Sorghum Essay

Introduction

Sorghum bicolor (L.), often referred to as grain sorghum, is a grain of global importance (Anderson et al. 1949), because it is a rich source for food, feed, and fuel (Wang et al. 2008). Sorghum ranks fifth in the world for produced cereal crops. In areas that are frost-free, grain sorghum is a very important and economical crop. Sorghum was introduced in North America from the tropical regions of Africa in 1853. It is a very hardy crop that can grow in very tough environments. Sorghum is mainly planted in regions around that world that experience hot and dry conditions. In areas where corn is not very adapted, sweet sorghum is often a better alternative renewal fuel source (SSEA 2014). Sorghum acres have increased over the past 50 years, and the worldwide area of sorghum being planted has risen to 66% (Stroade et al. 2013). The southern US sorghum production often has damage occur from the sorghum headworm complex that consist of two larval pests that included: the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea, and the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Teetes et al. 2000).

In parts of the Southern United States, the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), often can be observed infesting grain sorghum that was planted later than normal. The infestations occur during the vegetative stages of development (Gardner et. al 1983). In North and South America, the fall armyworm is highly distributed (Sparks 1979). In crops such as cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), corn, (Zea mays), and many pasture grasses, it is considered an important pest and often needs to be controlled. Infestation during mid to late whorl stages can reduce grain yield, increase tillering, and decrease plant height (Henderson et al. 1966). Feeding injury fr...

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...worms. When the field reaches heading, using the beat-bucket method on 100 plants is the best strategy to check sorghum for the headworm complex (Catchot et al. 2014). Controlling fall armyworms requires consistent timely scouting methods when the sorghum is in the late flowering to soft-dough stages. Treatment is only advised if plants average 75 to 100 percent infestation (Catchot et al. 2014). Timing of foliar applications is important to make when larvae have just hatched, before entering the whorl, or when the threshold is met when applying the beat-bucket method. This will ensure the cost of the insecticide application will be economically sound and benefit the producers yield at harvest. Further research may be needed in order to evaluate if current thresholds are correct. Thresholds may need to be adjusted in order to better benefit producers economically.