It has been postulated that water regime was the major operative factor responsible for different yield response of dryland grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] to different planting dates. Our research was done in order to appraise this postulation. For four consecutive years, four grain sorghum hybrids were planted on two planting dates (March 20–24 and April 12–16) in Israel under conditions of limited water supply as determined by the amount of stored soil moisture prior to planting. Vegetative development, grain yield, and soil water extraction profiles were determined. Early planting, as compared with late planting, increased grain yield through increased tillering and greater weight per grain. During the period from emergence to 51 days, early planted sorghum used about halt as much water as late-planted sorghum. Early planted sorghum was less water stressed, as evidenced by lower leaf diffusive resistance prior to heading and smaller reduction in LAI (leaf desiccation) after heading, as compared with late-planted sorghum. Lower water use in early planted sorghum, during the period prior to heading, was ascribed to lower potential evapotranspiration, smaller LAI, and possibly slower root development, as compared with the respective period in late-planted sorghum. Total amount of water used at maturity did not differ between planting dates, apparently due to the longer period of growth and the larger amount of stover dry matter per plant in early planted sorghum, which served to offset the decreased water use during the earlier phase of growth. No appreciable differences were found between hybrids tested in terms of adaption to early planting or water use.

The effects on sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, ‘RS 626’] stand of alachlor [2-chloro-2',6'diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl) acetanilide] and acetochlor [2-chloro-N-(ethoxymethyl)-6'-ethyl-o-acetotoluidide] were studied with and without 1,8-naphthalic anhydride as a seed protectant. If sorghum could be protected from injury from these acetanilide herbicides, they could be used for the control of seedling johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L). Pers.], which are serious weeds in this crop. It was concluded that, under the conditions of the test, the anhydride seed treatment provided little protection and the anhydride alone was as injurious to the sorghum as herbicidal rates of the herbicides.

This study was conducted to examine the relative amount of bird resistance present in a broad spectrum of available sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] since bird resistance is highly desirable for inclusion into plant breeding programs. Ratings were taken on damage inflicted by natural populations of birds and on several plant characters, including tannin content of the seed, color of the seed, and plant height. The bird damage done to 142 domestic and exotic lines of sorghum revealed the presence of germplasm imparting resistance to birds: SPI 35038 had a low damage rating (2.5); lines SA 370 and Colby had a high damage rating (9.0). Some commercially available sorghum hybrids also appeared to have resistance. The amount of tannin in the sorghum seed was negatively associated with bird damage, as were seed color and plant height, although to a lesser extent. The amount of tannin and seed color showed a positive correlation. Nevertheless, several sorghum lines appeared to be resistant that contained a relatively low amount of tannin.

Yield probabilities were calculated for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] grown continuously and in rotations under dryland conditions on the Texas High Plains. The probabilities were calculated using the gamma function technique on data from three rotations (or cropping systems) of a 36-year dryland study conducted at Lubbock, Texas during the period 1914-1949. Differences in yields between rotations were also tested for statistical significance. The mean lint yield of the continuous-cotton cropping system was 19 kg/ha greater than that of the cotton in the cotton and grain sorghum rotation, but this difference was not statistically significant. Also, the shape parameter estimates (“g” values) for these two rotations were the same. Therefore, calculated yield probabilities for them were essentially equal. Yields of dryland cotton should exceed 150, 250, 400, and 600 kg/ha approximately 30, 50, 25, and 10% of the time, respectively. The mean yield of grain sorghum grown in rotation with cotton was significantly higher than that from the continuous-grain sorghum cropping system. Also, the “g” value obtained from the rotation was slightly higher than that obtained from the continuous-grain sorghum cropping system. Therefore, the grain sorghum yield for a given probability level will be higher in rotations with cotton than from a continuous cropping system. A dryland, continuous-grain sorghum cropping system should produce yields exceeding 750, 1,200, 2,000, and 2,750 kg/ha approximately 70, 50, 25, and 10% of the time, respectively. Slightly higher, yields can be expected when grain sorghmn is grown m alternate years with cotton. Also, l0 to 20% higher dryland yields can be expected if hybrids are substituted for open-pollinated varieties.

Soybeans (Glycine max L.) for grain and sorghum (Sorghum vulgate L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) for both grain and silage were planted in late June and in July following winter barley (Hordeum vulgate L.) to evaluate these crops in a double cropping system in eastern Virginia. Soybeans have been widely grown after barley in that area. Production and harvest costs were estimated and net returns were calculated from these estimates and the values of the crops produced. Grain yields were obtained over a 2-year period. Both mid-season and late maturity soybeans produced crops of satisfactory quality each year. Early or very early maturity sorghum and maize hybrids were planted and appeared to be satisfactory for grain when planted in June but one July planting was severely damaged by an early frost. When the June plantings were harvested for grain, the net return from maize was significantly greater than from either sorghum or soybeans. Soybeans, however, appeared to be more dependable than maize or sorghum for grain if planted in July. Maize and sorghum silage yields were obtained the second year of the experiment. Net returns from both Crops for silage were consistently greater at each date of planting than from any grain crop. All but one of the differences were significant. Net returns were greater from sorghum silage than from maize at each date of planting and the difference was significant for the July planting. Better adapted strains of all three crops are needed for use in a double cropping system.

A Bolivia silt loam soil was spring plowed in 1969 and pieplant treatments of trifluralin (a,a,a-trifluoro-2, 6-dinitro-N, N-dipropyl-P-toluidine) were incorporated with a power rotary tiller operating 2.54 cm and 10.16 cm deep and with a disk-harrow operating 7.62 cm and 15.24 cm deep and planted to soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Soil samples were taken at three intervals following application at 0- to 5.08, 5.08- to 10.16; and 10.16- to 15.24-cm layers of the soil profile. These soils were analyzed for trifluralin and were used for a plant bioassay using a sorghum-sudan hybrid. The field plot area was divided into three sections with each section divided into a disked and a plowed area, and was planted to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Depth of incorporation did not affect total amount of trifluralin remaining II months after application but did affect concentrations at different intervals in the soil profile. Trifluralin carryover injury to corn, grain sorghum, and wheat occurred on field plots.

Pearl millet[Pennisetum typhoides (Burm.) Stapf and E. C. Hubbard] grain is equal or superior to grain of wheat (Triticum aestium L.), corn (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench), and rice (oryza sativa L.) in protein and oil content. It contains similar amounts of Ca and P and more Fe than these cereals. Except for a lysine deficiency, pearl millet has an excellent amino acid profile. Limited genotype assessment suggests that protein and lysine content of pearl millet can be improved by breeding. The starch properties of pearl millet, sorghum, and corn are similar. Pearl millet oil contains more palmitic, stearic, and linolenic and less oleic and linoleic fatty acids than corn oil.

The prolamines of grain sorghum have the unique property of forming gels at low protein concn. in a variety of solvents. Differences in the solubility properties and amino acid composition of prolamine fractions are described, and evidence is presented to show that protein from sorghum prolamines undergoes noncovalent interaction even in such solvents as 6M62 guanidine hydrochloride. [See also FSTA (1970) 2 12M1189.]

Starch granules from stems of mature corn (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) plants were about a third as large as average granules from endosperm tissue of the same species and contained only 1/3 to 1/2 as much amylose. The stem starches had lower gelatinization temperatures and gave C X-ray diagrams instead of the A diagram typical of normal cereal endosperm starches.