Heat-Tolerant Grain Sorghum Thrives in Kansas Despite Record Warmth in 2024

Grain sorghum is known for its heat tolerance, which proved beneficial in 2024. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, Kansas experienced its second warmest year in the past 130 years, with an average temperature of 57.5°F, 3.4°F above normal. Despite this, Kansas State University assistant agronomist Jane Lingenfelser reported that grain sorghum yielded an average of 65 bushels per acre, 13 bushels more than the previous year.

While stalk rots were an issue in some areas due to the hot, dry conditions, Lingenfelser noted that these conditions weakened the sorghum plants. The K-State crop performance testing program showed that lodging was common in the 2024 trials. Chinch bugs, especially in the western part of the state, also caused problems for developing seedlings and stands, migrating from wheat fields during early dry weather in mid-April to mid-May. Although sugarcane aphids typically affect sorghum in the summer, no significant problems were reported in 2024. Timely rains, especially late in the year, helped ensure the overall success of Kansas’ grain sorghum crop.

Some of the K-State testing locations in 2024 included:

• Belleville (Republic County) yielded an average 126 bushels per acre, after reporting a complete loss the year before.
• Manhattan (Riley County) yielded 113 bushels, up 17 from the previous year.
• Ottawa (Franklin County) yielded 125 bushels, down two bushels from a year ago.
• Hays (Ellis County) yielded 82 bushels, up 56 from last year.
• Assaria (Saline County) yielded 48 bushels, after reporting a complete loss the year before.
• Hutchinson (Reno County) averaged 118 bushels, down two from last year.
• Larned (Pawnee County) yielded 56 bushels, down “quite a bit from last year,” according to Lingenfelser.
• Colby (Thomas County) yielded 103 bushels, down about 30 from the previous year.

A full list of K-State’s grain sorghum variety trials is now available online through the Department of Agronomy. Results from Kansas trials with corn, soybeans, sunflower, and wheat can also be accessed on the site. The annual crop reports will soon be available online at the K-State Research and Extension bookstore. These reports will include the top-performing varieties in each region of the state.

Source: KCLY