Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. fT Pim => , Pp ane - = °. ay ae RD von i a Bf Pere we ¢ bf, asl f) =~ te et a8 to hx i bia A z 5 We aye ea , ae sf ic wat 3 ee } *: Ve a 7 9} ft _ ty Le a Fors = 4 - \ a * \ im a 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 l Grant | ; = ! oO Tas O. 15870" th BAe jo RAY FORD +---4 MILLS I a | , FRAY | L Sg ARSON ebeecicaa ar SO IcOLLINGSWoRTH® Ts I Eas 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: _ lo ee ee bee ee ee Sap 3) O08 i elo. ose beet eee ee 2 8.5 StS ee eS eee eae Tut Sg epee tel te joeseas lEsaeSs BASRS4 PS AEH seosSa eSo-52 ++ LS eee ee bese A ei 5S ae Ree eee een Pema! Pace ers) pete S re _- (Si dete Rs Beet Re Pass Re ee |" areas Baa eae: hate TF ky Reaping |i leh hed - = Si ae ge 0.04 T “i. | Neon PAS eS O54 fives: -ele eee 25) Teak BS eee ieee gS ae Se egies fee} eae nee cA Ty Cee 0227) | ee “lo: 5.3 ES Ses Rees Bs ee pees eee [esses eames cteoe oOfe) 3. Soo ics Slee aes Clot 2 2 =e eS ee eee Sees eee ee eee ene ete Pern, Poet oss ee - os. yo tS ee ei eee Eee eee Pe Ses eS eels wnat pales for oh ee Nee & “lone aoe SL ES REE ed EA Ee Sy eee idieiaies ey a wei on Mere can De Te a ee Be Ee ee pati ar. Node oo Steer [eee O08} 22 Gh ti esas ely 2 eee ae rj nee areal (Erie Oe Peek Lae Ot) css ee i ee 2 et 2 ee Be Soy ee Se is oe AS Ral pe A Posieee. a epee ae Seek a5 ae PaaS. | en Le Ee ae a Ee ee ee ee pee Ree eee AS ee | ated eee pam E™ _- ac is Diet Bie ee ee woes eet VAL GL te eee i ye Pani ee cha |e athe oe BA Sm __. 2. oS See Ses are ele Rat +2 as ay eats anaes Peay ec EE eee _ Ee ae 2g hee 17) Mise fe eet ee Se ek Meee eee _ ie ee .12 Es yg Re eee ee a pe a eee eee _: lL Sty ee ae ee Serres erie Ac ts Ser Shee, | eee pent eee a 2 aoe TR pees Re - ieiey SOR |e hol need Wie noes Petes Ethene, Cleat aa) 5 ais -SOsie’ Dias eae “US eo, Sy ceed ee ae ‘Otelta ee ee ae ee 2 ne) BE Se Me ee eed se ole 2) ee eS So ee ipo FS 26 Ss Bee ESE eee = Se ale ee Ai eye ems aS > SA eee Bid edt ge (oa SERS pa aie La 22 sh BAe eee BG ee an ee PORT oo. en teh ee os os 22 Se ieee Pee eee Que) ee ee Bee ad eels S08 fh oSe ee SSS ee ee eee oe OE Se ee ee ee ees eos Eee ie ee =~ 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 =) eee cee . a aes ce el" ee ee ee COG SS ee Yh Grae = Las. Se tee Ree eis RS eer 7 oe eee Baa (lA Rees (Oe: Ee DN A ie > Ss). [eR el Se ae ee pg ee ea Pes JS acai a et ae iota PS at per 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 lL Se 2 Se eee 5 AS, eee i 2G sk Sere Ls el Ne LS nei pI rae ee See GE Ae 2 ee 09 oe seme ohana Bree ee We =< hh ie ee te Sue Se aa pt Se ee ae vB Be Na) at ed ee 2 ik ee eee eae “02: |=. eee fae | T 7 | 4.10 Ot). 16*|.~ 3) a 3s ee ES ll Se age anes “Sone SR Sa es oe Ce eres, Seen Mereeiney Stale ar tel ees oo |S Ne 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 - Gs at ie ae EP) Bi are Sen eae ee it SHR 2 eee O50. - .. Nos eee +: Sepa aS “2h 2y U8 ee 2 Se cree eee ee Pee 5) Eas eee ae Se fee epee es yak SS Bok Be ee eee Pic eee | eee eae eae a a Qa EON BESS S a ae SE UE ety va) eevaien Mea aig tate Mew 8 2S Gel or oe ghee Re ee ia Sb me ie Be ae pp eee A 1h pay) RS Some er os : ee ae eee we ee A eS LST ae Sees A 9a Mec, ee Sa ee . See 2 3 Ls Se eae Ep eed Oe ie aes Min oe PRs a ees ee Rae 2S 2S re ee eS ESS SESE: ll 7 BN a a ae PR PL RY Eee re ass ee ie eS Ses ee eee ee Bia oe Mer a ieee ey Rs AE ad IS 1 Se Fee 39 US gk ee ioe eee oh hee |S eee os ES OIG a So-) nm 2ok love Foe ef oe Sie oF Sie ean ees ae ch es a ae Se Wh weg 5 lea os Ae 2 es See i= 2 est Hy ES [RET Sy eee en aa Po re ince es A ee i oan Ry RE ES

> Sey 1 pl irl Pe A aa CES OE Sa) anion ad OSES ES ee (el 42° | 290 eae 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. 2 oo SS ee ee iets tact See ee 6: Shab Se Mid lee 9: 0. OF. |: shee oes ia ee 293-10 - cae BG 12. I ees ot Pet eter Ne NG gi Nene (Pa ry © ot nave ee ae fe ee eG El SRS, ip (ae ae (ene a Degen eat ie O62) 22 Se “Soe See eS eee Rai ry | eae Fig eee eet pete Re eee ria eee e30) Oia tae 2 eee 2) ae Ris oe at Hee Opener is bre? Fd Fe: alee OR Nites: Be eae ee A] Sete Se eee Meet. #8 he 528 = SU) EO ES Sara J IS ce ge] (Oe a (eer FO ebay eee gpd Peer sce fe Seek LR Se aa sae Gilt: wie. ore pans eee a Eee (ees 1266.14. ee La ing. ae Ras (See Se Mee aWEee = =) Daa CEOoee 2-26 [ee Meena BOF | Fo SS Se ead ag ee eas ees Mee pee SOL” acs cel ee AES A eee eee Dees is oie aS AE pe eens eee TDF ioe Senshi es pe Steer een | ee | ee o> (2 eee eee Faerie eee oe 2 oe ee See SIS) (25. 265 (See ee _ 2S ee ee : eh SK eee [RC S78 eee een MOG:1G-2 DA te Se a |iotes Ta oa 2) 2 ae oe ae og es ee | 2 15 i cae ee PRRESEgaE R Satge eeriinc, REE Sed RM jerticc [Se eae Ces ee nh \e [Poe SECM bry (2 Mis ine) a el RNa Fie Bie cael RF ha 8 FS ee | oir, oe rece. Cy a Rete od ete 5 peed Mes CMR WONT Se | wh ee ee a ee ee |g Se af REE SS, RR) eae ee Pine Oey ee a Rapes oa aupmeentinees = fa. EAS pie Coe ee SIS £4 Sele | eee | ae eae Teisk = <=... 1.60} .29 | 2.09 | 2.22} 4.00 | 1.91 | -.73 | 1.35 | 1.24 | .3.35.| 1.58] 2.92]. 23.28 1919: | | | te ae wet See | Oe ie Zh SIG AS Sue eel eka clh nl [ee eae Llu ca ho Sel ae ee PRE ile akt Peel ote clos, |S (Celene eS SMR Soe iia eae eee 5 ee Me Ee Re eee [sees Be 4a sete Saas Bee ae a eek see | ee [eee a eee al ee ae aves, Ofsted se ale eee albert aoe gs SS ae Til aoe Aes ane eee Bee GCS SS es ee OSS cs. G a aes Ba > pg a le pas eS Cs ere 322) Sea Ree ee Pay co) eee ee ISIE whe cl ee ei ee igs ea ee Se 33 ee ele Sarl a. 2r xi eee Gs en es Sama) a ea ee ee ee TR Ge al CR (OR a CS ee | cee Meal A | ee oad eee Se ee pe aaa | ee Sea fo SO dS oe, | 2 5) ae a eae es OA tO. ose coe 2 Oe eee ESR eS beeen ees a bem Sy TS ll (eR Reape T De (es dio ee earn (A teat et eae jt Se PT eS eae “¢ See Bes eee ey eee | . 06 ol oh TES See hk i ee (ae oh ene Ve ee le |e a _ iA oe ee eo eee Se ee Bae i aa See oe ie | ee aE a ae ee see “D255 Bes of Sa ea eee FOS Ne ssc er Bey a Renee fone CU ae RA eae ena ae 2 SEE SS PEE ne Set eee asOal Salioy ih regetl ewe ly 2 Naa | Se a apie [Eee ee 2 eee ae ee Rg oeaates aeets cig Or (ee, LOL So ae ek. Soe ee 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 ; -poo Ay oy} ye poydeisojoyg ‘olov aod spoysnq ogg popyord yeid sty, “(1L ‘ON ‘| ‘O) Yl4vVoM TINHNOVIG JO LV1d W—'S ‘DI “1Z61 “9 doquroydog “UOT}RIS P[oly PIBAPOO AA oy ye poydeisojoyg ‘ote aod spoysnq g'ze popyporA yerd sry, “(L69 “ON "1 °O) ONIN SLIHM JYVMQ AO LW1d V1 ‘O14 a Tw pom, Ray ro i Ok wtly af oe . , 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 ee eee ee ooo — eee aaa a oOo eee eee eee—e—e—e—s=soao en» OS eeeonna_0qw"w{_aw_—_—_ Sosa — «sw—<«=«=—am—s===™—9—' PEATE riculture. o his: UO Sx Dept of A Bul. 1Z6l ‘9 doquriojdog ‘U0T}RIG POLY PABMPOO AA OU} 1B poydeisojoyg ‘aloe aod spoysnq egg pepyelA UOTeTOS JAVBMP Of} PUB ‘alow JOd spoysNg L°6E PopyeTA WOTJo[os ][e} oy, (99S ‘ON ‘| 'O) YldVM NVOIYSY ALIHM—'S ‘DIA -poo A 04 18 “T1261 poyde ‘Od 180! oqureyd oud ‘Ol yB 19d ST 09 ‘UOTNRIS Poly plwVmM oysngd Z'GE Popol’ yt “YlIdVy ASIYNNS SAO LV1d V—'| ‘DIA C aL ae Mis ets ll a A * * {d sTY \ L 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. “1Z6L ‘9 doqureydeg ‘U0T}RIS P[ElY PIVBMPOO AA ayy ye poydeisojoyg ‘aloe Jod spoysnqd [Zp SBA\ pp oy “SMOL OY} UT ede soyouT ¢g pooeds oom etd sty} UT syuRTd oy, “LYVdV SSAHONI 88 SMOY NI OTIIA) MOTISZA SAYVMQG AO LV1d—'S ‘SIs —— *TZ6T “9 toqureydog ‘UOT}RIS POLY PLVAPOO A oy} 3 poydeisoj0yg ‘aloe J9d sfoysnq [Pp Sem pyTeIA oy, “SMOI OY) Ul 4aede soyouTt g pooeds o1oMm yeid sty} ut syuetd oy, “LYVdVW SAHON] br SMOYW NI OTIW MOTISA SAYVMG SAO LV1Id—']| ‘SIA E : a 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 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE PROCURED FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON, D. C. AT 15 CENTS PER COPY PURCHASER AGREES NOT TO RESELL OR DISTRIBUTE THIS COPY FOR PROFIT.—PUB. RES. 57, APPROVED MAY 11, 1922 a) oad ee