HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Staggenborg, S. A. Articles by Gordon, W. B. PubMed Articles by Staggenborg, S. A. Articles by Gordon, W. B. Agricola Articles by Staggenborg, S. A. Articles by Gordon, W. B. Related Collections Agroclimatology Economics Dryland Cropping Systems Sorghum Maize

DRYLAND CROPPING SYSTEMS

Grain Sorghum and Corn Comparisons: Yield, Economic, and Environmental Responses

Dep. of Agronomy, Kansas St. Univ., 2004 Throckmorton Plant Sci. Ctr. Manhattan, KS 66506, Dep. of Agric. Econ., Kansas St. Univ, 30742 Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506 and Dep. of Agronomy, Kansas St. Univ., 2004 Throckmorton Plant Sci. Ctr. Manhattan, KS 66506. Contribution no. 07-295-J from the Kansas Agric. Exp. Stn

^* Corresponding author (sstaggen{at}ksu.edu).

Grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is often grown where water stress is expected. But, improved drought tolerance in corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids has resulted in increased dryland corn production in preference to grain sorghum. However, grain sorghum may still have a yield advantage over corn in drought prone environments. This study was conducted to determine if grain sorghum has either a yield or economic advantage over corn when drought or temperature stress occurs. Yield and weather data from crop performance testing programs in Kansas and Nebraska (1992–2005) were analyzed. Grain sorghum produced higher yields than corn in environments where corn yields were <6.4 Mg ha^–1. When net returns ($ ha^–1) were considered for grain sorghum prices that were set at 70, 87, 100, and 117% of corn prices, grain sorghum net returns were higher than corn net returns when corn yields were 4.4, 6.6, 8.8, and 13.6 Mg ha^–1, respectively. Both corn and grain sorghum yields were positively correlated to June through August precipitation and negatively correlated to June through August maximum temperatures. The yield difference (grain sorghum minus corn) increased as July and August maximum temperatures increased. Monthly minimum temperatures affected corn yield less than grain sorghum yield. Producers in this region likely can minimize production risks by considering this historical yield information. At locations in this region where corn yields are consistently <6.4 Mg ha^–1, producers should consider producing grain sorghum.

All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Received for publication April 23, 2008.