1
PG Se 9.0 | 8.3 60 | 39 99 1.09} 73.9| 4.8 28.8 | 1,530 44) 4.G
io) ee eee ES 3.8 106 | 36 142 2.00 | 88.0[ 48 19.6 | 4,050 792 13: 7
TSESS = 22-2 6:9 -5.0 63 24 87 | 1.36 | 64.9] 3.5 20.5 | 1,800 369 6.4
so 6.9: | -5.0 66 34 $0012 F239"). 9228.)-. 5.7 37.3 | 6,581 | 2,280 | 39.3
th 7. fe ai 7.3 | 4.2 68 | 35 103 jy S452 s 530 28.8 | 5,906 | 1,699 29.3
f i a 86; 6.1 67 | 2h 94 1. 42 | 97.4 6. 7 37.0 | 6,466 | 2,396 41.3
- =, | j i |
; Average. 8.6| 5.6]; 69| 35] 104| 1.58] 95.3[ 5.2| 30.4] 4,174] 1,251] 21.6
| C.I. No. 567 | | | | |
Pree ses. -& 83°} 6.5 64 | 43 107 Lr 88.9; 6.5 | 26.5 | 5,231 | 1,384 23.9
2 ae Tots! Tyas. 65 43 108 1. 08 5 a) rns 19.3 | 2,025 | 392 6.8
SPUR FETERITA | | |
C. I. No. 623 ‘oe oe | | |
£919 12.4 9.4 (oN 33 105 £32 95.7 5a 34.9 | 5,670 | 1,980 34.1
eT 20 8.1 6.0 (o-e 39 A ii bi 1. 36 91.3 4.6 24.7 | 7,136 | 1,633 28. 2
1 i 7 pe iy 2.) 10:6 75 31 | 106 j apes 95:3; 6:4 42.4 | 5,513 2,340 40.3
Average.....| 01.2} &7/| 73| 34| 107| 1.31) 941| 5.4] 34.0] 6,106|1,984| 34.2
WHITE DURRA. | | | |
€.1. No. 81:
jn: |: ae Sareea 6.5 6.4 61 | 30 91 1. 02 96.5 | 4.8 30.3 | 1,827 554 | 9.5
2) a ee ee 9.0 6.6 60 | 40 100 cA 79.1 6.2 29.1 | 4,770 | 1,386 | 23.9
No se iL 2 6.4 58 38 96 1512 78.3 | 5-6, 38.1 | 1,170 | 446 7G
Average..... 7.6) 65| 60| 36| 96] 1.16| s46| 5.3] 325] 2,589) 795) 13.7
| | } } |
The total length of growing period of feterita has varied from 87
days in 1918 to 142 days in 1917, the average for the 8 years being
104 days, as compared with 118 days for the milos. The vegetative
period of feterita has been shorter than that of milo, averaging 69
_ days, as compared with 82 days for milo. The fruiting or ripening
period has been of practically the same duration as for milo, 35 and
36 days, respectively.
5 4Conner, A. B., and Dickson, R. E. Spur feterita. Texas Agr. Expt. Sta, Bul. 275, 28 p., 14 fig. 1921.
22 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 4
The average row space per plant of feterita is greater than for milo. —
The feterita produced enough suckers to make the row space per
stalk less than standard milo and identical with that of the dwarf
milos. The total crop yield of feterita has been less than that for
milo, but the grain yields have averaged practically the same. The
percentage of seed in the total crop, therefore, is higher for feterita
than for milo. |
Spur feterita has been grown in these experiments for 3 years,
1919 to 1921, inclusive. During these 3 years it has had an average
growing period of 107 days, made up of a vegetative period of 73
days and a ripening period of 34 days, as compared with 99 days
total growing period, 67 days vegetative period, and 32 days ripening
period for ordinary feterita. The Spur variety has averaged 21 fewer
suckers to 100 plants than the C. I. No. 182, though the row space per
plant was 3.6 inches greater for Spur than for the other variety.
“In grain yields ordinary feterita has outyielded Spur in each of the
three years, the averages being 36.6 and 34.2 bushels to the acre, re-
spectively. In view of the variation in stands between the two
varieties this difference of yield can not be regarded as significant.
WHITE DURRA.
f One selection of White durra was grown in these experiments during
the first three years, after which it was discarded because of its unde-
sirable characters. The grain shatters easily, and the abundant
pubescence and awns make the crop disagreeable to handle. The
data on White durra for the three years are presented in Table 7.
TABLE 8.— Yields of the varieties and races of the milo-durra group of grain sorghums
grown at the Woodward Field Station during the 8-year period from 1914 to 1921‘
inclusive.
Yields per acre (58-pound bushels).
Average.
Variety and C. I.
No. |
1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 3 years, | 2 yeas 3 years, 8 years,
| 1914 to and 1919 to | 1914 to
1916. 1921. 1921. 1921.
Standard Yellow |
milo:
in bed Ae See BRN wicca ger 6 perpht erro Ooh a mim kip a 12..8°| 222 22 Ie ee
MO: 223) ote 16.54 ( (13k OM A 1GL7 las et oe | ea eoleee ie eee PT: 4 ce ee
INO; 2345 oor St 1842 5|/ 20! Te el. Fel WO! 4 (22048 | Alo 122058093858) ieee D 34.0 36.4 22.8
£tandard White | |
milo: |
No. BO aan a= Boule 6.1 | 18.9 PRIN aii f5 | 28.18) oko 4 12.0 | olan See 19. 7
INO 4806 2 Ss eo bs See alice eal tae lA ef ee eel D353" 320 Silos soe son ee eee lee
Dwarf Yellow milo: |
Wipema9 te IS 7) 35; 8 | Ona |. a lee ee ee ee eae 1099" eee te eteaae
Niisso2scs. ee fhe 9. 980374 9.9 | 15.8 258°) 2508-|-2604 |_4186 19.1 34.0 SRT) 2152
Noas5oeec yes iy Aaa | aster A 6.9 | 18.0 PATRI PBR EES | 26.0 | 40.5 17.8 BBA Bates) 21.8
Dwarf White milo: | | | |
Nes O2/7 CERI Re pee es Tee Seale Sx poe Pra 2 IES, | OteSdee tase eer Bah 220 3 alee
TF eterita: | | |
Norlg2e-t 2 258 219.9) 25: I CR Ol teal BG 7/ 6.4 | 39.3 | 29.3.) 41.3 14.2 Bone 35.6 | Z1S6
Nionb6se- sce [eg A | 23.9 6:8 |. cect ctrscce thee Sols be 2 SIE Spe a ee Se een el | ee
INIGHO23 5 <2 eee ee ane in ees jee weed |omreeenn SALT e282 Dara fee 3h.3 od: 2] cee
White durra:
NiO, Ble. .- she nono Nes, Pip dT |. co.) atas ame eee 13.7 Jo & 22d cen ee
|
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 23
COMPARATIVE YIELD OF THE MILOS AND DURRAS.
Table 8 shows the annual and average yields of the varieties of the
milo-durra group grown at Woodward, Okla., during the 8-year
period under consideration. Several short-period averages are given,
so that varieties which have been grown for less than eight years may
be compared more readily with those for which the data for the full
eight years are available. The five varieties grown in the eight
years do not differ greatly in average yields, the variation between the
two extremes, Standard Yellow milo and Standard White milo, being
about 3 bushels.
THE KAFIR GROUP.
The kafir group as a whole possesses the following characters:
Stems stout, semijuicy; leaves eect dark green; panicles erect,
cylindrical; lemmas not awned; seeds midsized to small. The
varieties of kafir grown in these experiments are Blackhull, Dawn,
Sunrise, Reed, White, Pink, and Red. Most of these varieties differ
from the others by but few observable characters, and often these
characters are those of seed color or glume color and are apparent
to even the casual observer. Commercially the kafirs are of first
importance among the grain sorghums in Kansas and central Okla-
homa. Typical heads of the different varieties of kafir are shown in
Plate I, Figure 2.
The agronomic data obtained from the kafir varieties are given in
Table 9. In view of the differences between varieties and their
reaction to enyironing conditions, each variety or subgroup of kafir
is discussed separately.
BLACKHULL KAFIR.
Two selections of Blackhull kafir were originally included in the
varietal experiments, but these proved to be practically identical,
_ and after three years one was discarded. In 1917 another Blackhull
kafir ( C. I. No. 71) was obtained from the Amarillo Cereal Field
Station and has been included in these experiments since then.
During the fall of 1919 a distinct variety of Blackhull kafir was
noticed at the local county fair, and a number of heads were ob-
tained for seed. This kafir (C. I. No. 628) was placed in the varietal
experiments the following season, and results are available for two
years. This is a superior strain and in the two years has produced
high grain yields. It has been named Reed kafir to distinguish
it from other Blackhull strains. This kafir was originally selected
and distributed by W. N. Reed, of Elk City, Okla.
Table 9 shows that on the average the vegetative period of C. I.
No. 204 at Woodward has been 82 days, varying in the 8 years from
67 days in 1915 to 108 days in 1917. The short vegetative period
in 1915 was caused by a late reseeding of the varieties, together
with optimum growing conditions which caused rapid development.
The long vegetative period of 1917 was due to dry weather during
June and July, causing a suspension of growth, followed by a rainy
August, with a resulting second growth. The fruiting period has
averaged 37 days in duration, with a variation from 30 to 46 days.
From Table 9 it may be noted that the Blackhull kafir (C. I. No. 71)
requires a longer growing period than does C. I. No. 204, the total
24
growing period being from 1 to 2 weeks longer. A plat of C. I. N O.
The latest addition to the varietal —
71 is shown in Plate II, Figure 2.
experiments, Reed kafir (C. lL. No. 628), seems to stand between
the other two varieties in length of growing period, being nearer to-
C. I. No. 204 in this respect than to C. I. No. 71. |
i ie.
BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
TABLE 9.—Agronomic data for kafir varieties grown at the Woodward Field Station
during the 8-year period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive.
{In the statement of yields of grain per acre the bushel is rated at 60 pounds.]
Row space. | Length of period. | Yields per acre.
et d ‘Stalks |Stalks Height} Grain |
gh a ateee | per_|head-| of, | in |
’ : _ | Vege- | Fruit- | plant.| ed. plants.) crop. | Total. g
Plant.| Stalk. tative. ing. | Total. | crop. Grain.
BLACKHULL. |
C. I. No. 207: In. In. | Days.| Days.) Days. | P.ct. | Feet. | P.ct.| Lbs. | Lbs. | Bus.
1914. 23S 14.1 10.7 81 32} 113 i BEA d&. 9 |. 3.) |e AG Bale Bos 513 8.5
iG fae elt Tae 71 42°) 113 | ‘1.51 | 61.4 |> 5.7 |-218 | 6:570 | 1,431 Aaa
LOGE sae 9.0 8.5 74 AD 2 ANG-12- DOG 51. 223;,00 es B20 3.5 | 1,530 54 9
Average..| 11.9 9.2 75 39 114] 1.29] 53.1] 4.1 14.9 | 3,585 666 Hit
C. I. No. 204 | | |
gb 2 2 a a eet ES Fad eed Mag 10 i? 81 | 32 113 1.29 | 74.1 3.5 | 28.1 | 1,890 531 8.8
AL 5 [ee ee 10.0 6.6 67 46 113 iL Wy 7 5.5 | 20.8 | 6,525 | 1,359 22.6
19 Nee S04" Sao 74 44 118 1.06 | 38.9 3.0 8.3 | 1,750 145 2.4
1h) ibd: Dah her sions 108 | 42 150 |} 2.01 76.3 5.0 | 22.9 | 5,850 | 1,341 22.3
TGTSs 22>. 12.2 9.4 83 30 113 131 66.5 | 4.0] 16.9 | 2,880 486 8.1
T9192. 12.4); 9.0 81 32 AIS sehsed (Ie loue 4.0 | 25.5 | 4,950 | 1,260 21.0
1920S. 5.5 13.2| 8.6 87 | 36 123 | hd 54 Ge 4.3 | 33.0 | 3,881 | 1,283 21.4
17) le 12:0. | 1053 71 34 105; 1.17; 90.2 4.7 | 38.8; 4,243 | 1,646 27.4
Average..| 11.7| 85| 82] 37| 119! 1.41| 70.8| 4.3 243] 3,996|1,006| 168
| =| ————
C. I. No. 71: , |
1917 13.5 6.3 120 305) 2250:) 2514.) 91-3 5.0 | 20.7 | 8,500 | 1,760 29.3
1918 IQE1 10.6 88 39 127 1.14 | 26.2 3.5 4.5 | 2,750 125 2.1
1919 12.9 11.9 86 41-}_ “427. 1.08 | 91.3 4.0} 30.0 | 5,940 | 1,782 29.7
1920 12) LE 93 42 135.4) E084" 90: 7 4.5 | 34.9 | 6,043 | 2,108 ee I
1921 12.5 11.3 78 34 L2. |. -1591"|- 96.4 5.0 | 40.5 | 5,721 | 2,314 38. 6
12.6| 10.3] 93| 37] 130] 1.31|-792| 4.4] 261] 5,791 | 1,618 | 27.0
C. I. No. 628 | [- |
19203 ae 5 A as 85 40 125} 1.14} 95.4 5.0 | 35.1] 6,493 | 2,276 37.9
WO21 Se 13.0 | 11.4 72 36 | 108/ 1.15) 98.1 5.9 | 36.8 | 6,143 | 2,194 36. 6
SUNRISE. |
C.I. No. 472: | |
7 Rae ar RAGE 10.4 a 36) 107 120 | Boal 4.5 | 38.3 1,620 621 10.3
I Br etre SS 9.1 4.8 66 ABMs WI 1.89 | 59.9 7.3 | 21.8 |10,575 | 2,340 39.0
OIG: =. 32 8.9 7.8 73 AAS OAT. SToete Pica 5.0! 10.4 | 3,550 370 6.2
1 re OF") TeSE9 108 42 150 | 2.49} 97.1 7.0} 21.9 10,125 | 2,214 36.9
ABTS oe. = 12.0 7.9 79 34 113 152 Oy GSiet: 5.0 APSE Nad oo 576 9.6
ONG EPS. 2 1222 5.9 81 41 122 | 2.06 88. 4 6.0 | 24.3 | 9,315 | 2,264 Si pare
ibs) 3 Sr 12.8 6.9 85 33) | 4125 1.85 | 95.4 6.1 | 27.0 | 7,875 | 2,126 35.4
NOPE Sos. 32 10. 2 8.4 69 34 103 1, 22 97.1 6.7 | 36.2 | 5, 2,115 35.2
; |
Average..| 11.0 Le qa 79 39} 118) 1.68] 82.8 6.0 24.6 | 6,536 | 1,578 26.3
DAWN. |
10.2 7.0 71 36 | 107 | (1.455 75.8 3.3 24.6 | 2,900 710 11.8
9.6 Ty A 70 41 111 1.68 | 54.9 5.2 | 24.9 | 9,315 | 2,322 38.7
9.1 7.9 73 46 119 | 1.15 | 46.9 a) 9.3 | 2,300 215 3.6
10.3} 4.3| 108| 42) 150| 241] 96.5| 4.8] 23.7] 8,505|2,016| 33.6
12.2 Ge 79 | 34 113 1359.4) "62.2 3.7 | 14,7} 3,250 464 Jak
12.1 6.8 81 41 122 1.77 | 86.8 4.0 | 26.2 | 6,975 | 1,827 30. 4
12.2 VR 85 38 123 1.58 | 92.9 3.9 | 32.4 | 5,906 | 1,950 32.5
ah pt ee JAsZ. | S058 69 34 | 103 1.08 | 97.3 4.4) 39.5 4,838 | 1,913 31.9
Average..| 10.9| 7.2} 980] 39, 119| £59) 76.7| 4.1| 24.4 | 5,486 | 1,497
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Bul. 1175, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. PLATE IV.
Fig. |.—TYPICAL HEADS OF VARIOUS SORGHUMS.
Heads grown in 1921 in the varietal plats at the Woodward Field Station: No. 310, Blackhull
kaoliang; No. 171, Manchu kaoliang; No. 309, Valley kaoliang; No. 85, shallu; No. 615, darso; 4
No. 616, Schrock sorghum; No. 620, Dwarf hegari.
Fic. 2.—PLAT OF DWARF YELLOW MILO IN THE DATE-OF-SEEDING EXPERIMENTS.
This plat was sown on June 15 and yielded 49.6 bushels per acre. Photographed at the Woodward
Field Station, September 6, 1921.
year.
Average..!
RED.
Average...
PINK.
C. I. No. 432:
TO ZI Hey 22,
Variety and
eee]
Se
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA.
25
TaBLE 9.—Agronomic data for kafir varieties grown at the Woodward Field Station
during the 8-year period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive—Continued.
| Row space. | Length of period. | Yields per acre.
Stalks! Stalks Height Grain
| | V F it fant | og ie * Tot 1
sal | Vege-| Fruit- |plant.| ed. jplants.) crop. otal | F
‘Plant. Stalk. | ee e. ing. Total. | crop. Grain.
pep epee) | :
| |
| In. | In. | Days. | Days. | Days. Prct.| Feet \. Pct.) Tbs:-—\7 B0st. | Bis.
| 10.2 9.5 68 41 109 1.07 | 98.1 4.0 | 47.6 | 1,050 500 8.3
be 9.5 (eq) 71 42 113 Issae| 7158 Dee 26.3 | 5,715 | 1, 503 2008
S445" 8.3) | 58 | 34 | 924 1.02-) 76:2 3.5 | 31.5 | 1,530-} - 482 8.0
fot < S67 |= 104. | 46 150 | 1.80.) 95.8 4.5 29.5 | 5,400 | 1,593 26.6
12. 2 10.9 | 79 | 30 109 gta BL 66.5 SoD 15.0 | 2,340 351 5.8
12s Heya 11-6 81 | 32 113 1.10 | 91.6 Be dal 26274174, 590) |e 224 20.4
14.3 IES 84 34 18 | 21.-15 |. 83.0 3.8 | 33.0 | 3, 544 |. 1,170 19.5
3) 10:8 63 36 99} 1.05 98.6 AAR ATE 3, Slt eos. 26.1
11.3 9.7 | 76 | 37 113 BAW) hota 4.1 32.1 | 3,436 | 1, 048 17.5
| Sa
deegay aes | gir S2r\' ) 213), 1231 '\5 80.8 | '5.0:)_ 18-1572! 385 |+% 360 6.0
11.0 8.3 | 74 ADE Lif Dae an tydetes 5.6 29. 9 | 6,255. | 1, 872 Sha2
8.8 S275] Tike 57 | = 134 1.02 | 36.8 ZOOS 4G 2, Soo tok 2.2
10.9 | 6.4 109 | ANS), yA 502) 171.4 9051 6.0 7; 26-2.) 5;963").15 548 25. 8
Pei |e LOD 85 33 118 1322: 1° 56.0 4.1 A858 | 25925 374 6.2
fag ae} 9.4 84 43 127 132 87.1 ALO 226-1 | 5,535 1-1, 440 24.0
Palas 10.0 | 85 | 45 130 1.32 | 85.2 4.8 | 34.9 | 4,687 | 1,627 21.
| 113 10.3 70 38 108 ISO SOT 2 6.2 | 40.9 | 5,400 | 2,197 36.6
12.4 | 9.7 83 41| 124| 1.29| 76.4] 51] 23.9| 4,498/1,194| 19.9
| | | | |
9 ae Tih cot Tak |” 1-02) 40.3)" 8.0) “) (3) (3) (3)
10.5 6.6 109 41 150") * ab. 60: | - 89.6 4:0] 27.8"|-5, 175 | 1; 440 24. 0
1 t259 10.9 79 34 113 LESS 16726 oe) 19.6 | 2, 430 477 7.9
PAS) LOE 82 | 45 127 1.23 89.1 3.8 | 23.2 ; 5,040 | 1, 134 18.9
P2141 10.5 85 | 45 130 LSA is TB rid, 3.5 | 35.5 | 3,675 | 1,305 PART
ot Be) 2,40. 7_| 68 38 106 | 1.07 | 97.0 4.4 | 47.9 | 4,200 | 2,010 33.0
erm resi mes AS) 997)" 1.94) ee eee ea eee
| | | |
Shuey Wael Soy th ASA \/L OL | BBhAt) > BO * (3) (3) (3) (3)
ht 2 6.2{/ 109 AL s= 150), -82.)- 9056 8.0 24.5 | 6,750 | 1,656 27.6
| 12.6 10.1 91 | Bele eels, 1.26 | 44.3 4.8 19 Wo, 420 270 4.5
| 268.7 Si} | 142i| +127.) 12407) $85.44. 6.0} 29:0] 6, 030 |.19746.) 20:4
12.4 9.5 85 | 45) -130| 1.31 | 91.6 6.2 | 34.2 | 5,700 | 1,950 32. 5
List 9.9 | 72 38 |- 110} 1.12) 97.4 8.1 | 33.9 | 6,600 | 2,385 39.7
ieee a 9 8 Rg) 4D 19 F192"). Ve cG pat gi Se ctes es | GLE ee eee
| ea86| |
10.6 ora 81 | 31 MDD ele £6715 S67 4.0 | 21.0 | 2,790 585 9.8
10.7 7.6 74 39 LSE Ade 93.8 6.0 | 25.5 | 8,235 | 2,097 34.9
9.1 8.8 82 | 51 133 | 1.04 | 35. 4 3.0 5.5 | 2,205 122 2. 0
TOS: 8.5. 79 49 1399, 12051" -72..0 4.4 | 17.3 | 4,410 935 15.6
wa] s0| 81] 31.) 12} 112! 869! so! 184!2745| 504| 84
} 1JO.1 7. 8. | 7A | BOF etl Ss pale 20st OTe 5.8 | 26.0} 8,010 | 2,079 34. 7
oe sei 8:7 | 82 Ha Sa3 el AOL | 4622 B20. 3658) | 2 bbo 176 2.9
10.4 6.1 109 | 41 150 1.71 955491" 555 21.7 | 8,300 | 1,800 30. 0
| 14.4 Lea 85 36 ipl 1:19 | 70.8 4.0 15.7 | 2,800 440 E38
easy) P29 CS ST, 40.) .127 | 1.05.) 95.6 | 4.0] 28.2 | 4,590 | 1,296 | - 21.6
12.9 11.9 90 | AAS SGA | P09 H) 90.5 4.2, | 32.16") 4,838. | 1; 575' | ~ 26:3
Se. | 72) | 36 108 1.03 | 98. 3 5.4 30. 8 | 5,.850 | 2,093 34. 9
1.3] 98| 85} 40) 125} 1.19} 844) 4.5} 23.2|4962]1,245| 20.8
| | |
bs SEI). 10.8 | 68 | 31 99.| 1.03] 98.3 YY lege Vath
4,556 | 1,871 | 31.2
2 In 1916 and succeeding years data given for C. I. No. 566 are averages for dwarf and tall selections.
3 In 1916 the yields of dwarf and tall selections of C. I. No. 566 were so poor that both lots were harvested
together.
q
49019—23—Bull. 1175——-4
26 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The stands obtained for the Blackhull kafirs have been rather
uniform and permit comparisons between years and between different
selections in any one year. The desired spacing for kafirs was 12
inches between plants in the row. As was the case with the milos,
there appears to be no definite correlation between percentage of
suckers and grain yield, the nearest to a correlation being between
percentage of stalks headed and grain produced. The greatest
degree of suckering was observed in 1917, when a second growth
occurred. The average percentage of suckering for C. I. No. 204
was 40.7 for the eight years.
The average height of Blackhull kafir under Woodward conditions
has been close to 4.5 feet, ranging from 3 to 5.5 feet for the varieties
which have been grown for a period of years. Reed kafir (C. I.
No. 628) in the two years it has been grown has been taller than
either of the other two selections.
From a study of grain yields it is seen that in normal years C. I.
No. 71 is superior in yielding capacity to C. I. No. 204. The latter
selection is an inferior strain or has deteriorated in yielding ability,
as an average of 16.8 bushels per acre is unsatisfactory for Blackhull
kafir under these conditions.
SUNRISE KAFIR.
Sunrise, or Early Blackhull, kafir (C. I. No. 472) originated at
the Amarillo Cereal Field Station from a single head selected in the
autumn of 1906.° This kafir has been grown at the Woodward
Field Station since these experiments were begun in 1914. Because
of its adaptation to Woodward conditions Sunrise kafir has been
recommended by this station for the production of both grain and
forage in that part of the sorghum belt where conditions are similar
to those at Woodward, Okla., or where a medium early maturing
kafir taller than the dwarf (Dawn) kafir is desired. Sunrise kafir
has proved so satisfactory at this station that it has been used to
represent the kafir group in the cultural experiments and has been
distributed to farmers. A plat of this kafir is shown in Plate III,
Figure 1.
Sunrise kafir has been uniformly taller than any other selection
of kafir grown in these experiments with the exception of a tall
selection of an African kafir (C. 1. No. 566). In earliness of maturing
it has ranked second to White kafir (C. I. No. 370) and in some
seasons has matured in as short a period as the White kafir. As
grown at the Woodward station, Sunrise has shown better exsertion
of head from the boot than any other kafir. The seed averages
shghtly smaller than that of ordinary Blackhull kafir. The com-
se experimental data recorded for Sunrise kafir are given in
Table 9.
The row space per plant has varied from 13.1 inches in 1914 to
8.9 inches in 1916, the average for the eight years being one plant
to each 11 inches of row space. Stalk space has varied from 10.4
inches in 1914 to 3.9 inches in 1917, the 8-year average being 7
inches. Sunrise kafir produces suckers freely, and its tendency in
this regard is greater than that of any other kafir grown in these
5 Ball, C. R., and Rothgeb, B. E. Grain-sorghum experiments in the Panhandle of Texas. U. S.
Dept. Agr. Bul. 698, p. 58. 1918.
+ se
ioe ee eee aL ete. tet an sent
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA. 27
experiments. In two of the eight years, 1917 and 1919, Sunrise
kafir produced more than one sucker per plant. The average for
the eight years was 68 suckers per 100 plants.
The number of days in the vegetative period has varied from 66
days in 1915 to 108 days in 1917, the 8-year average being 79 days.
The ripening period varied from 34 days in 1918 and 1921 to 45
days in 1915, the average for the eight years being 39 days. A long
ripening period is caused by plenty of moisture after heading. The
total growing period required to mature Sunrise kafir varied from
103 days in 1921 to 150 days in 1917, the 8-year average being —
118 days.
The relation between percentage of stalks headed and grain yield
in Sunrise kafir does not show the same correlation as in the milos.
This indicates that while kafir usually produces a good percentage
of headed stalks the yield of grain is dependent on the filling of the
heads rather than on their number.
The height of the plants has varied from 4.5 feet in 1914 to 7.3
feet in 1915, the 8-year average being 6 feet. The height of Sunrise
kafir makes it unsuitable to head by hand in the field, but it is well
adapted to harvesting with a corn binder.
The grain yields for the eight years show but two kinds of years,
good years when a yield of more than 30 bushels per acre was
obtained and poor years when the yield was 10 bushels or less. On
this basis there have been five good seasons and three poor seasons
for Sunrise kafir during the 8-year period. The 8-year average
yield of grain per acre was 26.3 bushels, which is higher than the
average yield of any other variety of grain sorghum that has been
erown during the entire 8-year period. The average total crop
yield per acre indicates that Sunrise kafir also is a good variety for
forage or silage production.
DAWN KAFIR.
Dawn, or Dwarf, kafir (C. I. No. 340) originated in 1906 from
the same head selection as Sunrise. The chief differences be- .
tween Dawn and Sunrise kafirs are that Sunrise is taller, the heads
usually are better exserted, and the stalks also are juicier and sweeter.
Dawn kafir has been grown alongside of Sunrise at Woodward since
1914. The experimental data for both varieties are shown in Table
9 to give an opportunity for easy comparison.
A study of Table 9 shows that the variation in space per plant
has not been so great for Dawn as for Sunrise kafir, the variation
in plant space of Dawn ranging from 12.2 inches to 9.1 inches, with
an 8-year average of 10.9 inches, practically the same as for Sun-
rise. The row space per stalk has been slightly greater for Dawn
than for Sunrise, the average for the eight years having been 7.2
inches. From a comparison of the row space of plants and stalks
for these two varieties, it is readily seen that Sunrise has a tendency
to produce more suckers than Dawn. In the 8-year period Dawn
_kafir produced 59 suckers per 100 plants.
In length of the vegetative, fruiting, and total growing periods
Dawn and Sunrise kafirs have been practically identical. In only
one year, 1916, was there any discernibie difference between the
two varieties, Dawn kafir then requiring two days more to mature
than Sunrise.
28 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The height of Dawn kafir has varied from 3.3 feet in 1914 to 5.2 —
feet in 1915, the average height for the eight years being 4.1 feet.
The average height of Dawn kafir compared to the average height
of Sunrise kafir gives a ratio of 1 to 1.44.
With the exception of 1914, Dawn kafir has been exceeded in ©
both total crop and grain yield by Sunrise kafir. For the eight
years, Dawn kafir has averaged 23.8 bushels per acre, or 2.5 bushels —
less grain and about 1,000 pounds per acre less total crop than |
_Sunrise. Dawn kafir is well adapted to Woodward conditions as a —
grain crop to be grown for hand heading in the field, leaving the
stalks in the field to hold the soil and prevent its blowing.
WHITE KAFIR.
White kafir is distinguished from Blackhull kafir in haying glumes
white or pale instead of black. Two strains of White kafir have been
included in these experiments for the full 8-year period. C. I. No. 370
was received from the Amarillo Cereal Field Station, where it had
been grown for a number of years, while C. I. No. 566, recorded as
White African kafir, was received from D. P. Marum, of Woodward,
Okla., who obtained it by direct importation from Africa. This
latter lot was grown as a single strain in 1914 and 1915, but in 1915
it was observed that there were two distinct types of plants in the
plat, tall and dwarf. Head selections were made from plants of each
type and sown in separate plats in 1916. The tall and dwarf types
came true, and the two types have since been grown in separate
plats. The dwarf type is earlier than the tall, but has poor exsertion
and does not yield as much grain as the tall selection. Plats of these
two selections are shown in Plate III, Figure 2. The agronomic
data obtained from the White kafirs are shown in Table 9.
The row space per plant for C. I. No. 370 has varied from 14.3
inches in 1920 to 8.4 inches in 1916, with an average of 11.3 inches for
the eight years. The stalk space has averaged 9.7 inches for the
eight years. Compared with the Blackhull, Sunrise, and Dawn
kafirs, this selection of White kafir does not sucker extensively, the
average for the 8-year period showing 21 suckers for each 100 plants.
Considering an average of the two types of C. I. No. 566, the row space
per plant was 18.7 inches in 1914 and 8.8 inches in 1916, the 8-year
average being 12.4 inches of row space for each plant. The stalk
space for the eight years has averaged 9.7 inches, the same as for
C. I. No. 370. Suckering has been slightly greater for C. I. No. 566
than for the other White kafir, the average number of suckers being
29 per 100 plants.
The White kafir (C. I. No. 370) matures earlier than any of the
other kafirs in the varietal experiment. The vegetative period has
varied from 58 days in 1916 to 104 days in 1917, with an 8-year
average of 76 days. The fruiting period has varied from 30 to 46
days in 1918 and 1917, respectively, with an average of 37 days.
The average number of days in the total growing period is 113, or
5 days less than for Sunrise kafir. C. I. No. 566 is not as early as
C. I. No. 370, the average total growing period for the two types
of C. 1. No. 566 being 124 days, or 11 days more than for C. I. No. 370.
In height of plants the White kafir (C. I. No. 370) has averaged the
same as Dawn kafir. In the six years that the tall and dwarf types
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 29
of White African kafir (C. I. No. 566) have been grown separately |
:
there has been greater difference in height between them than
between the Sunrise and Dawn kafirs. The ratio between the
average heights of the dwarf and tall types of White kafir (C. I. No.
566) for six years is 1 to 1.73, while that between Dawn and Sunrise
kafir for the same period is 1 to 1.47. The average height of the
_ dwarf type was 3.7 feet, while the tall type averaged 6.4 feet for the
six years. | .
In yield of grain, White kafir (C. I. No. 370) has been low. In
1916, however, its earliness enabled it to outyield Sunrise and Dawn
kafirs by a narrow margin. For the 8-year period it has averaged
17.5 bushels per acre. The total crop weight has also been low.
C. L.-No. 566 has averaged practically 20 bushels of grain per acre for
the eight years. The tall selection has shown some promise as a
grain producer during the last few years. It is possible that further
selection may result in a high-yielding kafir, though its height and
relative lateness are against it.
RED KAFIR.
Red kafir can be readily distinguished from other members of the
kafir group by the color of the seed, which is brownish red, and by
its head being longer and more slender than those of other kafirs.
The color of glumes of the Red kafir now grown in the varietal plat
is very dark red. Red kafir is grown quite extensively in some com-
munities of Oklahoma, where it is preferred to other varieties.
Two selections of Red kafir were included in these experiments.
during the first three years. As there was no apparent difference
between the two selections, one was then discarded, while the other
has been carried in the varietal plats for the full eight years. The
experimental data for Red kafir are given in Table 9.
The stands obtained with Red kafir have been comparable with
those of other kafirs. Red kafir has been less inclined to sucker than
any other kafir grown at this station, the average number of suckers
produced in the eight years having been 19 for every 100 plants.
In length of total growing period, Red kafir is comparable with the
late-maturing Blackhull kafir (C. I. No. 71). During the last 5
years of these experiments, Red kafir has matured on the average
i 128 days, while the Blackhull has required 130 days. In the full
8-year period Red kafir has averaged 7 days later in maturing than
Sunrise kafir.
In height Red kafir has varied from 3.3 feet in 1916 to 5.8 feet in
1915, the average height being 4.5 feet. During the last five years it
has averaged about 2 inches taller than Blackhull kafir (C. I. No. 71).
Red kafir has made an average yield of 20.8 bushels of grain and
patel 5,000 pounds of total crop per acre in the 8-year period.
his is 3 bushels per acre less grain and 500 pounds less total crop
than Dawn kafir.
FINK KAFIR.
Pink kafir (C. I. No. 432), which is grown extensively in the
vicinity of Hays, Kans., has been included in these experiments for
but one year, hence no comparisons of any value can be made at this
time. The data for the one crop which has been grown are given
in Table 9. The indications from the data for that year are that
30 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
this variety is early in maturing and that the yield of grain is high.
Pink kafir has a white glume mixed with red, while the seed is white
with red spots of varying size.
COMPARATIVE YIELDS OF THE KAFIR GROUP.
The annual and average acre yields of the selections of the kafir —
group grown in these experiments are given in Table 10. Six vari-
eties of kafir have been grown for the full 8-year period, one strain
each of Blackhull, Sunrise, Dawn, and Red, and two of White kafir.
For the 8-year period, Sunrise kafir leads in grain yield with an
average of 26.3 bushels per acre, Dawn ranks second with 23.8 bushels
per acre, and Red kafir is third with an average yield of 20.8 bushels.
Of the varieties and selections not grown for the entire 8-year
period, several show high yielding power. Blackhull kafir (C. I. No.
71) in the five years it has been grown has yielded slightly less than
Dawn during the same period and has averaged 3 bushels per acre
more than Red kafir. Reed kafir (C. I. No. 628) has been grown for
but two years, during which it has averaged more grain than any
other kafir in the experiments. The tall type of White African kafir
(C. I. No. 566) has made a very good showing during the years since
it was separated from the dwarf type.
The yields obtained show that Sunrise and Dawn kafirs are well
adapted for grain production under conditions at the Woodward
Field Station.
TABLE 10.— Yields of the varieties and races of the kafir group of grain sorghums grown
at the Woodward Field Station during the 8-year period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive.
Yields per acre (60-pound bushels).
| | Average.
Variety and C.I.
No. | | |
1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 |. years, roe) 5 years, 8 years,
| 1914 to; ang | 1917 to; 1914 to
| | 1916. | 1921. | 1921. | 1921.
|
— —- — eee, et ee
Blackhull: |
INO. beset oe Ee |e ee [eee (29531) R20 2957 WeSor Ue ESkeG eee tee 36.9 27,)0-\22 Soe
INO.204 522 8.8 t 22: Gre 2222.3) 8.1. | ob | ied: tore 11.3; 24.4 20.0 16.8
INOn 207 tes. ee Ame WMO gc Wa eee) et oe 5 hare Pe (Pees ug Oy ee ee |p ace wie hee eee
ING O28 o2 eile cc te | Sos elle ae Possess even | eee 30, alta. Osleere- see BY Pim phere ev eeees
Dawn: | | | | | |
Nossa! 5.224 | 11.8 | 38.7-| 3/6 | 33.6 | 7.7 |-30:4 | 32.5 | 31.9 18.0 32.2} 27.2 23. 8
Sunrise: | |
NOvAT2 220.202 | 10.3 | 39.0 | 6.2 | 36.9 | 9.6 | 37.7 | 35.4 | 35.2 18.5 30.3 31.0 26.3
White | | |
INONo10s2- 2-55 8.3 | 25.1 } 8.0 | 26.67) 5.8 |'2054.) 19.5 |.26.1 13.8 22.8 19.7 | 17.5
No. 566average | 6.0 | 31.2 | 2.2 | 25.8 | 6.2 | 24.0 | 27.1 | 36.6 13.1 31.9 23.9 | 19.9
No. 566d wart: -):.....[243)5225 2401). TED AS: Oe) DU Taco emer 200), lad Se eee
INOFSOO Gall. so 2102-6 eee nal eae Sa 27.6 | <4. 5 | 229: 1) 32.5 | BOS eat ae sis 36y 1" |) *26.7a\esseeee
Red: |
INOns4ee soe 8.4 | 34.7 | 2.9 | 30.0) 7.3 | 21.6 | 26.3 | 34.9 15.3 30.6 24.0 20.8
ING. 212 hee 9.85) 349M 220s alee ce Se eee es teens 15.6.2 2.226s5| SS See
THE KAOLIANG GROUP.
The kaoliangs are grain-producing varieties of sorghum from
eastern Asia. The group has been fully described by Dr. C. R. Ball.¢-
Plate IV, Figure 1, shows heads of three varieties of kaoliang, together
6 Ball,C. R. The kaoliangs: A new group of grain sorghums. U.S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Bul.
253, 64 p.,.15 fig.; 2 pl. 1913:
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 31
with other varieties of sorghum. The varieties of kaoliang grown at
the Woodward Field Station were selected as those showing most
promise at the Amarillo Cereal Field Station. Seven varieties and
strains were grown in the first year of these experiments, one white
(Mukden), one blackhull white, and five brown (two of Manchu and
one each of Parker, Valley, and Shantung Dwarf). After the first
year one of the brown kaoliangs (Parker) was discarded, and at the
end of three years the white (Mukden) and two of the brown strains
(Shantung Dwarf and Manchu, C. I. No. 328) were dropped. One
blackhull and two brown kaoliangs have been grown during the full
8-year period. The data for the varieties of kaoliang grown during
the eight years are presented in Table 11.
The Blackhull kaoliang grown at the Woodward Field Station at
present differs in a number of characters from the original Barchet
Blackhull. This change in varietal character was caused by field
hybridization, possibly with feterita. In 1915 the heads of this strain
that had been saved for seed were all used in the first seeding. As re-
seeding was necessary, a supply of bulk seed was obtained from the
Amarillo Cereal Field Station. - The plat produced from this seed
varied greatly in color and type. A number of white-seeded heads
were selected from this plat for use the following season, but the plat
produced from them had a high percentage of brown-seeded plants.
- White-seeded heads were again selected for seed in the fall of 1916.
- In 1917 the plat consisted of 10 head rows. The plants were uni-
formly white seeded, but each row was of a different type. Since
1917 the types have bred true, and in 1919 and 1920 a small-seeded,
compact-headed type was found to be the best yielder. Though the
other types have been grown in single rows, the progeny of row 1 in
1917 is the type now included in these experiments as Blackhull
kaohiang.
Table 11 shows that the row space for the plants of kaoliang has
been less than that for other groups. The stands from year to year,
however, have not been uniform. The desired space between kao-
hang plants under Woodward conditions is about 5 inches. The row
space per plant for Blackhull has varied from 4.8 to 11.8 inches, with
an average of 7.5 inches. Manchu (C. I. No. 171) and Valley (C. I.
No. 309) kaoliangs have averaged 6.4 and 5.9 inches of row space per
plant, respectively. It is to be noted that the kaoliangs are less
inclined to produce suckers than any of the other grain sorghums.
Blackhull, chi has produced as many suckers as any of the varieties
of kaoliang, due largely to thin stands in several years, produced an
average of only 14 suckers for every 100 plants.
The kaoliangs are early in maturing, especially the brown varie-
ties. Manchu (C. £. No. 171) has matured grain on the average in
101 days during the 8 years of these experiments. Valley (C. I. No.
309) has required an average of 4 days longer in which to mature.
Blackhull has matured on the average in 111 days, which is longer
by 7 days than the total growing period of feterita.
In height the three kaoliangs grown for the full 8-year period have
averaged from 5.3 to 5.7 feet. One of the kaoliangs, Shantung
Dwarf (C. I. No. 293), which was grown for but three years, is very
dwarf, averaging only 3.1 feet in height. This selection is at present
grown in single rows, in order to have it available for breeding work
as a source of dwarf stature.
32
BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
TaBLeE 11.—Agronomic data for the kaoliangs grown at the Woodward Field Station during
' the 8-year period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive.
[In the statement of yields of grain the bushel is rated at 58 pounds.]
| Row space. -| Length of period. | Yi i
eit ect ae’ P Be Stalks Stalks|Height Grain Menges ee
Tae al 2 2 per head- of. |, im .
: | | Vege- | Fruit- plant.| ed. (plants. crop.-| Total. | :
Plant. Stalk. tative.| ing Total. | crop. | Grain.
Mukden (C. I. | |
No. 190): The In. | Days. | Days. | Days. | Psct. |" Beet. |. P.cia| Gos. | Lbs: |pBusie
1S: eer ee oe Dail 5.95 65 26 91 1.03 | 93.0 5.8 | 29.0 |} 2,225 | 653 1133
191 os. Ae. 7.4 5.7 64 43 LOG" 12308! 29201 8.0 | 26.8 | 6,390 | 1,710 29.4
19LGS 2 See 6:7.) S656 65 43 108 102 oe Sie 7.0 | 25.0 | 2,520} 630 10.8
Average... 6.6| 59] 65| 37] 102] 1.12/ 88.7] 6.9} 26.9/3,712| 998] 417.2
Blackhull: | ey
0A A eer 5.3 eal 68 28 96} 1.03} 94.1 4.8 | 35.8 | 2,025 725 1205
POL ee ol 56 | - 5.0 68 38 106 1.10} 94.1 6.7 | 31.8 | 5,805 | 1,845 31.8
TOTG S222 6.4 6.3 64 44 108 1.11 85.9 SO eZ ia h ds L9oe SSE 15.3
TOM 3 ee 4.8 4.0 108 34 142 1.19. \9 87.6 5.3 | 22.1 | 4,815; 1,062 18.3
TOL Serer 5.0 4.5 68 19 87 LL 79. 2 5.0 | 24.0 | 2,600 625 10.8
19192 a5. Bs 11.2 9.2 77 36 113 1.22 | 94.6 4.6 | 30.7 | 3,870 | 1,188 20. 4
AGO) SS eee O87 2269 72 46 118 1.23 93. 7 4.9)|_ 27.7 | 4,106.0 5136 19. 6
je RES = it: SH ON3 79 38° { 9117 32.16) 945 ly 5.84.85, 6) 337 A 200 eee
Average..| 7.5] 65) 76] 35| 1} 114] 90.5] 5.3| 29.4] 3,724 | 1,084] 18.7
Manchu (C. I.
No. 171) ; | |
LOU ae gate area 8.6 8.5 63 26 891) LO 93:9 5; 0) | 61.5) 1, 1345). 698: 12.0
LOWS Se 6.5 5.7 58 | 42 100 1.15 | 91.0 6.0 | 33.8 | 5,220 | 1, 764 30. 4
LOTG: Sses. 6.0 5. 8 | 58 | 3l 89} 1.03 | 88.0 558). S616 JE2 Sl eee 13.3
KO by pee eee ae ALS ile 22,2 75 105 34 1B 9 eae see 5.0 6.4 |. 2,610 | 167 2.9
TOI8 5.222 aae 4.9 4.9 60 | 26 86.; 1.00} 82.4 4.5 | 29.3 | 1,980 | 581 10.0
1OTGR. Sse = 6.5 6.3 71 29 100 1. 04 84.7 5.8 |. 31.4 | 2)925 918 15.8
1920 eee 9.2 8.6 70 | 42 | de Oa BY: 7 5.6°| 26.2 | 2,893 759 13.1
LODZ Ged be Prar6o ey 70 27 97|- .99| 93.3] 6.0| 22.9] 2,363 | 540 9.3
Average..| 6.4 |....... 69 FB (Shae Se ae 5.5 | 31.0] 2,655| 775| 13.4
Valley (C. I. | |
No. 309): |
UO eee, ene eH) 4.8 | 66 30 96} 1.04) 92.8 AiO -S0. as 809 545 9.4
HOUSE See jaee) 4.8 | 64 39 103} 1.22} 82.9 7.0 | 36.1 | 5,535 | 1,998 34.5
TOG? 3235 ligaeme. 5.5 | 63 | 37 100 1. 04 83.7 6.0 | 36.1 | 25655 ) - 958 16.5
LON ee | 2 Bi ee ae | 108 | 34 Aa Seen ears = aes ote 5.5 8.1 | 2,480 198 3.4
TOLLS ey: | 4.4 4.2 60 | 20 87 | 1.04) 80.0 5.0 | 29.7 | 1,950 580 10.0
LOLS ee ee | 8.5 8.0 jit 29 100 107 86. 1 5.5 32.8] 2,813 | 923 15.9
1920 25 322.4 | 7.8 6.9 70 +4 14, | ll sl4cie9255 5.7 | 37.1 | 4,050 | 1, 504 25.9
1921. he. BAe Mey. 71 | 27 98} 1.03, 94.4 6.0; 29.0 | 2,250 653 11.2
Average..| 5.9 |..-.... 72}| 37 S8 4) SaOb eo) 5.7 | 29.9|2,937| 920] - 15.9
Manchu (C. I. | Spool
No. 328): ;
1914 oe Del 5.0 51 7A fall TS) AO29 S977 4,5} 20.3 | 1,593 324 5.6
TOT ree 6.1 6.0 53 38) | 86 L..02 | 9157 6.2 | 37.8 | 3,330 | 1, 260 PALS,
TOLG eee 2 5.6 5.5 ol 31 | 82 1.00 | 85.5 5.5 25.4 | 1, 850 470 8.1
Average... 5.6| 5.5| 52|- 30| 82| 101] 916] 5.4| 27.8|2,958| 685} 118
| Bs | ares
Shantung |
Dwarf (C. I. |
No. 293): 2 | |
NOW As eee 5.3 5.2 68 | ae 92, |. 1.02 88. 2 Zane 20n te Le | 315 5.4
WONG sess 7.4 G:F] 64 | 36 |. 100°} 1.10) 94.8 3.8 | 42.2) 3,690 | 1,557 26.8
LONG nie eS. 6.4 6.4 61 29 | 90 . 99 70.1 2.7 | 34.1 | 1,450 495 8.5
Average. . 6.4 651i 64 30 | 94 1. 04 84.4 Sal | 34.3 | 2,106 789 13.6
Parker (C. I. | ; | |
No. 424): | | | :
1914S. feces 4.0 3.9 63 | 26 89 | 1.03] 94.6 4.3 | 25.2) 1,818 | 459 7.9
The grain yields of the kaoliangs have been low when compared
with the other groups. Of the three varieties grown during the 8-year
period, the Blackhull kaoliang has averaged highest, 18.7 bushels per
acre. It is noteworthy that this is the only grain sorghum that has
never fallen below 10 bushels per acre in any year, although its yield
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 33
has never been very high. Valley kaoliang has averaged 15.9 bushels
per acre, while the Manchu averaged but 13.4 bushels. The total
crop 1 vields have been in proportion to the grain yields.
The annual and average acre yields of the kaoliangs are shown mm
Table 12, together with those of shallu and certain miscellaneous
sorghums.
TaBie 12.— Yields of the varieties and races of the kaoliang and shallu groups, and other
miscellaneous grain sorghums grown at the Woodward Field Station during the 8-year
period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive.
_—
Yields per acre (58-pound bushels).
| ]
Variety and C.I. | Average.
No. 2 |
1914 | 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 3 years, aa ia 5 years,| 8 years,
1914 to te | 1917 to! 1914 to
1916. 1921. 1921. 1921.
— Degen
ootce a ees emer ton erie Se re i ae foes ee ee
Blackball eerans |
No number. .-..| 12.5 | 31.8 | 15.3 | 18.3} 10:8 | 20.4 | 19.6 | 20:7} 19:9 17.9 18.0 18.7
Brown kaoliang: |
to. LPR 222: -- 12.0: | 30.4) 13.3 Poy JASON tds S-\-lat 9.3 18.6 12°14 10. 2 13.4
ING TO28 oo atone 2 S56 | 2h 7 Ls es | Se ee ee TS ih. a2 Senit = actos |e ae
33 or. Daag OLE Sta AOTO Pena sala eaten oa faetce Sasnes See Sao | ae ae ee a eee
IN@ SOO. 5 =. =. 9.4 | 34.5 |) 16.5 3o4e 2050) | 15.9. | 25.9: 112 20.1 15.8 13.3 15.9
WO 424 22. 7 | Pea | a Os Rl ee es | ee [ee ce oh ees one oe ee eee
Shallu
ca oH een a | G: 1S Zae2 4.4 | 22.8 | 319.4 |: VSS2 | Qe Lhe? 16.7 17.9 15.4
Spe |
TMD = ae See Bee eee Zonk Dati eek HED Sr |e sds | seers 20. 0 Zieh ape
Schrock LO esl |
Me-G1GS. 3c 2 ieee t * Papas hese 29, 3° P 256 | 206524: 28:90) 248.) 50 238. LOR 2 21 ISA eee
Dwarf hegari: |
kk See | ao She pe Rose [2 DeeAUe N99: Gal tea | rie EA eapeeanes |S oty aie
| |
THE SHALLU GROUP.
One selection of shallu has been included in these experiments for
the full 8-year period. Shallu has been retained in the varietal
experiments, as it 1s frequently exploited’ under a variety of names,
and reliable data are desirable. It has proved to be of little value
under the conditions at the Woodward Field Station. The data for
shallu are presented in Table 13, and a head of this sorghum is shown
in Plate IV, Figure 1.
In grain yields shallu has varied from 0.3 bushel in 1918 to 28.7
bushels in 1921, with an average yield of 15.4 bushels to the acre, as
compared with 26.3 bushels for Sunrise kafir and 21.8 bushels for
Dwarf Yellow milo. The stalks are dry and pithy and practically
valueless as forage.
MISCELLANEOUS SORGHUMS.
Three sorghums which do not belong to any of the main groups
of grain sorghums were included in the experiments. These are
darso ® (C. I. No. 615), Schrock sorghum ® (C. I. No. 616), and
Dwarf hegari * (C. I. No. 620). Darso and Schrock sorghums, both of
7 Ball, C. R. Three much-misrepresented scrghums. U.S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Cire. 50,
ei ee , 2 fig. 1910.
othgeb, B. E. Shallu, or ‘‘Egyptian wheat”: a ete -maturing variety cf scrghum. U. 8S. Dept.
Agr., Farmers’ Bul. 827, Sp., 2 fig. 1917. Rev.ed.,
® Beeson, M. at , and Daane, Adrian. Darso. Okla ers Exp. Sta. Bul..127, 19 p., 6 fig. 1919.
i Vinall, H. N , and Edwards, R.W. New sorghum varieties fcr the central and southern Great Plains.
“J. Dept. Agr. Bul. 383, p. 16, 7 fig. 1916.
4£01°—23—Bull. 1175——5
34 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
which originated in Oklahoma, probably resulted from chante
hybridization between a sorgo and one of the kafirs. Dwarf hegari
was obtained as an importation from the Sudan region of Africa,
evidently from the same region from which feterita was obtained.
Darso and Schrock appear to resemble the kafir group more than any
other group of grain sorghums. However, darso has awned lemmas
and its seed color is a dull reddish brown, different from any of the
kafirs. Schrock sorghum, sometimes called Schrock kafir, is awnless,
but its seed color is a yellowish brown, and the seeds have a very
astringent flavor, thus differing from the kafirs. Dwarf hegari
resembles feterita in the color of seed, but the seeds are much smaller
than those of the milo-durra group. Since these three varieties
differ in certain characters from the groups which they resemble
most closely, they are considered separately. The experimental
data obtained for these three sorghums are presented in Table 13,
and typical heads are shown in Plate IV, Figure 1.
TaBLE 13.—Agronomic data for miscellaneous grain sorghums grown at the Woodward
Field Station during the 8-year period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive.
[In the statement of yields of grain per acre the bushel is rated at 58 pounds.]
Row space. Length of period. | ' Yields per acre.
Variety and | as SS a ake Gree | :
, : Vege- | Fruit-| plant.| ed. (plants. crep. Total. Ss
ae Stalk. tative. ing. | Total. _ crop. Grain.
Shallu (C. I
No. 85): In. | In. | Days. | Days. | Days. P.ct. | Feet. | P.ct. | Lbs..| Lbs. | Bus.
191452 = 5:4) 4.41 95 18 LS | aol |os sees ee ae Tt | ate 351 6.1
cS SS Oe | Seo =. 5 ee CO See tee Oc sae Fl es ere eee ess 7A ee 6,345 1, 350 25.2
1916%..- 23% | 6.7 Bind 91 43 134 1. 26 5133 5.0 7.2 | 3,555 257 | 4.4
aes i a mene x igs Oe Mg ys Py SiS ae en 6.5; 21.5 | 6, 1651 1,323 |~ 22-8
TST ae 6.5 3.4 93 41 | 134 1.93 97}. -4.0 st |) 2, 800 20 aS
LONG 22 2 7A CAL 12.9 104 | °128'|' 1264 90.7 | 5.5 32.5 | 3,465 | 1,125 19.4
AGIA SS soe 9.8 5 102 52, 154) 1.30] 85.6); 6.3 | 27.7 | 3,825 | 1,058 18.2.
iCt 74 OEY sa aalegee ole een yes 86 | 35 tPA Ape Dts z05..8 6.4 | 36.5 | 4,556 | 1,665 | 28.7
Averages 4. ..£23|-.Laie) © 96 [viet Ake ere? Ricae RES 19.4 4,415 | 804) 15.4
Darso (C. I. No. | | | fe | | |
615): ;
tI) Ue fap 6.8 4.8 97 Rye cost S|) ols Abeibetee, or 4.5 | 25.4) 5,950 | 1, 490 gb
191828...0 23 7.0 | 4 "634 79 30} 109| 1.09] 54.4 3.3 | 16.3 |°1; 845 302 497)
IQ1LQ! A! 6.3.) 6.1 88 37t| E25) 1.03) Ba 24e S27 a 33) Ol Aes Panes Jest
1920 (e3} 6.7 98 54 T5277 EAMG: |= 7626 4.5 | 28.8 5,006 | 1,440 24.8
192 ee 6.6] 6.7 83 38 121 | 98 | 95.8 4.1 33.0 3,994 | 1,316 22,7
Average..| 6.8.| 6.1 89 43) 18} PIF pak. | 4.0} 27.3 | 4,313 | 1,225 |! 21.1
Schrock sor- f |
ghum (C. I. | | |
No. 616) | |
IGETG 3 35: 9.1 4.6 110 140 | 150-| 1.97] 90.2}: 4.54 23.0 | 7,400 | 1,700 29.3
TOUR. Bee ke | 6.6. my | 78 56 134 1.16 30. 3 2.8 5.4.|2, 745.) 149 2.6
LO 1G Be ges. 2 O46 "4 Ou 91 37 128 1.05 87.5 | 3.5 Bled | Ae S205) Loge. 20. 2
AOD eos 3: 6.9 6.2 105 49°) >. 1545} 412 Jo 81.7: 4.2 | 28,1) 5,963 | 1,676 28.9
1930s. 6.8 6.9 83 38 121 98 94.3 | 4.0 30.5 4,725 1,440 24.8
| ————S- |
Averape._| 123-165 93 Ag STO ele 2b ale xO: © SH als tt 59 a a Let f 212
Dwarf hegari . Fibs gs sae esate ne or SS oe pa Cee has
(C.1I. No. 620): | |
IBIS Es 21.0 6.3 86 48 134 | 3.37 | 22.7) | 3.3 2.4 | 5,300, 125 2.2
FOLD: 3 fee Oras" "725 88 40 128" 1. 24-85. 57 | 8.87) S21 25 oe bos bean 24.7
19202 ote LO S's Sae 88 29 117 | 1.25 .)-95.3 | 3.6] 23.4 -} 5,625.) 1,316 22.7
1994 .c--e 12.8 |. 11.3 75 45 120 1.14 79.8 4.2 30.0 |. 2,138 | 641 Ett
|
Average..| 13.4 | 83]. 84} 41) 125) 1.75] 70.8 | 3.7| 20.8 |.4,582 |. 878) 15.2
1Schrock sorghum (C. I. No. 616) was 60 per cent ripe at the first frost on Oct. 12.
a)
|
4
|
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA. 35
*The stands of both darso and Schrock sorghum have been uniform
from year to year. Darso has averaged one plant every 6.8 inches
of row space and Schrock one plant each 7.8 inches for the five years
they have been included in these experiments. Neither of these two
varieties is inclined to produce many suckers when grown with a row
space of about 7 mches between plants. Darso has produced an
average of 12.1 suckers for every 100 plants, while Schrock has
averaged 25.4 suckers per_100 plants. This difference in suckering
may be attributed to difference in stands between the two varieties.
Poor stands of Dwarf hegari have been obtained in three of the four
years, the row space per plant averaging 13.4 inches. With such
thin stands many suckers have been produced, the variety averaging
75 suckers for each 100 plants. © . . ro os
From the data obtained none of the three varieties seem to be any
earlier in maturing than the late selection of Blackhull kafir (C. I.
No. 71). All three of these sorghums-are rather dwarf.
The grain yields, which are for but five and four years, do not
show any superiority when compared with the better varieties of
kafir, and in 1918 all of these newer varieties made poor yields in
common with most of the sorghums. One difficulty experienced
with Dwarf hegari in 1921 was that it broke up, producing about 50
per cent tall plants. These were very late in maturing and were
cut out or rogued before harvesting the plat. Whether this break-
ing up was due to chance crossing with other varieties or to an
inherent unstable condition can not be stated. However, the same
precautions were taken as with the other varieties to keep the seed
of Dwarf hegari pure, and this was the only variety that behaved in
this manner.
The annual and average yields of these three sorghums are shown
in Table 12, with the kaoliangs and shallu.
COMPARATIVE YIELDS OF THE GRAIN SORGHUMS.
The annual and average yields of the varieties and selections of
grain sorghum grown in the varietal experiments at the Woodward
Field Station during all of the eight years from 1914 to 1921, inclusive,
are shown in Table 14, together with those of other varieties which
have been added to the experiment since 1914 and are still included.
Averages for different periods of years are shown, in order to compare
varieties and selections not grown for the full 8-year period. Four
strains of milo, one of feterita, six of kafir, three of kaoliang, and
one of shallu have been grown in the varietal experiments for the
entire eight years.
_ Considering the average grain yields for eight years, Sunrise and
Dawn kafirs rank first and second, respectively. Standard Yellow
milo, the two dwarf milos, and feterita averaged practically the same,
ranking after Sunrise and Dawn kafirs. Red kafir averaged slightly
less, and the two brown kaoliangs and shallu made the lowest average
yields in the 8-year period.
,
36 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
TaBLE 14.—Annual and average acre yields of the varieties and selections of grain
sorghums grown at the Woodward Field Station, during the 8 years from 1914 to 1921,
inclusive.
[In the statement of yields of grain per acre the bushel is rated at 60 pounds for the kafirs and at 58 pounds
for all other sorghums.]
Yields per acre (bushels).
| Average.
Group and variety. cal . |
1914 , 1915 | 1916 | 1917 | 1918 | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | Byears, —_ 8 years,
| 1917 to and 1914 to
| 1921. 1921. 1921.
Milo-durra:
Standard Yellow |
malo SA oe 234 | 18.2 | 20.1 | 12.7 | 19.4 | 2.4 | 41.1 | 29.3} 38.8} 26.2 34.1 22.8
Standard White |f 352 I a4 NO lb 6 A a bd 0 8) palo 2 abs eye EN laos as yl ol 24.2 3¥-5 19. 7
miiloscc7 52 rises 480 |... hetuset Lis ca bere ie kes pete $3 31/328) 25. 10: pA ba ee, oe é
Dwarf Yellow |f 332| 9.9 | 37.4| 9.9 | 15.8) 2.8 | 25.8] 26.4 | 41.6 | 22.5 34.0 zisw
Hots asa aes 359 7.9 | 38:7) 6.9 | 18.0) 2.7 | 33.5 |- 26.0} 40:5 24.1 33.3 21.8
Dwarf White
WMNITIO®- 8 eSt ese A ak en UES na SO Irate debs | ep Ae yo Tal SY fate ial eae eae 3 87 Peo Sao
Fetertta.: 240323 182 | 9.9°| 25.1 | 7.6] 13.7) 6.4 | 39.3 | 29.3 | 41.3 26.0 35.3 21.6
Spur feterita..... Na 3 ae es tee eer Bases | 34.1 | 2822 | 40.3 |....2... 34.9" |e ee
pene 1 | 29:3| 2.1 7| 35.1 | 38.6| 27 36.9
(hI |e aes Peete EL Swe oe sd. | 29. F i 27.0 oO.) Soe aa
Blackhull ......-. { 204 | 8.8|22.6| 2.4] 22.3] 8.1 | 21.0}21.4] 27.4] 200} 24.41 168
Reed: aise pO 2S Abe eae el Sepa a paves. Ser eens | he cess é 37.19" | BOG Wiea-s S42 34.3:\5. eed
Dawn (dwarf)....| .340-| 1.8 | 38.7 | 3.6] 33.6 | 7.7 | 30.4 | 32.5 | 31.9 Dhue 32.2 23.8
Sitigisehss et 107 472 10.3 | 39.0 | 6.2 36.9) 9.6 | 37.7 | 35.4 | 35.2 31.0 35.3 26.3
While, =.= =a. 370.| 8.3.| 25.1 | 8.0.| 26.6} 5.8 | 20.4 | 19.5 | 26.1 19.7). .22.8 17.5
White (average)..| 566 6.0 | 31.2) 2.2/ 25.8! 6.2 | 24.0! 27.1 | 36.6| 23.9) 31.9 19.9
White (dwarf)....| 566 |...... "S0es eet oss 24.0 } 7.9 | 18.9 | 21.7 | 33.5 A Dit sz) VAG sas rh ses
White (tall).....- Ls o\ gl ee eee Ses eo | 2726.) 4.0, )-29.1 | 32.5 | 339..7 26.7 36.1 | 32 eee
pile GaSe 34 8.4 | 34.71 29 30.0) 7.3 | 21.6! 23.3] 34.9| 24.0) 306) 208
Bink = at ABO Fe Beer: ae (Ft Bee ri tae Pie ES lee 25 ao ol eens
Kaoliang:
Blackhull...-.... 310 | 12.5 | 31.8 | 15.3 | 18.3 | 10.8 | 20.4 | 19.6 | 20.7 18.0 20. 2 18.7
Manchu. L771. | 1220-|- 3054 3) 132342697 1050 121528") Tsk 9.3 10. 2 1 13.4
Malley 2st 309 9.4 | 34.5 | 16.5) 3:4; 10.0.) 15.9 } 25.9 } 11.2 13.3 | 18.6 15.9
Miscellaneous:
Shale: 2-2 85 | 6.1 | 23.2) 4.4 [22.8] .3:) 194) 182) 28.7) 7.9) ° 23.5 15.4
Darso: Ses GU [eo Peer ae (Bn 7 Ne 25s 7. | 5.2 | 27.1 | 24.8 | 22.7 21.1 O35 Sal eo see
Schroek-6255- 2.2 le CLG iae ales 2 al en 23.3 | 2.6 | 29.2! 28.9 | 24.8 2132 2059) > cee
Dwarf hegari....| 620 |...... emg Be ES Ris. ayaa 7 See rar i o. 16:9)
DATE-OF-SEEDING EXPERIMENTS.
In 1914 and 1917 the gram sorghums in the varietal experiments
were duplicated on different dates. The first seeding in 1914 was
made on May 11, while the second seeding was made on June 2, or
22 days later. In 1917 the main varietal plats were seeded May 15
and the duplicate plats on May 23, or 8 days later. The data previ-
ously presented are for the earlier seedings. The behavior of the
varieties when seeded at different times differs greatly, and certain
adaptations and limitations of varieties to climatic conditions are
emphasized. Data for both seedings in the varietal experiments in
1914 and 1917 are shown in Table 15 for direct comparisen.
In 1914 the growing periods of the milos did not vary greatly with
the date of seeding. The standard milos were very little taller from the
first seeding than from the second, but the earlier seeding of dwarf milo
grew approximately 1.5 feet taller than the later plats. Im yields of
grain the earlier plats were much above the later seeded duplicate
plats with one exception. Standard White milo (C. I. No. 352) made
a higher yield of grain from the later seeding than on the earlier plat,
due to the fact that the earlier plat was damaged by birds to a con-
siderable degree. ;
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, ot
TaBLe 15.—Data obtained in the varietal experiments with grain sorghums at the Wood-
ward Field Station by sowing on two dates in 1914 and 1917.
[Data in columns numbered 1 ace for the first seeding, those in cclumns numbered 2 for the second seed-
ing. The first seeding in 1914 was made on May 11 and the second seeding on June 2. In 1917 the first
seeding was made on May 15 and the second on May 23.]
Growing period (days). | Yields per acre.
| Height
C: ik > Z (feet) =
Group and variety. | No. | Vegeta-| Fruit- Total : Total crop Grain
tive. ane, 5. | : (pounds). (bushels).
] { { f
| Sa ky a ae pa da Me Lele e- 1 2 1 Sed eta” 1 | 2
i | |
eae | | |
1914. | | |
Milo:
Standard Yellow....-.-. 77 | 72°| 74 | 30 | 28} 102} 102 | 4.75 | 4.50 | 6,100 | 5,018 | 13.6 | 8.t
it. 222 ipel ete pant 28-| 1025) ~102:|-4.'75s) 4. 25 | 5,328.|°4 545 | 1625) |= 4s
Leo ee 234. | 72 | 74 | 30 | 28 102 102 | 4.75°|-4.25 | 2,790. | 4,208 | 128.2 | 2.7
Dwarf Yellow .--....-- 149 | 72 | 74 |.31 | 28 | 103 102 | 3.75 | 2.25 | 3,753 | 3,510 | 13.7 | 3.1
ee see 332 | 72 | 74 |-31 | 28} 103 | 102 | 3.75 | 2.00 | 3,6€0 | 3,668 | 9.9 2.3
7 ol ee 359 | 72 | 74 | 31 | 28} 103 102 | 3.75 | 2.25 | 2,565 | 3,668 | 7.9'| 2.7
Standard Whiie......- 302 | 75 | 74 | 30 | 28 | 105 102 | &.00 } 4.5 4,428 | 4,680 | 8.3 10.9
LLG ie: a as 81 | G1 | 60) 30) 26) 91) 86 | 4.75 | 4.75) 1,827 | 2,£20| 9.5) 16.7
122 cl ee A | 182 | 63 | 62} 39) 29) 102) 91 | 4.75 | 4.25 | 1,251 | 3,015 | 9.9 10.1
Kacliang =
Munderness.. =o 4. 22). 190 | 65 | 65 | 26 | 19 91 S4:)°5;.75>) 5.50.) 2,225.) 3,128 12.9.)— tes
euekdinribes 22 <2 - | ee | 68 | 67 | 28 | 25 96 92 | 4.75 | 4.50 | 2,025 | 2,543 | 12.5 1143
17 TUE OT Llp a Sea 171 | 63 | 62.) 26 | 21 89 83 | 5.00 | 5.00,| 1,134 | 2,025 | 12.0] 9.3
is 0 oe eee S25 jaae ion! 27 | 28 78 | 81 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 1,693 | 1,643 | 5.6 4.7
Shantung Dwarf......- 293 | 68 | 69 | 24 | 24 92 93 | 2.75 | 2.20 | 1,179 | 1,665 2.4, 27a0
Metiey so Sere 22s. SDS. 309 | 66 | 62 |30/]30|/ 96] 92 | 4.75} 5.00 | 1,809 | 2,298} 9.4] 14.7
PERCE ene eS 2 424-| 63 | 60.| 26 | 26 &9 86 | 4.25 | 4.20 | 1,818 | 2,183 | 7.9] 10.5
Sis [he ee Sb eso ssf je18 | 18) | 113 |) 102°} =. 5-5 [eee 4,572 | 3,758 | 6.1 4.3
1917.
Milo: |
Standard Yellow...... 234 |107 |105 | 43 | 37 150 | 142 | 5.25 | 5.60 | $805 | 5,400 © 19.5 19.8
Dwarf Yellow..........| 332 |107 |105 | 43 | 37 150 142 | 3.00 | 2.00 | 4,660 | 3,225 15.8] 16.9
Dee SS | 359 |107 |104 | 43 | 38 150 | 142 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 4,275-| 3,600. 18.0 18.1
Standard White.-...... 352 1107 1105 |.43.1 37 | 150! 142°) 5.25. |-2. 20) 5, 985 |. 5, 250; 18.9 18.7
Feteriia _- 4, 3 5 55ers 182 106 | 80 | 36 | 61 142 | 141 | 4.75 | 4.25 | 4,000 | 3,375 ; 13.6 14.3
afir: |
Bitekmiuils 22522 os = 71 (120 |109 | 30 | 33 |1150 |! 142 | 5.00 | &.€0 | 8,500 | 2,475 | 29.3 9.5
Oe OLR ee eee 204 108 |104 | 42 38 150 142 | 5.00°| 5.00 | 5,850 | 3,975 | 22.3} 15.5
rye a eS. 340 (108 |104 | 42 | 38} 150 | 142 | 4.75 | 4.50 | 8,505 | 6,825 | 33.6 | 24.8
SUSE, i ee 472 |108 |104 | 42 | 38 | 150 | 142 7.00 | 6.00 /10,125 | 7,125 | 36.9 | 26.0
ithe ee St | 370 '104 |107 | 46 | 35 150 | 142 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 5,400 | 4,425 | 26.6 15.8
Dwar White. --....... | 566 109 106 | 41 | 36 150 | 142 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 5,175 | 3,825 | 24.0] 19.9
LEN US di re | 566 {109 |106 | 41 | 36 150 | 142 | 8.00 | 6.75 | 6,750 | 3,825 7.6 [oyD
eis ee 34 1109 108 | 41 | 34) 150] 142 | 5.50 | 5.CO | 8,300 | 5,550 | 30.0 | 22.3
Kaoliang
1B G4 1) Ee oe en 108 | 96 | 34 | 46 142 | 142} 5.20 | 3.5 4,815 | 4,275 | 18.3 1.7
Monel sos. 2 171 '105 | 91 | 34; 44 139 135 | &.00 | 4.50 | 2,610 | 2;100 | 2.9 Gai
SGN ES ae ee 309 108 | 95 | 34 | 41. | 142] 136 | 5.50 | 4.75 | 2,430 | 2,325 | 3.4 9.4
Miscellanecus: | | |
Sir) Sate ees oR eee 85 116 {115 34.227 | 150 | 2142 | 6.20 | 6.C0 | 6,165 | 4,275 , 22.8 | 12.6
DAT SOs ee eS aad 615 | 97 102 | 53 | 40 150 142 | 4,50 | 4.25 | &,950 | 4,125 | 25.7 20.9
S20! ep ee a a a 616 110 |107 | 40 | 35 ie 150 | 4142 | 4.50 | 4.75 | 7,400 | 4,650 | 29.3 | 18.6
| | } | | }
1 First seeding 50 per cent ripe, second seeding 25 per cent ripe when the first killing frost occurred cn
aie 12
2 Plat 25 per centripe on Oct. 12, when the killing frost occurred.
3 Plat 60 per cent rice when the first frost occurred.
4 Plat 40 per cent ize when the first frost occurred.
White durra in the later-sown plat matured in 5 days less time and
made a considerably higher yield than the earlier plat. Feterita
matured in 11 days less time and although the grain yields were
almost the same from the two seedings the total crop yield was more
than twice as much from the later seeding.
The kafirs in the later seeding failed to mature grain, hence results
for them are not included in the table. The kaoliangs in general
required less time in which to mature grain when seeded late, though
there were one or two exceptions. Four of the seven kaohangs made
higher grain yields when seeded on June 2 than when seeded on
May 11. All of the kaoliangs made higher yields of total crop from
the late seeding.
38 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Table 15 also shows data for the two sets of varietal plats sown
in 1917, when the second seeding was made eight days after the first.
The season of 1917 was very dry during July, and the sorghums prac-
tically stopped growth until rains fellin August. A study of the data
shows that the milos and feterita varied but little in grain yield for
the two seedings, though there is a shght advantage in favor of the
later seeded plats. On the other hand, the total crop yields are in
favor of the earlier seeding. The kafirs produced decidedly higher
grain and total crop yields from the first seeding, as did shallu, darso,
and Schrock sorghum. The kaoliangs made better grain yields from
the second seeding than from the first, though the total crop yields
were in favor of the earlier seeding.
From the foregoing data it is seen that quite different results may
be obtained from the same variety when seeded at different dates.
To study the ef-
fects of time of seed-
ing on the grain
? sorghums and to de-
x termine the best
V2 average date on
N which to seed them,
\ 20 date-of-seeding ex-
) periments with two
C / varieties were
5 aN started at the Wood-
\ /0 9.8 ward Field Station
N See in 1917. The vari-
ie RO Sw Shee 3 3 F ‘ eties used for these
date-of-seeding ex-
periments were
APRILIS MAY! MAYIES JUNE! JSUNEIS SULY/ Dwarf Yellow milo
DATES OF SEEO/NG (C. I. No: 332) and
Fra. 5.—Diagram showing the relation of row space per plant and Sunrise kafir (& die
per stalk to the percentage of suckering for the different dates cfseed- N D f
ing of Dwarf Yellow milo, based on 5-year averages, 1917 to 1921, O. 472) > war
inclusive: Yellow milo was se-
lected as a typical dwarf milo to represent the durra-milo group in
these experiments. Sunrise kafir was selected as the representative
of the kafir group because it had produced the highest grain yields
among the kafirs in the varietal experiments. The earliness and
total crop yields of Sunrise kafir also were considered.
In a preliminary date-of-seeding test conducted in 1916 Dwarf
Yellow milo and Sunrise kafir were sown on three dates at intervals
of approximately two weeks. This experiment showed that one
month did not cover the possible limits of seeding for these crops
under the conditions at the Woodward Field Station. In 1917 more
complete date-of-seeding experiments were started. The first or
earliest sowing was made about the middle of April, followed by
others at intervals of 14 or 15 days as nearly as conditions permitted
until the last date, on or about July 1. The two varieties have been
seeded on six different dates each year since 1917. Though it has
been impossible because of weather conditions always to make a
seeding on the exact date planned, this schedule has been followed
closely, and the average dates of seeding during the several years are
close to those planned. In view of the results obtained up to 1919,
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 39
three more varieties of grain sorghums were added that year to the
date-of-seeding experiments—Dawn kafir (C. I. No. 340), feterita
(C. I. No. 182), and Blackhull kaoliang (C. I. No. 310). In 1921
Reed kafir (C. I. No. 628) was added, to obtain data on its behavior
as compared with the other sorghums when sown on different dates.
The block of land used for date-of-seeding experiments is all pre-
pared before seeding the earliest plats. The plats to be sown on each
date are worked down before seeding, usually with a spring-tooth
harrow, and the seed is drilled deep enough to reach moist soil.
Land for the later dates is kept free from weeds by working with a
spring-tooth or disk harrow when necessary. The date-of-seeding
plats have varied in size from 6 to 10 rows, 44 inches apart and 132
feet long, one row equaling 0.0111 (one-ninetieth) acre. When any
border effect between plats is apparent the outside rows of- the
adjoining plats are discarded.
The agronomic data for the date-of-seeding experiments are pre-
sented in Tables 16 to 20. Table 21 is a summary of the yields of
all varieties included in the date-of-seeding experiments.
DWARF YELLOW MILO.
Table 16 shows the agronomic data for Dwarf Yellow milo in the
date-of-seeding experiments. This table shows that the stands ob-
tained from the mid-
dle of April and first
of May seedings have
been thinner than |
those obtained from
the sowings made on
the later dates.
These poor stands
have been due to the
cool, moist condition
of the soil, which
causes the seed to de-
cay rather than ger-
minate, a fact which 90
should be considered APRILIS MAY! MAYS JUNE JSUNEIS SULY/
in early seeding. The _ PATES GELOED
emeeteet Ges Nave" Ocoee fx Dwarf vellow milo sown or diferent antes in the
been fairly compar- gate of seeing experiment during the 5-year period from 1917 to
21, inclusive.
able in any year and
between the different years. In most years the thin stands of the
earlier dates have been compensated by suckering, so that in general
the differences in stands are not a limiting factor of yield. Figure 5
shows the relation of the date of seeding to the percentage of suckers
produced.
The total growing period has been longest from the mid-April seed-
ing in each of the 5 years. The extremes in the length of total
growing period were 169 days for the middle of April seeding in 1917
and 97 days for the mid-June seeding in 1919. The average number
of days in the total growing periods for the six dates of seeding is
shown graphically in Figure 6. It is apparent that the number of
days required from seeding to maturity decreases as the date of
seeding advances from the middle of April to the middle of June,
DAYS, SLEEOINGC FOVATURITY
40 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
but milo sown on July 1 requires a longer growing period than that
sown on June 15. This increase is due to the temperature grad-
ually falling after the middle of August, at which date the July 1
seeding is not headed. |
TABLE 16.—Agronomic data in the date-of-seeding experiments with Dwarf Yellow milo
at the Woodward Field Station during the 6-year period from 1916 to 1921, inclusive.
{In the statement of yields of grain per acre the bushel is rated at 58 pounds.1
| |
| Row space. | Length of period. Yields per acre.
| ~ | . .
Date of rs Erect | Stalks Beene gral
seeding. | Vege-|2. heads. headed.|,.,. ie
| Plant. |Stalk.| ta- | ie alt= poral) Pan planis.| crop? }"Total "Grain:
| five ng. | crop.
|
1916 In In. |Days. Days. | Days P.ct.| P.ct. | Feet. | P.ct.| Lbs. | Lbs: | Bus
May 1 | 6.89 | 5.84 68 29 Ofte) lS ee 78.1 4.0 | 37.1 | 2,400 89 15.3
May 15 | 6.14 | 5.64 66 Sil LOsit|'* LOOM Ree Sees 58. 6 3.0 | 22.8 | 2,025 461 8.0
ot une 1... 7.13 | 6.68 69 AQ WIS) Se Oe, Webra aes 65. 6 2.5 | 23.5 |. 2,295 540 9.3
ifg | |
April 16... | 18.84 | 6.48 | -122 47 | 169} 2.91} 59.0] 95.2 3.0 | 27.2 | 3,600 979 | 16.9
May-2.2 2. | 14.67 | 5.54] 106 541 160) 2:65 | 62.2 | 95.3 3.0 | 24.0.) 5,119-) 1,226-)> 21.71.
May 15. 9.70 | 5.00 | 108 40; 148, 1.94| 57.4) 884 3.5 | 26.2 | 4,781 | 1,254 | 21.6
June 2..... | 9.64:] 6.09 92 40) ©1832 f V..58.) £52565), 87.2 4.0 | 30.1 | 5,119 | 1,541 | 26.6
June 22..-.| 9.19 | 7.13 84 128} 112; 1.29) 70.5) 93.1 4,8 | 27.7 | 5,569 | 1,541 | 26.6
ae 3.....| 10.22 | 6.99 80 121 | 101; 1.46 | Taso 92.2 4.5 | 14.9 | 5,344 799 | 13.8
1
Apr. 16 3 =362538 sid c9 85 42| 127+ 3.35) 91.3] 95.6 3.0 | 17.6 | 1, 856 326 5.6
May 1..... 14.08 | 6.75 79 33 112} 2.09 | 99.7) 54.1 3.0} 5.4] 2,194 118 2.0
May 14.. 11. 27° | 6. 46 80 40 | 120 Loi! 98. Sale aaa, 2.5 | 4.4 | 1,875 83 1.4
June La = | 8.43 | 5.30 77 30 | 107 1.59 | 100.0 | 22.4 2.8:| 3.7 | 2,625 98 Lt
June 15. 8.14 | 6.20 75 27-1), 1028 123i | 10050)|, 48356 3.0 | 11.4 | 2,700 308 5.3
aa 155 ae 10.77 | 8.43 85 39 | 124] 1.28) 81.8 | 66. 3 2.8 |o1i7. 3) 32 500.1% GLI WOkS
|
Agres:.2- | 16.54 | 9.99; 101 351) 136-415, 6h | 8954e\" Gare 4.0. | 31.0) "3,938: )1, 221 e210
Apr. 30....| 17.20 |12. 79 93 29 122.) 1.357) 94.0 | 89. 4 4.0 | 34.1 | 3,263 | 1,114] 19.2
May 14... 9.93 | 5.78 84 26.| 1104) 2.22, | 99.545) 85.10 3.5 | 34.9 | 5,625 | 1,963 | 33.8
May 31. 11.65 | 5.44 75 25 | .100 | 2.14 » 98.8 |) 87.8 3.8 | 33.9 | 6,975 | 2,363 | 40.7
June 14. 6.78 | 4.85 67 30 97 1.40 | 99.5} 87.2 3.5 | 29.0 | 6,019 | 1,744 | 30.1
sei tan 30. Tat And. 00 62 30) |, LOOK AL to; | eOSA6 ls 8251 3.8 | 33.9 | 5,006 | 1,699 | 29.3
Apredioe. 2 14..26:158..20 92 41 Ao eer | Geen! O8al 4,5 | 26.9 | 3,769 | 1,013 | 17.4
Mayle | 8. a0 480 81 365! UT io Were!" 93.831) 682.2 4.5 | 21.3 | 3,525 750 | 12.9
May 17 7. 02 | 3.79 70 Bo 1054 1285), 99N0F 6 74.5 4.8 | 21.0 | 5,850 | 1,230 | 21.2
Jume fs | 6.45 | 3.90 66 39 | 105) 1.65) 98.47) 73.3 3.5 | 20.6 | 7,725 | 1,590 | 27.4
Jun2 15....| 6.65 | 4.98 66 48 114 1.34 | 94.7 | 92.4 4,2.) 29.0 |11,122 | 3,227 | 55.6
Pies DS cic) LOS O5 24. 78 65 33 | 798; 1.28! 70.3 | 95.9 4.9 | 33.0 | 9,386 | 3,099 | 53.4
Apr.18.. 10.465 | 6.66 83 38 121 i ES yey fs} a3) a ens er 4.8 | 46.0 | 3,544 | 1,631 | 28.1
Apres TSS1L0>) 16522 79 30 109.) 2701 O80") 9854. 5.1 | 48.3 | 5,119 | 2,216 | 38.2
May 16....; 8.03 | 5.89 73 26 99°} 1.36, 90.6} 97.2 4.9 | 39.3 ; 5,265 f 2,070 | 35.7
Junie L222: | 6.64 | 4.78 71 34 105 1.39)| 93:6. || “9555 5.5} 35.1 | 8,100 | 2, 841 49. 0
Jume lb. 2) Sell 5.44. 72 33 105 1.50! 61.0 | 95.7 4.5 | 38.0 | 7,586 | 2,880 | 49.6
July tse | Wott Oo 15 67 2 ett Om te 2t | 9bnt Sse 5.0 | 34.0 | 6,171 12,096 | 36.1
5-year aver- |
age, 1917 |
to 1921 |
Drove Woe 24. 50 | 9.82 97 41 TB Taliseds 240 re9 JOBE 39652 3.9 | 29.7 | 3,341 | 1,084] 17.8
May 1 13.48 | 7.22 | 88 36 124 1.97 | 83:7.) 83.9 3.9 | 25.6 | 3,844 | 1,085 18. 7
May 15 9.19 | 5.38 | 88 Spi} 116 1 W25\- <895051 4650 3.8 | 25:2 | 4,679 | 1,320°| 22:7
June de. 2: 8.56 | 5.10 76 34 (6-100) 15677)" Saat pron 3.9 | 24.7,| 6,109 | 1,687 | 29-1
June 15 WMO) Sate 73 33 105 13%} 85.1 83. 6 4.0 | 27.0 | 6,599 | 1,940 | 33.4
July) Woes 8. 54 | 6.34 72 Stel DOS) 185i 84. 2oles8o..9 4,2 | 26.6 | 5,889 | 1,661] 28.6
|
1 Milo on plats sown on June 22 and on July 3 about 50 per cent and 25 per cent rips, respectively, when
the first frost occurred on Oct. 12.
2 Not fully ripe when harvested.
The proportion of erect heads has varied greatly in different years,
and in certain years there has been a great variation as between dates.
On the average the percentage of erect heads was highest from the
May 15 and June 1 seedings, being 89 and 88.7 per cent, respectively.
In the height of plants the range has been from 2.5 to 5.5 feet.
The range as between the different years has naturally been much
greater than between the different dates. The average height of
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 4]
lants was 2.85 feet for the six dates in 1918 and 5.05 feet in 1921,
while the 5-year average height for individual dates varies only
between 3.8 and 4.2 feet. The May 15 seeding averaged 3.8 feet in
height for the 5 years and the July 1 date averaged 4.2 feet.
MEAN TEMPERATURE °F
~
¥
>
~
=
N
KZ
Ro. :
S ae Q
B SSSEFRSOLLTHS OTCLR RNS OKC LARS VVggsgrgyvgegveeggg® LF Qs
c POF FL L007 SUNE SLY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER BUSHELS PER ACRE
Fic. 7.—Diagram showing (1) at bottom, daily precivitation (in inches) from April 1 to October 31, 1917;
(2) central portion, the length of the growing (solid bars) and fruiting (open bars) periods of six suc-
cessive seedings of Dwarf Yellow milo; (3) at top, mean temperature (in degrees F’.) by 5-day periods
from April 1 to October 31; (4) at right, acre yield (in bushels) from each of the six seedings.
The percentage of stalks headed has also varied more in different
years than as between the different dates of seeding. The stalks
headed averaged 53.8 per cent for the six dates in 1918 and 95.9 per
90
wo LUE | ea eee AN | |
7 ee ee |
60
| : :
es UE ee ee ee ee
O° MEIN
* CONTR OLEH OVALS TV ORHS OTR TS OLA YS OVO
APRIL Ir JUNE SUL AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 5,95 ”E ES.
RE CIIIVTAITION (INCHES
NNN
HHO
Fic. 8.—Diagram showing (1) at bottom, daily precipitation (in inches) from April 1 to October 31, 1918;
(2) central portion, length of growing (solid bars) and fruiting (open bars) periods of six successive
seedlings of Dwarf Yellow milo; (3) at top, mean temperature (in degrees F.) by 5-day periods from
April 1 to October 31; (4) at right, acre yield (in bushels) from each of the six seedings.
cent in 1921. The April 15 date has averaged 96.2 per cent of stalks
headed, while the June 1 date has averaged but 73.2 per cent for the
5 years. This low average is due in large part to an almost total
failure to produce heads from this seeding in 1918.
42, LULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The yield of grain in pounds and bushels per acre is shown for each
date. In the five years these experiments have been conducted no
single date of seeding has made the highest yield every year. In
order to determine the best date on which to seed the crop to make
the highest grain yield, the average of the different dates for the
1919 - A |
80 T a a wet = =
7O
: | “\/
uy °?
S sol
fire ee
\ 40} oo
[pa
3O + =f
E [ear ear
Z iS)
Q
SN .
GS nears See Se)
. L BREN EPR Eee
S2 =
kK
S
UW HLOKS HLORTS OLLKHS OLLKHS OLLKTS LOSS HLESHSSO Vg go
q AIPRIL MAY YUNE YULY~ AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER BUSHELS PER ACRE
Fic. 9.—Diagram showing (1) at bottom, daily precipitation (in inches) from April 1 to October 20, 1919;
(2) central portion, length of growing (solid bars) and fruiting (open bars) periods of six successive
seedings of Dwarf Yellow milo; (3) at top, mean temperature (in degrees F.) by 5-day periods from
April 1 to October 20; (4) at right, acre yield (in bushels) from each of the six seedings.
five years must be considered. In 1917 the June 1 and June 15 dates
produced the highest yields, 26.6 bushels from each plat. In 1918
the July 1 date made the best grain yield; in 1919 the June 1 date;
in 1920 the June 15 date, with the July 1 date a close second; and
OAXNN
OHO
SUL
PRECIPITATION /NCHES
9
Fia. 10.—Diagram showing (1) at bottom, daily precipitation (in inches) from April 1 to October 15, 1920;
(2) central portion, length of growing (solid bars) and fruiting (open bars) periods of six successive
seedings of Dwarf Yellow milo; (3) at top, mean temperature (in degrees F.) by 5-day periods from
April 1 to October 15; (4) at right, acre yield (in bushels) from each of the six seedings.
in 1921 the June 15 date was the high yielder and the June 1 date a
close second. ‘Thus, in the five years, the June 1 date has made the
highest grain yield one year and in two others it has tied with the
June 15 date. The June 15 date likewise has made the highest yield
in one year and tied with the June 1 date in two years, while in one
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 43
year the July 1 date made the highest grain yield. The 5-year
average yields for the different dates are given in Table 16. The
highest yielding plat of Dwarf Yellow milo in 1921, the June 15
oO
seeding, is shown in Plate IV, Figure 2.
22 o>,” al a ir eee eee
— J — TJ }
t 70 |
ye | A | / /
“NA + ee
“SS Sn : : Praca
Ee
ih] . 7 |
f, SE SS SS See
= er pes sj - |
» ———
RS
G |
S
3
| T= a a ee
=o ee eee Ee )
N Sn ae oe Se .
S eae ee 8 I ei iid . £ |. | = | |
RB = MLOR KS “LORKAS OLLATS MLQR Qs VLQARS OQLARS OLLRRSS VRS OS
x AIPRIL Vi Ja al SUNE SULY AIUGUST SEFTEYIBER OCTOBER LBUSHELS FER ACRE
Fic. 11.—Diagram showing (1) at bottom, daily precipitation (in inches) from April 1 to October 31, 1921;
(2) central portion, length of growing (solid bars) and fruiting (open bars) periods of six successive
seedings of Dwarf Yellow milo; (3) at. top, mean temperature (in degrees F.) by 5-day periods from
April 1 to October 31; (4) at right, acre yield (in bushels) from each of the six seedings.
There appears to be a critical period in the development of the
milo crop, which extends from the time the head is forming in the
boot until the seeds have formed. Should this stage fall during a
dry period, the yield will be reduced. To show the relation between
the dates of seeding, the growing periods, rainfall, and yields, Figures
|
AVERAGE \VIELOS
PER AGRE |
| }
|
8
MEAN
DN)
9
%
8
nn ee ==
|
}
j j | ALERAGE DATE OF FIRST | ——~
j | FILLING FROST Md FALL MOU3.\ | {
© S 9 \ : ;
PLB So LST IS o PLEAS oLSLVS OL SIS OLLSTSoeeggs O VFR y
SOTLHGFLOVTLFESL OTL FKL OV LFS Vo VT Qng SOV QR KrLoseag
LIPFIL 7A SOME SLLY AUGUST SEYTLE/SIGER OCTOBER
PRECIPITATION INCHES
OY SANOCG Ay PERIOOAS
Fic. 12—Diagram showing (1) at bottom, average precipitation (in inches) by 5-day pericds from April
1 to October 31 during the five years from 1917 to 1921, inclusive; (2) central portion, average length
of growing (solid bars) and fruiting (open bars) periods of six successive seedings of Dwarf Yellow milo
during this 5-year period: (3) at top, average mean temperature (in degrees F.) by 5-day periods from
April 1 to October 3! during the five years from 1917 to 1921, inclusive; (4) at right, average acre yield
(in bushels) from each cf the six seedings in the 5-year period.
7 to 11 are presented. The dates of first heading are given instead
of the full heading dates, as the former show more nearly the begin-
ning of the supposed critical period in the development of the milo
plant. Figure 12 shows the average data for the 5 vears, the rainfall
and temperature being given by 5-day and 6-day periods averaged
44 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
for the 5 years. It is to be noted that during the last 16 days of —
July and the first 5 days of August the rainfall has been very low,
this period also being marked by high average temperature. The
critical peridd of milo seeded during May falls in this dry period, as
does the latter part of the critical period of the April 15 seeding.
The plat seeded on June 1 makes boot about the time the August
rains start. Under average conditions it is seen that milo sown on
the mid-June date reaches its critical stage about the middle of
August, when, on the average, rains have occurred. The plat sown
on July 1 is frequently immature at the time of the first killing frost,
hence its yield is decreased. The conditions described are average for
the 5-year period from 1917 to 1921, the period during which these
date-of-seeding experiments have been conducted. For this period
the highest average yield, 33.4 bushels, was produced from the June
15 seeding, the June 1 and July 1 seedings ranking next with 29.1
and 28.6 bushels, respectively. Yields of the total crop vary con-
sistently with the yields of grain.
SUNRISE KAFIR.
The agronomic data recorded for Sunrise kafir in the date-of-
seeding experiments are presented in Table 17, and the annual and
average grain yields
‘eh for the different
€ dates are summa-
e/FO rized in Table 21.
N The same difficulty
V/BO has been experienced
= in obtaining stands
Pues of Sunrise kafir from
© the earlier dates of
oo be seeding as with
Nes Dwarf Yellow milo.
q In 1918 the stand
gee from the April 15
x seeding was very
Y?
\ APRILIE MAY] MAVIE JUNETJUNETS JoLys Poor and was so thin
DATES SELOED that suckering could
Fic. 13.—Diagram showing average number of days from seeding to Set mae the
ripening for Sunrise kafir sown on different dates in the dat2-of- difference. In other
ee eae during the 5-year period from 1917 to 1921, years the stands
Sore have been fairly
ce mparable for the different dates. The desired stand for Sunrise
kafir was one plant for each 12 inches of row space, and under these
conditions suckering has been rather extensive.
The total growing period for Sunrise kafir has averaged longer
than that for Dwarf Yellow milo. The longest period has been
required by the earlier dates. The shortest total growing period for
Sunrise kafir has been that for the June 1 seeding, 110 days, the same
as that for Dwarf Yellow milo seeded on the same date. The June 15
seeding has required a longer period in which to mature than that of
June 1, while the July 1 seeding has been caught by frost in two
of the five years and its growing period has been shortened thereby, as
the crop was not fully matured. Figure 13 represents the average
length of the total growing period required by Sunrise kafir sown
onthe different dates in the five years.
val
Puy.
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA. 45
TasLe 17.—Agronomic data in the date-of-seeding experiments with Sunrise kafir at the
Woodward Field Station during the 5-ycar period from 1917 to 1921, inclusive.
[In the statement of yields of grain per acre the bushel is rated at 60 pounds.]
| | |
Row space. __ Length of period. | Yield per acre.
aes. Stalks Stalks Height) Grain |
Beadiae ee — | oa "aim
las Mere ete ee ee So - Pants. | CTOD-- | Total: F
| Plant.) Stalk. tative.| ing. Total. | | crop. Grain.
ee } - SE
| | | | | -
1916: In. In. | Days.| Days. Days. P.ct. | Feet. | P.ct. | Lbs. | Lbs. | Bush.
Mag hi 22 7.44 | 5.98 74 ooh ler Mio: 1.24) 75,9 | 5.5 |. -20: 4-| 4.700 960 | 16.0
May 15-- -< ..< 6.59 | 6.46 | 7 31 109 | 1.02; 77.5] 4.5] 14.6) 4,331 | 630 | 10.5
3 ee 5.80 | 5.70 67 45| 112] 1.02| 73.9] 4.5] 124|4,444| 551) 92
1917: | |
Ann i6* 22. 11.7 4. 45 118 61 | 179 | 2.66 | 95.7 | 3.5 | 23.2 | 6,975 | 1,620 27.0
May 2 Pe cs - | 17.20 | 5.61 102 61 163°] 3:07 | 97.3). 6.54 20.0 | 7,256.) 1,451 24. 2
Maglo:. 2. 3 11.08 | 4.43 108 42 | 150} 2:50 | 96.4, 5.8; 20.7] 8,438 | 1,744 29.1
ETT a 13.42 | 7.40 91 4} ~ 132-- 1.82 | 97..7 6.0 | 23.14 6, 863 | 1,586 26. 4
June 22....... (4) (1) 87 25} 2112 |. (4) (1) 6.0 | 15.4] 5,625; 866] 14.4
we: SS eae (2) (1) 81 7 a ie 3 og a GS) (4) 6.0 8.2 | 5,344 | 439 | 7.3
1 | | |
Ape dG... 180.0 | 62.38 88 sone 127/23. 02 | O47). 5.0) 21%) 675) = 146) oe
Mety Po 3523) 207 10: 10 86 26 112 ; - 2.08 |- 80.9 4-8 |} -20:6°| 1,969 |* 405° 1" “627
May 14....... 162503) 4-54 80 39 119 | 2.20| 58.4 455158 a7 0945) e366 6.1
arma ot 16. 29 | 12.12 72 33 105: | 5 359" 79. 3 4.5.4. 23. 8-| 25194) .523 S38
Pune 15os 2 15. &3 | -14. 27 80 59) 139) 1 68525) B28. fe 21825: |. 286 238 4.0
Mae: ee 15. 92 | 13. 80 93 40 133 | 1.15 | 47.7} 4.0) 13.3) 1,519) 203 3.4
ge. $525. -— 23 | 16.74 | 13.30 | 105 34 | 139 |. 1.26.| 90.3)- 6.0} 17.6-| 3,206.| 585 9.7
0 a ri 19.32 | 14.30 91 Sele ketene Aa Sos “BO. fa) 8 Oe) 20.0 | 2do0 | TOS LE By
Maye. 2... 13.18 | 6.98 82 28 110 | 1.89} 89.3 5.3 | 33.3 | 4,838 | 1,609 26. 8
Mays: 13.76 | 11.00 68 33) 10 uD 25a Nam) ea |S ers he at Wd ae 04 25.0
June 14-2 |. Paina}. 7218 62 35 97 1.70 | 88.5 5.0 | 28.5 | 4,894 | 1,395 23.3
3 Aye ie 12.79 | 7.25 68 35 103 | 1.77 | 84.97) 6.0 |- 28.0.|.5,175 | 1,451 24. 2
ApEriS:... 22: . 20.35 | 10.69 97| 40 137 |= 2.98 | 97-0 6.5 | 21.8 | 4,388 956 15.9
may 12.76 | 4.81 84 37 121 | -2:65 | 91.2 6.5 | 22.2 | 6,225 | 1,380 23.0
May its: 52>. 11.54 | 4.30 75 31 106 | 2.68 | 93.6 6.0 | 30.3 | 7,575 | 2,295 38.3
Sune tet. | 12.60 | 6.35 67 {-— 38 105 1.99| 94.4 6.2.| 26.81 6,375'| 1,710 28. 5
June 15.-..-.- 12.32 | 7.20 66 | . 48 | ce) 171 | Sed 5.9 | 34.9 | 6,450 | 2,250 37.5
eet? Safes 11.94 | 9.90 66 | 32} 98{ 1.21] 89.4 6.3 | 32.6 | 4,275 | 1,395 23.3
Apr. 18.......| 12.50 | 9.99 86} 35 121°) 1.26}. 91.9 6.0! 43.0 | 4,106 | 1,766 29. 4
ADE 30s-.---.| 24.89 | 9.47 79} 36 iy )- 1557 -) 97.0 6.2 | 48.1 | 4,274 | 1,841 30.7
May 16....... 14.66 | 7.26 70; 40; 110; 2,02) 94.5] 6.5 | 31.4 | 6,600 | 2,070 34.5
ees 11.22 | 7.08 64 42 106 | 1.58 | 96.0] 6.1 36.8 | 5,700 | 2,100 35. 0
June 153... .. 12.69 | 10.52 63 42 105 | 1.21 | 93.44 5:7 | 42.0 |23,750 | 1,575 26.3
July Psst 2: 12.46 | 7.51 73 46 119 | 1.66] 87.1] 5.9) 29.2 | 4,875 | 1,425 23. 7
5-year average, | |
1917 to 1921: | |
pe 16) 25... 15. 88 | 20.16 os A 141 2.02) 93.9) 5.8 | 25.5 | 3,870 | 1,015 16.9
My Joc... 17.05 | 8.86 88 39 127°|-. 2.15 | 90.4.) 5.7 | 26.3 |-4,496 | 1 156 19.3
Wit yl Se 25 13.41 | 6.10 8} 36) 119) 2.26; 86.4 5.6 | 25.5 | 6,109 | 1,617 27.0
June d:..-....| 13.46 |. 8.79 12-\= - 37 110} 1.60/ 91.8 5.6 | 28.7 | 5,138 | 1, 484 24.7
June 15.......|413. 25 | 49.79 72 42 113 | 41.43 | 4 86.1 5.3 | 27.9 | 4,401 | 1,265 21.1
i) Bete 413.28 Nes Sigs 76 | 35 111 41.45 | 477.3 5.6 | 22.3 | 4,238 983 16.4
i | | }
1 Counts not made, the crop being immature when harvested.
2 About 20 per cent of the June 22 seeding and 5 per cent of the July 3 seeding was ripe at the time of the
first frost on Oct. 12.
, beg on from the June 15 date in 1921 was blown down badly by a windstorm, and much fodder was left
in the field.
4 Average for 4 years only.
Sunrise kafir sown on May 15 has produced the highest number of
suckers per plant, though its stand was practically as thick as that of
any of the otherdates. Figure 14 shows the relation between the date
of seeding and the percentage of suckers. In the five years the May 15
seeding has averaged one plant to each 13.41 inches of row space and
has produced an average of 1.26 suckers per plant; the plat sown on
May 1 has averaged one plant to each 17.05 inches and has produced
1.15 suckers per plant; and the June 1 seeding has averaged one
plant to each 13.46 inches and produced but 0.6 sucker per plant.
It appears that growing conditions for Sunrise kafir sown about May
15 are such as to cause the plants to produce a high percentage of
—
46 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
suckers and that the high percentage of suckering is not due entirely
to thin stands. |
In height the range has been from 3.8 to 6.5 feet in the different
years. The height and its variations are not significant, the variation
in average height for the 5-year period being only that between 5.3 and
5.8 feet.
The yields of grain obtained are more consistent for Sunrise kafir
than for Dwarf Yellow milo. During the five years, the May 15
seeding has produced the highest yields in three years and in a fourth
year, 1921, it made but 0.5 bushel less than the June 1 seeding, which
was the highest yielder.
In two of the five yeayrg the June 1 seeding
yielded highest.
we. Sle i ee
Jas appears that the
: 3 ae ee ae ‘0? best date forseeding
B20 - veo “Sunrise kafir under
y i 8 Pe eee Se » conditionssimilar to
as soem those at the Wood-
& le eet wee 8 ward Field Station
es 120% is from May 15 to
x Bees eta bee 5 29. The period dur-
§ 29 yoo} =6ing which Sunrise
ei eae aE: & kafir may be seeded
g ee a eo 2 to make the best
4 Fea so § returns probably ex-
73| tends from about
= reek BP May 5 to 25.
As kafir is better
20 than milo for forage,
the yields of the
total crop are also of
importance. The
May 15 seeding ex-
ceeded any other seeding by almost half a ton to the acre, the average
total production from this seeding being 6,109 pounds per acre. The
June 1 seeding ranked next, followed by the May 1 and June 15
seedings. The June 15 plats of Dwarf Yellow milo in the same five
years produced an average total crop of 6,599 pounds.
DATES OF SLED/NG
Fic. 14.—Diagram sowing relation of row space per plant and per
stalk to percentage of suckering for different dates of seeding Sun-
rise kafir, based on 4-year averages, 1918 to 1921, inclusive.
DAWN KAFIR.
Date-of-seeding experiments have been conducted with Dawn kafir
since 1919. The agronomic data for this variety for the three years
are presented in Table 18. The annual and average grain yields are
shown for comparison with other varieties in Table 21.
Dawn kafir was not seeded on April 15 in these experiments, as it
had been proved from the test with Sunrise kafir that April 15 is too
early to sow kafir and obtain fair stands. In 1920 a plat of Dawn
kafir was seeded on July 1, but from this one seeding and from the
‘results obtained from the July 1 sowing of Sunrise kafir it was
apparent that July 1 is too late to seed kafir and expect a well-
matured grain crop. As the April 15 sowing was not included in the
experiment with Dawn kafir, the stands obtained on the Dawn kafir
plats were very uniform and were comparable between years and
between different dates in the same year.
~
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA. 47
From a comparison of the number of stalks per plant it is apparent
that Sunrise kafir has a tendency to produce more suckers than Dawn
kafir under all conditions which existed during the three years from
1919 to 1921 and for the dates when both Dawn and Sunrise kafirs
were seeded.
TaBLE 18.—Agronomic data in the date-of-seeding experiments with Dawn and Reed
kafirs at the Woodward Field Station for the years 1919, 1920, and 1921.
[In the statement of yields of grain per acre the bushel is rated at 60 pounds.]
| | |
Row space. Length of period. | | Yields per acre.
Variety and _ Stalks|Stalks Height) Grain
date of = | per head- a -in | ides
seeding. Vege- | Fruit- | plant.| ed. plants. crop. | Tota .
Plant. Stalk. | + tive. ing. oe | crop. Grain.
|
| |
DAWN KAFIR
1919 In. In. | Days. | Days. | Days. | PY cts; Meek. |B =-Cbs \e 08 al 0S. PB usie
Wipro ds. + =|. 14.67 >) 12.42 90 124} 1.18] 81.5 3.8 | 22.6 | 3,038 686 11,4
May 14....... 12.11 | 7.45 80 30 110} 1.67) 82.7) 3.8) 30.8 | 4,275 | 1,316 21.9
May 31.-..... 12.85 | 11.23 68 23 101 1.15 | 93.4 3.5 | 33.2 |.4,275 | 1,418 23.6
meee 1s SRA 12.21 | 8.54 62 35 974 1.43 Ved 3.8 | 29.5 | 4,275 | 1, 260 21.0
May 12.08 | 5.61 84 37 2t |2.15 | 90r2)° 4:5 |= 92.871 6,000 | 1,965 32.8
Mayitios 2... MOST | “A. AF 75 31} 106|] 2.66) 87.3 4.3 | 34.8 | 6,300 | 2,190 36.5
aarp te: St. 12.67 | 7.84 67 38 105 | 1.62) 95.3 4.1) 37.0 | 5,500 | 2,055 34.3
June 152.25... 12.73 | 9.74 66 ASule eiaale et Sh 92, 4.0 38.7 | 5,500 | 2,145 35.8
me ae 11.87 | 10.26 Gael e252 |= 98 |= 1.16.) * 86.0 4.5 | 25.9 | 5,100 | 1,320 22.0
21:
oo | 14.67 | 12.08 76 39 | 115 | 1.21 |7121.1 4.1 | 49.8 | 3,675 | 1,820 30.5
May: 162-22. 14.49 | 8.86 70 | 40; 110|-1.64)| 98.6 4.6 | 39.5 | 5,475 | 2,160 36.0
cir i 11.40 | 9.37 64 | 42} L067 1322) (95-0 4.1: 40.0) 4,875 | 1,950 32.5
Jimmie’ 152-2... . 13.70 | 11.89 63 42) 105) 1.15) 93.9 4.1 | 40.4 | 4,125 | 1, 645 27.4
3-year average, |
1913 to 1921:
Apradt.
Ww
i
<
=
oO
U. S. Dept: of Agriculture.
weal7A3);
Bul.
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GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA. 49
Feterita has shown an ability to mature grain when seeded later
than Dwarf Yellow milo, and it has possibilities as a crop to be seeded
in July for grain. From these data feterita appears to be a consist-
ent grain yielder and to be less influenced by droughty periods than
milo.
BLACKHULL KAOLIANG.
Blackhull kaoliang has been sown in the date-of-seeding experi-
ments on the same dates as feterita. The agronomic data ‘recorded
for this crop are shown in Table 20, and the grain yields are summar-
ized in Table 21 for comparison with those of other varieties.
The same difficulty has been found with Blackhull kaoliang as
with feterita in obtaining stands. Under conditions when * the
stands are comparable this kaolang produces fewer suckers than
feterita. The length of the total growing period is practically the
same, though feterita begins heading a few days earlier than this
variety of kaoliang
Blackhull kaoliang sown on June 15 has made the highest grain
yield, though in 1919 this may have been due to the better stand.
It may be used as a late grain crop like feterita, though feterita
probably will mature grain from later seedings.
TABLE 20.—Agronomic data in the date-of-seeding experiments with Blackhull kaoliang at
the Woodward Field Station for the years 1919, 1920, and 1921.
(In the statement of yields per acre the bushel is rated at 53 pounds.]
5 i
Row space. | Length of period. Yields per acre.
'Stalks|Stalks Height) Grain |
eames. | V F ite. | a a oe | ae Total |
ege- | Frui | plan e plants. | op. ota =
Plant. Stalk. ‘tative. ing sua. | | crop. Grain.
| | Wr wa Ser |
1919: wor |? ays. | Days. | Days. Poet. | Feet. | P.ct.| Lbs: |. Lbs. ges
AT SO se.2 100.72) "36 85 39 124 | 2.28 70.6 | 95.8 37.2 | 1,013 377 6.5
May 14:-..=- . 26. 36 | 13.06 | 76 o45}t<* 110 | 2. 02 OF; im cb. 5 39.7 | 3,319 | 1,316 22.7
May 31....... 17.17 | 11.08| 65 37| 1027 1.55]. 93.1| 5.3| 39.0 | 3431 | 1,339} 23.1
ag te) AS 004. *.6..65 | 54 39 93° | 1220)" 91.9 | ~5.3-) 41.0 | 3,544 | 1,451 25.0
20: | | |
May -Bzx. i. 9.32 | 5.40 78 | 34} 112/ 1.78) 90.5} 6.5 30.6 | 3,675 | 1,125 19.4
ES 6.31 | 4.33 | 68 31 | Hose dA “Oo A: 6.1) 35:3.) 45875 | 1,770 30.5
ee eS b.-6:20 | 4.19 | 61 30 | 91 1.48 89.7 6.3 35.9 | 5,160 | 1,850 pea
June 15s =. 5.91 5, 26 | 60 37 97 1.12 92.5 5.6 | 34.1 | 6,900 | 2,355 40. 6
Serbs 22. 5.46 | 5.12 62 36 | 98 | 1.07 92.9 6.9} 28.9 | 6,900 | 1,995 34.4
oe (le 6.17 | 4.45 | 60 139 99 1.39 Sigl|- soso 30.3 | 6,525 | 1,980 34.1
1 :
ApT30: = 13.0451 EAT vif 32! 109}. 1.74) 97.9) 5.8 | 39.4 |-5,250.1 2;070 25.7
May 16....... | 8.35 | 5.89 70 29 99| 1.42| 95.1| 6.4] 39.4 | 5,250|2,070| 35.7
ivi = | 8.45 6.34 64 30 94 1.33 | 95:7| 95.9 | 38.3 | 5,925 | 2,265 39.1
June 15... | 7.48 6. 22 59 42 101 1-204) =29 77-4 5 4B OL FT 5,925 | 2,355 | 40.6
-{clh a! a’ 4542. \- 6.18 59 38 + 120}. Ot. 1 eer 41.9 | 4,725 | 1,980 Seb.
SuiviIOW<- (2) | 4,28 By 48} 105| (@) 4. (2) | 4.5 | 34.9 | 3,938 | 1,373 23.6
| |
1919to0 1921: | |
[og See | 41.03 20. 48 80 | ell 1. 9f | 83.3 6.0 35.7 | 3,313 | 1,191 20.5
May fae kt 13.67 7.76 7a. 3} 103 1.63 | 93.1 6.0 38.5 | 4,481 | 1,719 29.6
June 1 10. 61 7. 20 63 By 95 1.45 92.8 os 37.7 | 4,839 | 1,821 31.4
Ai Oy ils | 6. 04 58 39 | 97; 1.18; 93.9; 5.4] 38.3 | 5,456 | 2,054 35.4
1 The July 15 so wing was not fully ripe when harvested.
2 Stalks only counted for J sae 15 seeding, plants badly tangled.
COMPARATIVE YIELDS IN DATE-OF-SEEDING EXPERIMENTS.
Table 21 shows the annual and average acre yields from the dif-
ferent dates of seeding for the five varieties which have been erown
in these experiments for at least three years. The averages for three,
five, and six years are computed where data are available. Dwarf
50 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Yellow milo and Sunrise kafir have been included during the entire
five years, and data are available for each of these varieties from
sowing on three dates for six years. Dawn kafir, feterita, and black-
hull kaoliang have been included in these experiments for only three
years. é
TABLE 21.— Yields of grain-sorghum varieties grown in the date-of-seeding experiments
at the Woodward Field Station during the 5-year period from 1917 to 1921, inclusive.
[In the statement of yields of grain per acre the bushel is rated at 60 pounds for the kafirs and at 58 pounds:
for all other sorghums.]
Yields per acre (bushels).
| Average.
Variety and date of seeding. |
1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 3 years, 5 years,| 6 years,
1919 to | 1917 to | 1916 to
| 1921. 1921. 1921.
2a if ms | MAS 33 SEG
Dwarf Yellow milo:
ADT gLbigs hopes tae os oe a ae ee 16.9 5.6 21.0 17.4 28.1 22.2 17.8. |e
Mayalz.. 23a ee Oo eee ee 1533 Pale 2.0 19 2 12.9 38 2 23.4 1807. 18.1
Manage <2 Stans 2 hee aaa 8.0 21.6 1.4 33.8 ZL. 2 Soren 30.2 Doak 2053
JUNI: Se tie eee 8 9.3 26.6 EWS 40.7 27.4 49.0 39.0 29.1 PAs
JUNO Re et eee oes ee eee 26.6 eyes | 30.1 55.6 49.6 45.1 3304" | nee
60 sf epee oe We AN Peres ec a es 13.8 10.5 29.3 53.4 36.1 39.6 286053
Sunrise kafir:
Ate lias Sh Mai 5 ieee ee 4 27.0 2.4 9.7 15.9 29 4 18.3 16305 | eee
Mary de ae ee eke Le el 16.0 24.2 6.7 aD ore 23 0 3257 21.8 19.3 18.7
Ma MLS 2 ete, OE 10 5 “29 Gaul 26.8 38.3 34.5 sa.2 27.0 24.2
DH OY SY. feds ees ar ee 9.2 26.4 8.7 25.0 28. 5 35.0 DOSS ||. Daa 22-5
aX Sha 5 Tee a ea eg et ae 14.4 4.0 Date SHE 26 3 29.0 | PA We fe seh
Uiilysleeren eer =e ceca ee lee 3.4 24.2 2325 232-0 2B igi Plants Rate Plants
= per acre. per acre.
Rows. | Plants. Rows. Plants.
Ree ioe 5. 44 | Gi, 94,0004): No. 6...2- 2.22.42... £8 9 £, 000
ee 88 | 3 PEON INO Fo? ce 44 24 6, 000
ined: oon el ea 44 | 12 SPEONO MAN OL Sa. (22 te 88 tz 6, 000
shia: Dont ie Sere SS 6 PPAGHNOUUNIORG =. ee 23 4h 30 4, 800
iC) te ee a ee 44 18 Set, INO Oo ee oe §8 15 4,800
DWARF YELLOW MILO.
FIRST DIVISION, ROWS 44 INCHES APART.
The agronomic data for the Dwarf Yellow milo in the first division
of the spacing experiments are presented in Table 23. This table
shows that in 1917 and 1918 the 6-inch plat was too thin, the space
between plants exceeding the desired 6 inches by 3.9 inches in 1917
and by 2.04 inches in 1918. During the last three years rate 1 has
practically averaged one plant to each 6 inches of row space. The
plats for rate 3, one plant to each 12 inches, were also too thin in
1917 and 1918, but during the last three years this rate has been
very close to one plant to each 12 inches. Rate 5, one plant to each
18 inches, was too thin during 1917 and 1918, but in 1919, 1920, and
1921 it has been close to the 18-inch space desired. Rate 7, one plant
to each 24 inches, and rate 9, one plant to each 30 inches, have been
close to the desired spacings in each of the five years.
Because of the tendency of Dwarf Yellow milo to produce suckers,
the average stalk space is relatively much less for the thin rates than
the plant space. The average plant space for rate 1 during the
five years was 7.20 inches and that for rate 9 was 29.54 inches, while
the average stalk spaces in the same period were 5.14 and 9.39 inches
for rates 1 and 9, respectively. Though there are several exceptions,
in general the number of suckers per plant increases with the dis-
tance between the plants. The maximum number of suckers pro-
duced by Dwarf Yellow milo at the Woodward Field Station has
been approximately 2.5 suckers per plant. In 1920 and 1921 rate 7,
one plant to each 24 inches, produced more suckers per plant than
rate 9. During the other years rate 9 produced the greatest number
of suckers per plant, as was to be expected.
The percentage of erect heads averaged more than 90 per cent for
all spacings in 1918, 1919, and 1920. In 1918 the milo made boot
and headed during the dry period early in August. As a result,
growth was slow and no pendent heads resulted. In both 1919 and
1920 the thinner rates had slightly more pendent heads than the
thicker rates. In 1917 the percentage of erect heads averaged
about 50 per cent for the five rates, the large number of pendent
heads no doubt being due to the boots and heads forming during
and after the period of good rains in the latter part of August. In
1921 the percentage of erect heads was highest in the thickest rate
and decreased regularly with the wider spacing. This was due to
good moisture and growing conditions at the time of heading.
54 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
TABLE 23.—Data in the spacing experiments with Dwarf Yellow milo grown in rows 44
inches apart at the Woodward Field Station during the 5-year period from 1917 to 1921,
inclusive.
[In the statement of yields of grain per acre the bushel is rated at 58 pounds.]
ow space. & ;
R p ge gad ae Total Grain Yields per acre
s 7 = Stalks | Erect | grow- 5 in
Gi PENN eat headed. heads.| ing Height. total Total |
Plant.| Stalk. | P!42"- ‘period. crop. | Grain
| crop
1917: Inches. Inches. Per ct. |\Per ct.| Days.| Feet. | Per-ct.| Lbs. | Lbs. | Bush.
Rate: le. eee 9.90 | 6.16 1.61 | 86.1] 48.6 139 3.3 | 27.0 | £,500 | 1,215 20.9
Rate dos2s5_s.o8 14.40 | 6.78 2.12 83.6 | 51.5 139 3.0 | 22.6 | 4,600 | 1,040 | 17.9
Rateds2. 2! eee 19.88 | 7.26 2.74 90.0 | 50.6 139 4.0 | 27.2 | 5,400 | 1,470 j- 25.3
Rate Vice so ee 25.02 | 7.79 3.23 | 85.8] 52.6] 139 3.5 | 25.7 | 4,550 | 1,170 | 20.2
eae ae 28.28! 8.43 | 3.36] 87.8| 46.0) 139 3.0 | 27.2 | 4,100 | 1,220] 21.0
1918:
Rate [ove seston 8.04 | 5.44 1.48 38. 6 | 100.0 96 3.3 6.1 | 2,325 143 | 255
Ratescs= seen 13.77 7.32 1.88} 41.8 | 100.0 96 3.9 8.3 | 1,450 | 120 pA |
Rate bs eeese ee 22.30} 9.34 2.89 75.0-| 100.0 96 3.0 10.8 | 2,400 | 260 4.5
RatC eee Cae eee 24.82 | 8.01 3.02 | 58.0 | 100.0 | 96 3.5 9.3 | 2,050 190 | 3.3
suaiee eerie 2 ae 30.64 | 9.43 3,255|.. “AL S8- | 10050 96 3.5 5.5 | 1,450 80 | 1.4
1919 |
Rabeyl oe es sok oe 5.93 | 5.15 1.15 88.4 | 99.7 114 4.0 | 28.3 | 5,670 | 1,602 27.6
INStOo. seen ee 12.06 | 6.07 1.99 64.2 | 99.9 115 3.5 | 23.1 | 4,250 | 980] ~ 16.9
Rate Deen sete 18.08 | &69 2.11 76.9 | 96.7 117 3.3 | 24.9 | 3,500 870 | 15.0
Rate fc: aces ne 23.92 | 9.54 2.51 98.0 | 93.5 125 3.3 | 33.3 | 5,250 | 1,750 30.2
pede: O24 Ber ee 28.96 | 10.27 2.82 | 96.1 | 95.8 125 3.3 | 30.3 | 4,450) 1,350 23. 2
ate: ae. esos. 6.12 | 4.40 1.39 76.2 | 99.6 104 3.9 | 23.4 | 6,975 | 1,629 28.1
Mate: sees ss Ne 12.30 | 5.18 2.37 87.2 | 99.5 108 3.7 | 24.5 | 6,814 | 1,671 28.8
Rate 5232222 22 18.30 | 5.35 3.42 | 92.8} 98.8 111 3.8 | 22.5 | 9,129 | 2,057 35.5
Ratd sse-seee tees 24.18 | 6.93 3.65 | 96.4] 94.9 111 4.0 | 27.4 | 7,971 | 2,186 37.7
ee OFS ete 29.61 | 8.90 3.33 | 95.5 96.1 111 3.6 | 26.8 | 7,393 | 1,980 34, 1
Rated ce sles: 6.00 | 4.55 1.32 91.5 | 95.9 106 4.8 | 32.6 | 7,290 | 2,376 | 41.0
Rate dso 234. -28% £| 12.03 | 4.92 2.44 93.9 | 69.9 109 5.0 | 38.2 | 7,843 | 2,996 51.6
Ratebs cot aks 18.00 | 6.14] 2.93| 97.8) 57.8| 109 5.0 | 40.7 | 7,329 | 2,983 | 51.4
ATEN Sa ste>.. 6 oh 23.97 | 7.56 3 LT 29823 510 109 4.5 | 44.7 | 6,236 | 2,790 48.1
vate 9: eee 30.23 | 9.90 3. 06 98.9 | 44.2 109 4.3 | 44.3 | 5,657 | 2,533 | 43.7
5-year average, 1917
to 1921: |
Rates ee see | 7.20 | 5.44 1.39 | 76.2] 888 112 3.9 | 23.5 | 5,352) 15393 24.0
Re Sos sate 12.91 6.05 2:16.) 74.17 -84.2 113 3.7 | 23.3 | 4,991 | 1,361 | ‘23.5
Rater. eet 119.31 | 7.36 2. 82 86.5 | 80.8 114 3.9 | 25.2 | 5,552 | 1,528 26.3
Gt fase ese cass 24.38 | 7.97 Shall 87.3 | 78.4 116 3.8 | 28.1 | 5,211 | 1,617} 27.9
Rated ass ecee soe 29.54 | 9.39 3.16 | 84.0] 76.4 116 3.5 | 26.8 | 4,610 | 1,433 | 24.7
The percentage of grain in the total crop and the yields in both
pounds and bushels to the acre are given in Table 23. In grain yields
the different rates have varied greatly in any one year and even more
between years. In 1917 and 1918 rate 5, one plant to each 18 inches,
made the highest grain yield for the 44-inch rows. In 1919 and 1920
rate 7, one plant to each 24 inches, made the highest grain yield,
while in 1921 rates 3 and 5 made the highest yields.
Table 24 shows the annual and average acre yields from the different
rates of Dwarf Yellow milo in rows spaced 44 inches apart during the
5-year period from 1917 to 1921, inclusive. In this table the extreme
row space per plant for the five years is indicated. As noted, no one
rate of spacing has given the highest yields in each of the five years.
The best spacing between plants in the row must be determined from
the average yield for the period. Rate 7, one plant each 24 inches,
made the highest average grain yield for the five years, 27.9 bushels
to the acre. The next highest yield, 26.3 bushels, was produced from
what was intended to be the 18-inch spacing, but which actually
varied from 18 to 22 inches. The lowest average grain yield was
made by rate 3, one plant each 12 inches, with a 5-year average of
23.5 bushels to the acre. The 6-inch and 30-inch spacings yielded
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 5d.
slightly better than the 12-inch ones. With differences in distance
between plants varying from 6 to 30 inches by 6-inch steps, the
difference in the average yield between the spacings producing the
highest and the lowest yields was but 4.4 bushels per acre per year.
The difference between the high-yielding and the low-yielding rates
for the individual years shows the following: 1917, 7.4 bushels; 1918,
3.1 bushels; 1919, 15.2 bushels; 1920, 9.6 bushels; and 1921, 10.6
bushels. These differences between the yields of the rates in the
individual years are large and significant and are due to climatic
conditions affecting the various rates differently. Considering the
5-year average, a spacing of one plant to each 18 to 25 inches is to be
desired, though a thicker or even a thinner stand should not be
destroyed or lead the grower to resow.
TABLE 24.— Yields of Dwarf Yellow milo in rows 44 inches apart in the spacing experi-
ments at the Woodward Field Station during the 5-year period from 1917 to 1921,
inclusive.
| Yields per acre (58-pound bushels).
|
Row space per plant. ane l ;
Tet | = AVeIr-
| 1917 | 1918 ate: | 1920 | 1921 age.
CRED De DE ee a 1 20.9 | 2.5 27.6 28. 1 41.0 24.0
Leh, Lae OS a ne 3 L7<.9° | 7 en | LG, Seis 2858 51.6 23.9
oS ee ee ee 5) 025.3 | 0:4 5-b 15.02) 25.5) 51.4 26.3
a OT GAP DGS TS a el es ' 20. 2 3.3 30.2] 37.7 48. 1 27.9
Pe RIMES SOE oS Soo Seca bs san dase ss 9 21.0 1.4 2B. 2 S41 43.7 4,7
| | |
SECOND DIVISION, ROWS 88 INCHES APART.
The second division of these experiments differs from the first in
that the rows are 88 inches, or twice the distance, apart, and the
plants are twice as thick in the rows, giving the same number of
plants to the unit area as in the corresponding plats in the first
division.
Table 25 shows the data for Dwarf Yellow milo grown in rows
spaced 88 inches apart in the spacing experiments during the 5-year
period from 1917 to 1921, inclusive. In 1917 and 1918 the three
thicker rates were thinner than was desired, but during the last
three years the actual spacings between plants have been close to
the desired spacings. The two thinner rates in 1917 and 1918
were also approximately as desired.
The tendency of milo in thin stands to produce suckers is as
apparent when the rows are 88 inches apart as when the rows are
but 44 inches apart. The row space per plant for rate 2 averaged
3.62 inches, while that for rate 10 averaged 14.68 inches. The
average stalk space, however, was 3.24 and 5.78 inches for rates 2 and
10, respectively. As in division 1, the 44-inch rows, the number of
suckers per plant increased with the distance between the plants.
The percentage of erect heads varied from 100 per cent for all
except the thinnest rate in 1918 to less than 40 per cent for certain
of the thinner rates in 1917 and 1921. As a general average, the
milo in 88-inch rows had a lower percentage of erect heads than the
corresponding pee in 44-inch rows. This may be due to more
vigorous growth at heading time of the plants in rows 88 inches
apart than of the plants in 44-inch rows.
56 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
TaBLEe 25.—Data in the spacing experiments with Dwarf Yellow milo grown in rows —
88 inches apart at the Woodward Field Station during the 5-year period from 1917 to
1921, inclusive.
{In the statement of yields of grain per acre the bushel is rated at 58 pounds.]
|
Row space. Stalics Total | | Grain Yields per acre.
- rs eee | Stalks) Erect | prow-) 2 in |
Year and rate No. batt ‘headed. heads. ing | Height.) tora) Total
Plant.) Stalk. | P'@™"- period. | crop. ms Grain.
Ins. | Per ct.| Per ct.| Days.| Feet. | Per ct.| Lbs. | Lbs> | Bush.
4.03 1.24). 91.2) 44.9)- 139)] 3.0] 22.2123) 769 838 14.4
4.77 Jeol) 4 S8e34) . 5028 139 3.0 21.5 | 35656 788 13.6
4.92 |- 2:08 | 92.0} 45.2] 139|- 3.81° 28.4 | 3,600] 1,024 | 17.7
DOO), peso 91.3 |. 38.1 139 3.8,|- 2p. 1 403, 438 872 15.0
4.96 | 2.85 90.0) 37.9 139 3.5 | 27.2-| 3,870 | 1,053 18.2
3. 67 10 ol.1 100.0 96 238 | 15.0} 15238 186 3.2
5. 03 1262)" 81.3 | 10050 96 3.0 |- 30.0 | 1,744 523 | 9.0
5. 85 1.96} . 86.5 | 100.0 | 96 310° |, 214 26Is2 5138 304 | 5.2
8 9.99 | 2.05 70.4 | 100.0 | 96 3:0.) °15.2°| 4725 263 4.5
5 5:47 | 2°83 63.2 | 99.8 | 96 2.8 | 12:7 |-1,650 |. 210 3.6
Bate 2: ose 3.04. | 2.92] 1.04] 911) 99.9| 114 4.3] 31.5 | 5,006} 1,575| 27.2
Rate An 2-2 ».79 | 4.74 1.22 87.7 | 99:1.) - 195 405°) 37eL | 3, 1509] LE 170 20, 2
RateGss. 5a ee 8.97 | ..6. 80)) - 1.382 O65 i=!) 8436nh 9 17 3.8 | 39.1 | 3,600 | 1, 406 2A, 2
Rateses esos 11.61 | 6.54 1. 78 98.8 | 81.4 125 3.8 | 36.5 | 4,500 | 1,643 28.3
ae 1 Ou See ae T4519 | ATs}. 01.98 96.2 | 92.1 125 3.5 | 35.3 | 3,240 | 1,143 19.7
1920: |
Rate 2. tae a ie 3)06s\e92" Gp) |p te LG 91.9| 99.7] 99] 4.5] 27.1] 6,300] 1,710 29.5
Bate42 5. 6.05 |- 3.11] 1:95] . 94.0] 97.3] 108 4.3 | 31.2 | 6,356 | 1,980| 34.1
Reales ees a: 9.19 | 3.21 2.74 | 94.8 | 95.41]. 108 4.4 33.7 | 6,244 |. 2,104 36.3
Rates os... =< 12.32 | 3.90 | 3.14 K. Q8e0° |. 85.7 108 4.6, 34.3 | 6,469 | 2,216 38. 2
ae 10 14.50 | 4.66 | 3.11 95:6 || 9523 Tit: 4.3 | 33.6 | 6,300 | 2,115 36. 5
1921
1 Rta A 2 een a a re 3.00 | 2.91 1.03 96.8 | 93.8) 106 5.7 | 35.9 | 6,806 !} 2,441 42.1
Rate set ee ee. 6.03 | 3.75) 1.61 97.0] 51.4 109 5.6 | 40.2 | 6,919 | 2,779 47.9
RateGz.2 2s 9.00814. S75)" 1.97 99.1} 45.4 109 5.2 | 41:4 | 6,356-] 3,633 45.4
ALO See eae ee 12.00 | 4.7 2.51 98.6 | 34.8 | 109 5.2 | 42.9 | 6,188 | 2,655 45.8
Ratesoco: fa 15.08 | 6.66 | 2.26 98.9 | 48.4} 109 4.8} 48.0 | 4,815 | 2,313 39.9
5-year average, 1917 |
to 1921:
Rae oan sae Sx62 |) 3.2005 te 84.4 | 87.7 111 4.2 | 26.3 | 4,624 | 1,350 23.3
Rateacr ss tee 6.64 | 4.28} 1.58 SORTA MOS yk SAS 4.2 | 32.0) 4,365 1, 448 25. 0
Rates ose 9.77 | 5.07) 2.01 93.7 | 74.1 | 114 4.0 | 31.4 | 4,388 | 1,694 25.8
RateSier 2 nt sees 12.14 | 5.24 | 2.40 | 91.4] 68.0 115 4.1 | 30.8 | 4,463 | 1,530 26. 4
Rate 10. 2. See 14. 68 | 5.78 | 2.61) 88.8] 74,7) 116 3.8 | 3154-\23,975 1 Bom 23.6
The same correlation between stalks producing heads and yield of
erain is apparent in the 88-inch as in ae 44-inch rows.
The total crop yield varied from 6,919 pounds for the rate with
plants spaced 6 inches apart in 1921 to 1,238 pounds for the rate
with plants spaced 4 inches apart in 1918. These extreme yields of
total crop also produced the highest and the lowest grain yields,
respectively, though this correlation does not obtain throughout the
years and rates. The yields of total crop and grain are shown in
Table 25. The annual and average grain yields for the different
rates of spacing plants for the five years are given in Table 26 for
convenient comparison.
In Table 26 the extreme row space per plant for the five spacings
of Dwarf Yellow milo in rows 88 inches apart is indicated for the
5-year period from 1917 to 1921, inclusive. No one spacing gave the
highest yield for more than two of the five years. In 1917 the thin-
nest rate, one plant each 14 inches, made the best grain yield. In
1918 and 1921 the high grain yields were produced from plats with
the plants spaced 6 inches apart in the row, while in 1919 and 1920
the fit yields were from the 12-inch spacings. The average yields
from the different spacings show little variation for the 5-year period,
ranging only between 23.3 and 26.4 bushels. The highest yield was
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 57
produced from rows with plants 12 inches apart in the row, the
9-inch spacing ranking second, with an average of 25.8 bushels to
the acre. The lowest average yield was obtained from the thickest
rate. For dwarf milo in rows 88 inches apart the best distance
between plants appears to be from 9 to 12 inches.
TABLE 26.— Yields of Dwarf Yellow milo in rows 88 inches apart in the spacing experi-
ments at the Woodward Field Station during the 5-year period from 1917 to 1921,
inclusive.
|
| Yields per acre (58-pound bushels).
Row space per plant. | Bete | ji
seas ¢ , ver-
| 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 age.
2 CRED. 2 SS a ee as epee Ae 3.2 27.2 29.5 42.1 23.3
DOT EDS SE eee ee ee 4| 13.6 9.0 20. 2 34.1 47.9 25.0
RIE oe oS a FE sd cea 3 cn oe ae y Er 5.2 24.2 36.3 45.4 25.8
DY UE ELGS.. . -: 2 gee ee ee 8 15.0 4.5 28. 3 38. 2 45.8 26.4
0 18. 2 3.6 19.7 36.5 39.9 23.6
ll - ee 1
COMPARATIVE YIELDS FROM 44-INCH AND 88-INCH ROWS.
Table 27 shows the annual and average acre yields of Dwarf Yellow
milo in the spacing experiments, arranged so that direct comparisons
may be made readily between the rows spaced 44 inches and 88 inches
apart, containing approximately the same number of plants to the
acre. The spacings are arranged in five groups, each showing the
yields from one set of rows spaced 44 inches and one spaced 88
inches apart, the space between plants in the row in the latter being
half that in the former. The data given are the distances between
rows in inches, the approximate row space between plants, and the
annual and average acre yields for each spacing.
TABLE 27.— Yields of Dwarf Yellow milo in the spacing experiments at the Woodward
Field Station during the 5-year period from 1917 to 1921, inclusive.
Space
(inches) Yield per acre (58-pound bushels).
between—
Group and approximate number
of plants per acre.
Plants | A ver-
Rows.|inthe 1917. 1918 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | “Ve
age.
row.
d 44} 7.2) 20.9 9.5}. £276}: .28:1-| =44-0 24.0
cee 3 -- === { ss| 3.6| 144] 3.2} 27.2| -295] 42.1} 233
Soe® 44|- 13.0) 17.9 2.1) 16.9} 28.8 51.6 23.5
Group B, 11,000 plants. ...--.-.....-. { gs| 6.61 13.6| 9.0} 20.2| 341! 47.9| 25.0
é ‘ 44) 193{ 253] 45! 15.0] 35:5! 514] 263
Group C, 7,400 plants............-...- { 88 9.8| 17.7 5.21 24.21 36.3] 45.4 25.8
: “ 44| 24.4) 20.2 Say S621 37.7 {| 48:1 27.9
Group D, 5,900 plants..........-.-..- { g8 | 12.1 |--15.0) 4.5| 98:3]. 38.2) 45.8| 26.4
E , 44} 29.5| 21.0 Lay 93/2 | 34.1] 43:7 24.7
Group E, 4,500 plants--.-...........- { sg | 14.7] 18.2 3.6.|-19.7] 36.5| 39.9] 23.6
Group A shows the data for the thick rate, with an average of
approximately one plant to 7.2 inches of row space in rows 44 inches
apart and of one plant to each 3.6 inches in rows 88 inches apart, or
58 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
about 20,000 plants to the acre. The highest yield, 42.1 bushels,
from this rate was made in 1921 from rows spaced 88 inches apart
and the lowest yield, 2.5 bushels, from rows 44 inches apart in 1918.
The 5-year average yields for this rate are 0.7 bushel in favor of the
44-inch rows. The plats grown in 1921 from this rate in 44-inch and
in 88-inch rows are shown in Plate VI.
Group B represents an average stand of one plant to each 13 inches
of row space for the rows 44 inches apart and one to each 6.6 inches
for the 88-inch rows, or approximately 11,000 plants to the acre.
The 44-inch rows outyielded the 88-inch rows in but two of the five
years, 1917 and 1921, and the 5-year average yield is 1.5 bushels in
favor of the 88-inch rows. This is the only one of the five different
rates that gave a higher 5-year average yield for the rows spaced
88 inches apart than for the corresponding stand in 44-inch rows.
This spacing in 44-inch rows, 12 to 14 inches between plants, gave
the lowest 5-year average yield for rows spaced this distance apart,
in spite of the high yield made from this spacing in 1921. The
comparatively low yield from this spacing is associated with a low
percentage of stalks producing heads, which was especially noticeable
in 1917 and 1919. Observations in the plats showed that the plants
at this spacing had a tendency to produce one to two suckers to the
lant and that these suckers ordinarily were unable to produce good
hades In the thinner rates the suckers generally produced as good
heads as the main stalk, while in the thicker rate (one plant to each
7.2 inches) there were few suckers and the main stalk generally
produced a fair head.
Group C, with an average stand of one plant to each 19.3 inches in
the rows spaced 44 inches apart and one plant to each 9.8 inches in
the 88-inch rows, averaged approximately 7,400 plants to the acre.
In 1918, 1919, and 1920 the 88-inch rows outyielded the 44-inch rows,
but the 5-year avérage yield is in favor of the 44-inch rows by 0.5
bushel. This spacing produced the second highest average yields
from both the 44-inch and 88-inch rows.
Group D averaged one plant to each 24.4 inches of row space in the
rows 44 inches apart and one plant to each 12.1 inches in the rows 88
inches apart, or approximately 5,900 plants to the acre. In this rate
the rows 88 inches apart made higher grain yields in 1918 and 1920
than the rows 44 inches apart, but the 5-year average yield is 1.5
bushels per acre in favor of the rows 44 inches apart. This spacing,
approximately 6,000 plants per acre, made the highest 5-year average
yield in- both the 44-inch and 88-inch rows, indicating that it is near
to the best spacing for Dwarf Yellow milo under the conditions at the
Woodward Field Station.
Group E is the thinnest rate tried. An average of one plant to
each 29.5 inches of row space in rows 44 inches apart and of one plant
to each 14.7 inches in rows 88 inches apart was obtained, approxi-
mating 4,800 plants to the acre. In three of the five years the 44-
inch rows outyielded the 88-inch rows, and the 5-year average yield
from the 44-inch rows is higher by 1.1 bushels per acre. This spacing
of the plants, 30 inches and 15 inches in rows 44 and 88 inches apart,
respectively, is slightly too thin to enable Dwarf Yellow milo to re-
turn maximum yields under the conditions prevailing at the Wood-
ward Field Station.
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 59
These data indicate that Dwarf Yellow milo is a very adaptable
crop, giving an extreme difference of only 4.6 bushels in the average
acre yleld in the five years from stands varying from 20,000 to
4,800 plants per acre spaced in rows 44 inches and 88 inches apart.
In 1918, an unfavorable year, milo in 88-inch rows outyielded that
in 44-inch rows, and again in 1920 the 88-inch rows were slightly
better. In average yields for the 5-year period the 44-inch rows
lead except where the plants were spaced 13 inches apart, or approxi-
mately 11,000 plants to the acre. The best spacing is one plant to
each 18 to 24 inches in rows 44 inches apart or one to each 9 to 12
inches in 88-inch rows. These rates approximate 6,000 to 8,000
plants to the acre. There appears to be a slight disadvantage
rather than advantage in growing milo in 88-inch rather than in
44-inch rows.
SUNRISE KAFIR.
The spacing experiments conducted with Dwarf Yellow milo were
duplicated with Sunrise kafir. The object and nature of these experi-
ments have already been explained; hence only the results need be
considered here. ‘The data for the spacing experiments with Sunrise
kafir are given in Tables 28 to 32, inclusive.
TaBLE 28.—Data in the spacing experiments with Sunrise kafir grown in rows 44 inches
apart at the Woodward Field Station during the 5-year period from 1917 to 1921,
inclusive.
{In the statement of yield of grain per acre, the bushel is rated at 60 pounds.]
R ace. aa :
ow space hake Total at Yields per acre
- === wipes Se Stalks | grow- : —
Year and rate No. [ per | = Height.| in
feng | oe Be | crop. | Total
Plant. | Stalk. | P oat riod. | 1g Grain.
| crop.
1 | ]
1917: Inches. | Inches. Per ct.| Days. | Feet. | Per ct. |Pounds.|Pounds. Bushels.
12457) ae 7.21} 4:14 1. 74 94, 2 | 143 6.3 18.8 | 9,338 | 1,755 | 29. 2
RUG oo ee. 13.09 | 4.95 2.94 | 95.6 143 6.0 18.5 | 9,350} 1,730 28.8
LPs ae et 18. 40 5. 04 3.069 | -96.3 143 6.3 20.5 | 8,800} 1,800 30. 0
Bate fae <2 252. 24, 52 5.95 4.12 97.4 143 6.0 20.2 | 8,350) 1,690 28, 2
ae ee es, 28. 80 6. 66 4.32 96. 3 143 6.0 22.0 | 7,350 | 1,620 27.0
Rate se 5s. 8. 90 6. 82 1.31; 61.4 109 4,5 12.2 | 3,825 467 7.8
FeAtG ee oS ve: 2 2248 | 1.7 1.62; 66.5 109 | 4.3 14.5 | 4,000 580 Ce
Hate ses 17. 80 7. 32 2.43 | 61.1 109 4.3 11.7 | 4,350 510 8.5
Rate Teeee ced 23. 58 7.62 SESS: 74:4 109 | 4.3 14.4; 4,450 640 10.7
mine ae ae 29.34 | 10.96 2.68 | 84.8 109 4.5 15.8 | 4,000 630 10.5
Rates >: Ss sete: . 6.05 4. 86 122-1? 85. § 107 5.5 29.6 | 5,445 | 1,557 26.0
122 oo ee ee 11. 76 6. 36 1.85 | 78.4 107 | 5.5 32.9 | 5,050 ; 1,660 27.7
Be RR eae ee ee | 15. 96 8. 74 1.82! 88.9 110 5.0 35.2 | 4,200; 1,480 24.7
EON ey ee ee eee 23. 50 8.08 2.91 |. -91.5 110 5.3 | 31.1] 5,050 | 1,570 26. 2
wae eee | 29. 88 S05 3.29 | 96.8 110 5.95 34.1-| 5,450 | 1,970 32. 8
Kateieree. tics: 5. 94 4.07 1.46; 84.2 106 | 5.8 | 30.6] 6,300} 1,925 32. 1
Wj a Uy ae ea | 12.03 4,42 2.42 | Geek 108 5.5 | 29.7] 6,878 | 2,044 34.1
Abe ee eee 17. 92 5. 07 3.94 |. 92.7 108 | 5.7 31.6 | 6,428} 2,031 33.9
ate Py 9s 93.29 | 6.22| 3.751 96.1 0S |. 925.7 1 35.6!) 5,978 |-° 2,128 35.5
(an a. ioe ae | 99.12). 7.31| 3:99 | 98.3 108 5.9 | 36.2] 5,593 | 2,025 33.8
etree Sree 6.10 4.99} 1,22 91.8 109 6.6 34.1 | 6,705 | 2,286 38. 1
BRabe soe 5S 12. 00 9.92 | 2.03 89.1 iil 6.8 31.5 | 7,136 | 2,250 37.5
RACE Ie fe 2S... 18.00 | 6.95} 2.59 96.1 113 | 6.5 34.6 | 6,364 | 2,205 35.8
Lg C7 op eae | 24.52 | 10.67 2. 31 98. 0 113 6.3 33.3 | 5,657 1, 884 31.4
Hate gers - 7 = tI 30.00 | 12.84 2. 34 real 113 6. 2 35.0 | 4,693 ) 1,691 28. 2
5-year average, 1917
to 1921: |
Hed tate. | 6 34|. 498) 1:40-)> 83.5). 15/9) Siz] 25.11 6,323 | 1,598) 26.6
Meese ees. | 12.27 | 5.88 | 2.23) 83.3 116 5.6 | 25.4} 6,483 | 1,653 27.6
ea ao 17. 62 6. 62 2. 80 87.0 Ti17 5.6 | 25.7] 6,028 | 1,605 26.8
PEALG Ae tesa. itt 23. 88 CRIA 3. 24 91.5 117 5.5 26.9 | 5,897 1, 582 26. 4
abe OR 5. trees 29. 43 9.37 3.32} 94.7 117 5.6 28.8 | 5,417 | 1,587 26.5
60 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
FIRST DIVISION, ROWS 44 INCHES APART.
The data for Sunrise kafir in the spacing experiments with rows
44 inches apart are shown in Table 28. Five plats were grown each —
year, representing five different rates. The desired spacings for the
different rates were one plant to each 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 inches
in the row. As indicated by the row space per plant, comparable
stands were obtained in different years for all rates of spacing except
the thick rates in 1917 and 1918, when the row space exceeded the —
desired spacing by 1.2 and 2.9 inches, respectively.
The tendency in Sunrise kafir to produce suckers is as great as or
greater than in Dwarf Yellow milo. The greatest number of suckers
per plant in Sunrise Kafir in these experiments was in 1917 in the thin-
nest plat, which averaged 3.32 suckers for each plant. The minimum
number of suckers produced in these experiments was in 1921, when
the thick plat averaged 0.22 sucker per plant. As was the case with
Dwarf Yellow milo, the number of suckers generally increases with
the row space between plants.
The percentage of headed stalks varies considerably between rates
for any single year, but the relation between stalks headed and grain
yield is not as apparent as in similar studies with Dwarf Yellow milo.
The total crop yields have varied from 9,350 pounds per acre for
rate 3 (12 inches) in 1917 to 3,825 pounds per acre for rate 1
(6 inches) in 1918. Total crop yield and grain yield do not show
close correlation in the spacing experiments with Sunrise kafir. This
is indicated by the data on the percentage of grain in the total crop,
which varies greatly in different years and considerably as between
rates in the same year. ‘Table 29 shows the annual and average grain
yields from the five plant spacings with Sunrise kafir in rows 44 inches
apart.
TaBLE 29.— Yields of Sunrise kafir in rows 44 inches apart in the spacing experiments at
the Woodward Field Station during the 5-year period from 1917 to 1921, inclusive.
Yields per acre (60-pound bushels).
Row space per plant. ae | | | ] fi
cg 3 | | ver-
1917 | 1918 | 1919 1920 1921 age.
6:60:8.9 Ine@hesS 2. asec 2S ee eee 1 29.2 7.8 26. 0 Sy toil | 26. 6
12; tO. 13 inehes - . 35.5 5.28 eee ees 3 28. 8 Gey, PY ef S41 we oie 7.6
160 1Sinehess J os3-< Sls Soe ee ees 5 30. 0 8.5 24.7 3309-1) | 3628 26.8
23'60:.24 5:1Tehes 4.04. oe ee ee, ee is 28. 2 10.7 26. 2 | SHA, 31.4 26.4
29) Fos0.Mehes 2 2 Slee eee ee 9 27.0 LO: 5) Se 327885 ~Sdus | 28.2 26.5
| |
It is readily noted from Table 29 that the 5-year averages for the
five rates vary but little. The highest 5-year average, 27.6 bushels
per acre, was obtained from rate 3, one plant to each 12 to 13 inches,
and the lowest average yield, 26.4 bushels, from rate 7, one plant to
each 24 inches of row space. The difference in yields between
extremes was but 1.2 bushels per acre, or less than 5 per cent. One
interesting fact is that rate 3 made the highest 5-year average yield,
yet in the five years it never made the highest yield in any one year.
From these results no particular spacing can be recommended for
Sunrise kafir, though a spacing of one plant to every 12 inches will
give maximum returns of grain and total crop during a period of
Bul. 1175, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. PLATE VII.
a Pies fel
Se
TF: if ; i - . . = wha oe
EIEN Fg ed rE
Fic. I.—PLAT OF SUNRISE KAFIR IN ROWS 44 INCHES APART.
The plants in this plat were spaced 30 inches apart in the rows. The yield was 28.2 bushels per
acre. Photographed at the Woodward Field Station, September 6, 1921.
Fic. 2.—PLAT OF SUNRISE KAFIR IN ROWS 88 INCHES APART.
The plants in this plat were spaced 15 inches apart in the rows. The yield was 24.5 bushels per
acre. Photographed at the Woodward Field Station, September 6, 1921.
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA. 61
years. One fact to be emphasized is that Sunrise kafir has a tendency
to produce many suckers when the stand is thin, and this character
is doubtless the reason why the difference between the yields from
the different rates is so slight.
SECOND DIVISION, ROWS $8 INCHES APART.
Table 30 gives the data obtained from Sunrise kafir in rows 88
inches apart in the spacing experiments. Five plats were grown
each year, each plat representing a different rate. With the excep-
tion of the thick rate in 1918, the desired stands were approximated
in the different rates for the five years.
TasLe 30.—Data in the spacing experiments with Sunrise kafir grown in rows 88 inches
apart at the Woodward Field Station during the 5-year period from 1917 to 1921,
inclusive. :
[In the statement of yields of grain per acre the bushel is rated at €0 pounds.]
Row space. | Total ane | Yields per acre.
Stalks | q4.3,. a4 :
Year and rate No. per a ae Height. , ad |
Goa) plant. |-- | = x | Total | :
Plant. Stalk. period. ! 20m
| | |
: 44} 29.4] 27.0] 10.5! 328] 338] 282) 265
Group E, 4,800 plants.............--- { Seay ratte ter beng |.° aie [2 eaed.| tee7 fed SA Le
Group B has a stand of one plant to each 11.8 to 13.1 inches in
rows 44 inches apart and one to each 5.3 to 6.9 inches in rows 88
inches apart, or approximately 11,000 plants to the acre. It is
interesting to note that this spacing has made the highest average
grain yields in both the 44-inch and the 88-inch rows. The rows 44
inches apart have averaged 4.1 bushels per acre a year more than the
rows spaced 88 inches apart.
Group C represents a rate of one plant to each 16 to 18.4 inches
of row space in the 44-inch rows, or one to each 8.8 to 9.5 inches in
the 88-inch rows, approximately 8,000 plants to the acre. In the
five years the 44-inch rows have averaged 4.6 bushels per acre a
year more than the 88-inch rows.
Group D has had a stand of one plant to each 23.5 to 24.5 inches
im the 44-inch rows and one plant to each 11.6 to 13 inches in the
rows 88 inches apart, or approximately 5,900 plants to the acre.
At this spacing the 44-inch rows have averaged 3.7 bushels per acre
a year more than the 88-inch rows.
Group E is the thin rate of spacing. It has averaged one plant to
29.4 inches of row space in the 44-inch rows and one to each 14.8
inches in the 88-inch rows, or approximately 4,800 plants to the acre.
The plats grown in 1921 at these spacings are shown in Plate VII.
The 44-inch row plats have outyielded the 88-inch row plats by an
average of 4.8 bushels per acre a year in the five years.
These data show that the wide-spaced rows, 88 inches apart, have
outylelded the rows spaced 44 inches apart in but one year, 1918,
and in that year the difference was only from 0.1 to 3.2 bushels per
acre in the different rates in favor of the 88-inch rows. The 44-inch
rows have exceeded the 88-inch rows in average yield during the
5-year period by from 4.8 to 3.7 bushels for the various stands.
Considering grain yield alone, the 88-inch rows are not to be recom-
mended for Sunrise kafir under the conditions at the Woodward
Field Station. The best rate for Sunrise kafir is approximately one
plant to each 12 inches of row space in 44-inch rows. The extreme
difference obtained in spacing plants from 6 to 30 inches apart in
64 BULLETIN 1175, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
44-inch rows has averaged but 1.2 bushels per acre annually for the
5-year period, while the extreme difference in yield between the
various plant spacings in 88-inch rows has been only 1.6 bushels.
SUMMARY.
Cooperative experiments with grain sorghums have been conducted
at the Woodward Field Station since 1914. Results obtained during
the 8-year period from 1914 to 1921, inclusive, are reported in this
bulletin.
The average annual precipitation at Woodward, Okla., is approxi-
mately 24 inches. Duri ing the 8-year period under consideration the
extremes in annual rainfall were 13.68 inches in 1914 and 35.78
inches in 1915. On the average, 70 per cent of the annual precipita-
tion occurs during the six months from April to September, inclusive.
This distribution of rainfall is favorable for the production of annual
summer-growing crops, such as the sorghums.
Low yields of sorghums are due to periods of drought in July and
August rather than ‘to an annual or seasonal deficiency of rainfall.
Varietal experiments with representative varieties of grain sorghums
have been conducted during the eight years. Results for this full
period are reported for 15 varieties or selections of grain sorghums.
A number of other varieties have been grown for shorter periods.
Five varieties or strains of the durra-milo group have been grown
during the 8-year period. The average acre yields of these strains
are: Standard Yellow milo, 22.8 bushels: Standard White milo, 19.7
bushels; two selections of Dwarf Yellow milo (C. I. Nos. 332 and
359), 21.2 and 21.8 bushels, respectively; and feterita, 21.6 bushels.
Though the Standard Yellow milo produced an average of 1.6 bushels
and 1 bushel per acre more than the two Dwarf Yellow milos, the
latter are to be preferred for grain production, as their shorter stalks
permit easier and more economical harvesting.
Of the kafir group, six varieties or strains have been continued
during the entire eight years. These varieties, with their 8-year
average yields, are: Blackhull kafir, 16.8 bushels; Dawn kafir, 23.8
bushels: Sunrise kafir, 26.3 bushels; White kafir (C. I. No. 370), 17.5
bushels: White African kafir, 19.9 bushels; and Red kafir, 20.8
bushels. Sunrise is a midearly, tall, blackhulled kafir, and in the
varietal experiments has produced higher average vields of grain and
total crop than any other variety. In grain yield Dawn kafir ranks
second to Sunrise.
Three varieties of kaoliang have been grown during the eight years.
Their average grain yields are: Blackhull, 18.7. bushels: Manchu,
13.4 bushels; and V alley, 15.9 bushels. The Blackhull kaoliang is the
only grain sorghum tested in these experiments that has yielded
more than 10 bushels of erain in each of the eight vears.
Shallu during the eight years has averaged 15.4 bushels of grain
to the acre.
Darso, Schrock sorghum, and Dwarf hegari have been grown in
the varietal experiments for less than eight 7 vears.
In the varietal experiments, which have been seeded as near the
middle of May as conditions permitted, Sunrise and Dawn kafirs have
produced the highest yields of grain.
GRAIN-SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA, 65
Date-of-seeding experiments with Dwarf Yellow milo and Sunrise
kafir have been conducted for five years, 1917 to 1921, inclusive.
The two varieties have been seeded each year on six different dates,
representing the middle of April, the first and middle of May, the
first and middle of June, and the first of July.
The 5-year average yields indicate that Dwarf Yellow milo should
be seeded in June. The mid-June seeding made the highest average
yield, 33.4 bushels per acre; the June Fi seeding ranked second,
with 29.1 bushels: and that made on July 1 third “with 28.6 bushels
per acre. The mid-May seeding averaged 22.7 bushels per acre.
Sunrise kafir made its highest average yield from the mid-May
seeding, with 27 bushels per acre, the June | seeding ranking second
with an average of 24.7 bushels per acre.
Dawn kafir, feterita, and Blackhull kaohang have been included
in the date-of-seeding experiments for the three years 1919 to 1921,
inclusive.
The date-of-seeding experiments show that Dwarf milo seeded at
the proper date will “outyield Sunrise kafir when seeded at its best
date. The date on which the varietal experiments were seeded has
been about the middle of May, except in 1915. This date of seeding
has proved to be the best time for seeding Sunrise kafir, but is about
one month too early for maximum yields of Dwarf Yellow milo.
This accounts for the relatively low yields of the milos in the varietal
experiments when compared with Sunrise and Dawn kafirs.
Spacing experiments have been conducted with Dwarf Yellow milo
and Sunrise kafir for five years, 1917 to 1921, inclusive. Dwarf
yellow milain rows spaced 44 inches apart made the highest average
yield, 27.9 bushels per acre, with 24 inches of row space “to the plant.
In rows 8$ inches apart, the highest average yield, 26.4 bushels per
acre, was made by plants spaced 12 inches apart in the row.
With the Dwarf Yellow milo, the rows 88 inches apart with 6.6
inches between plants outyielded the corresponding rate, 13 inches
between plants in rows 44 inches apart, by an annual average of
1.5 bushels per acre. In the other four rates the 44-inch rows out-
yielded the 88-inch rows in the 5-year average.
Sunrise kafir produced the highest average yield, 27.6 bushels, from
plats with 12 inches of row space to the plant in 44-inch rows. With
Tows 88 inches apart the highest average yield for the five years was
23.5 bushels from plants 6 inches apart. Sunrise kafir, in wide-spaced
rows, 88 inches apart, does not yield as much grain or total er op as
in rows 44 inches apart.
ORGANIZATION OF THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Secretary of Agriculturts..:: 52-3 ae Ss Henry C. WALLACE.
Assistant:S cerefary jes site Set as C. “W.. PUGSLEY:
Diveciorof Scienttfie Worksciui } 263) fact See E. D. Batt.
Director of Regulatory Works csp 22 2st
Weather Bureau: 25%: tang eo laste cee ee ee CHARLES F. Marviy, Chief.
Bureau of Agricultural Economics. ........... HeENRry C. Taytor, Chief.
Bureau:of Animal: Industrys use Gee JoHN R. Mou.er, Chief.
Bureau ef Plant: Industry 42 ne pone Wituram A. TayLor, Chief.
Forest Samey:. TS eae oe a te W. B. GREELEY, Chief.
Burewu of Ghemistryi at sea ee WALTER G. CAMPBELL, Acting Chief.
Burecuoy Souls 8s eae Nese ae: Mitton Wuitney, Chief.
Bureau-of Eentomalogy ities 52h oe ee L. O. Howarp, Chief.
Bureau of Biological Survey... 222.222.2222 - 2.2 E. W. NEtson, Chief.
Buremt.of Publis Roads: 285-072 Ek: Tuomas H. MacDonatp, Chief.
Fixed Nitrogen Research Laboratory........-.- F. G. Corrrety, Director.
Division of Accounts and Disbursements.....-.. A. ZAPPone, Chief.
Dinsion of Baublications 25. 22920 22th EpwIn ©. PowE.L., Acting Chief.
EAGT ORY = Seti See os eet Le ep Aes CLARIBEL R,. Barnett, Librarian.
States welations: Services ast. oF ee ae A. C. True, Director.
Federal Horticultural Board.................-- C. L. Maruatt, Chairman.
Insecticide and Fungicide Board.............. J. K. Haywoop, Chairman.
Packers and Stockyards Administration......... CHESTER MorriLt, Assistant to the
Grain Future Trading Act Administration... .. Secretary.
Ofice-ofithe Solietior : 5-- i ves ik Sey Ayes ook R. W. WititaMs, Solicitor.
This bulletin is a contribution from
Burem of: Plant Industyijss 3 es os Bae Wirittam A. Taytor, Chief.
Office of Cereal Investigations. ........... CARLETON R. Batt, Cerealist in Charge.
66
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