"Weak neck" in sorghum
1938
Swanson, A.F.
Dwarf varieties of sorghum adapted to combine harvesting must have sturdy stalks and peduncles to prevent the heads from breaking over. Many selections, particularly from milo-kafir crosses, have shown high tendency for the production of weak peduncles. The term "weak neck" has been designated to describe this condition. The cause of the malady has not yet been determined. The affected tissues become disintegrated and so weakened that the heads break over. The break occurs most frequently at the base of the peduncle. The sorgos and strains of Blackhull kafir show high resistance to "weak neck," while the milo and milo derivatives having milo characteristics often show high susceptibility. "Weak neck" is not yet of wide occurrence on farms because the varieties grown are for the most part resistant to the disease. The distribution of varieties susceptible to "weak neck," however, will increase the prevalence of the disease. Late planting on a well-prepared seedbed tends to reduce the prevalence of "weak neck" in susceptible varieties. More complete control may be expected from plant breeding methods.
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