Trial Objectives and Procedures

Performance trials for hybrid grain sorghum are conducted by the Oklahoma State University Extension each year. These trials provide producers, Extension educators, industry representatives and researchers with information about grain sorghum hybrids marketed in Oklahoma. Performance trials were planted at eight locations in 2025. All emerged and had decent early-season growth. However, due to dry conditions at planting, the Homestead location was terminated. Trials at Chickasha, McCaull and Goodwell were irrigated with overhead sprinklers. Yields presented in this document are for the early-, medium- and late-maturity hybrids for all locations. Most cultivars were grown at all locations. The location at Fairfax was conducted with a cooperator who had previously grown wheat, and the sorghum trial was planted as a double-crop system.

Grain sorghum hybrid trial entries were assigned by companies to their respective maturity groups: early (<60 days to mid-bloom (DMB)), medium (60 to 70 DMB) and late (>than 70 DMB). If a cultivar was exactly 60 or 70 DMB, previous years’ data was used to determine which maturity the cultivar fell into. Companies designated all hybrid characteristics and are presented in Table 1. This information was not determined or verified by OSU. Company participation was voluntary; therefore, not all hybrids marketed in Oklahoma were included in the trials.

In 2025, 35 hybrids were entered by five seed companies. For the hybrid performance trials, each maturity group was tested independently, with individual hybrids arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated at least 4 times. All locations were two-row plots with 30-inch spacing and 30 feet in length. Plots were trimmed to 25 feet prior to harvest. Tractor-powered cone planters were used to plant all trials, with seeding rates adjusted for the trial location. Trials were harvested with a Kincaid model 8XP plot combine.

Planting densities, cooperating producers, cultural practices, soil series, herbicides and insecticides used in all trials are listed individually in the result tables. Rainfall data from the nearest Mesonet sites are also listed. Some trials are long distances from the nearest Mesonet site; therefore, rainfall could be greater or less than reported.

Soil fertility practices will be discussed for each location, based on their yield tables. All applications were made in accordance with OSU Extension best management practices. Soil samples were collected in the winter and early spring prior to planting and submitted to SWAFL for analysis. All N, P, and K applications were made based on these results. Nitrogen applications were made based on a 120 bu/ac yield goal, except for Goodwell and McCaull, which were made based on a 150 bu/ac yield goal. At all research station sites, soil pH is managed to be suitable for grain sorghum production. Locations on growers’ fields are not as controlled; however, all locations this season were within reasonable limits (5.5-7.5).

Due to the variability between the study sites and growers’ fields across the state, discussions regarding growing conditions will be held for each location.

Results

Grain yields are reported in pounds per acre and bushels per acre of threshed grain, adjusted to a moisture content of 14% (Tables 2 through 21). Test weight is also reported in pounds per bushel. Different plant populations at each location prevent accurate comparison between locations. Also, comparisons across maturity were not conducted as they were treated as independent trials. Producers should note that late-maturing hybrids, due to longer periods of vegetative and early reproductive growth, will generally yield more than early- and medium-maturity hybrids. The availability of moisture at critical crop development stages, however, often influences yield more than the yield differences associated with maturity groups. When choosing a maturity group, the type of cropping system, planting date, planting rate and potential moisture should be considered. For more information, consult Fact Sheet PSS-2034, Grain Sorghum Planting Rates and Dates and Fact Sheet PSS-2113 Grain Sorghum Production Calendar.

Least Significant Difference (LSD) is a statistical test of yield differences and is shown at the bottom of each table. Unless two hybrids differ by at least the LSD shown, little confidence can be placed in one hybrid being superior to another, and the difference is probably not real.

The Coefficient of Variation (CV) is provided as an estimate of the precision of the data with respect to the mean for that location and maturity group. To provide an indication of yield stability, multi-year means for yields and test weights are provided for trials conducted for more than one year with more than three entries per maturity group. Producers interested in comparing hybrids for yield consistency in a specific area should consult these entries. Models with CVs greater than 25 have not been included in this report.

Acknowledgements

The financial support of the participating companies and the Oklahoma Sorghum Commission is gratefully acknowledged, as are the efforts and resources provided by the producer-cooperators, Jay Leeper and Brandon Keeler. The authors are also grateful for research support from Michael Pettijohn of SCREC, Mike Schulz of SWREC, Cameron Murley of OPREC and Kenneth Watkins of CVRS. We are also grateful for the help of County Agricultural Educators: Martha Keasler (Tillman County), Katy Hittle (Woods County), Hannah Hough (Tulsa County), and Kelly Burrows (Grady County), who generously gave their time to this project in 2025.

Figure 1. Departure from normal average rainfall in April 2025.

Figure 2. Departure from normal average rainfall in May 2025.

Figure 3. Departure from average rainfall in June 2025.

Figure 4. Departure from average rainfall in July 2025.

Figure 5. Actual measured rainfall in September 2025.

Figure 6. Departure from average temperature for the summer months (June, July, and August) in 2025.

Figure 7. Departure from average temperature in October 2025.

Dacoma

The Dacoma location was one of our first locations planted of the year. A timely rainfall event in late April provided sufficient moisture for herbicide activation and crop germination. However, most of the rainfall at this location during the early part of the season occurred before planting, and later in the season. Slightly stressful conditions were present in the early stages of the crop. Warmer daytime temperatures were present in both April and May, but nighttime temperatures remained relatively cool in April and were still adequate for planting. Early-season growth was relatively delayed during the first several weeks of the crop. Temperatures rose greatly during late May and remained high throughout the remainder of the summer. However, compared to the last couple of years, temperatures remained at or near normal levels throughout. Therefore, growth progressed efficiently, but the crop did not suffer from excessive heat until later in the summer. Moisture was much more sporadic with timely rainfalls that kept the crop from severely stressing to yield-limiting levels, but did stress. A lot of this changed during late July and early August. During this time, which is normally the state’s hottest and driest period, it was excessively hot and dry. This did lead to some yield loss. Later in the season, it was predicted that the crop would yield 10-20% higher than actual yields. These stressors during final grain filling and starch development typically do not significantly decrease yields, but they do reduce the top-end yield level of the crop. The grower and their field experienced the same issues. Weed pressure was very low for most of the year, with timely rainfall near planting helping control early-season weeds before the crop could establish and effectively shade out a large majority of major weeds. Insect pressure was also sporadic. Sorghum aphids were present during grain fill and early maturity. An application was to be made, but the population crashed before it could be applied.

Cooperator: Jay Leeper (Grower) / Katy Hittle (Extension Educator)
Tillage Practice: Conventional tilled
Soil Series: Mix of Grant silt loam and Waynoka loam
Seeding rate: 55,000 seeds/ac
Herbicide: Preemergence 2 qt/ac Charger Max ATZ +32oz glyphosate/ac
Fertilizer: N- 60 lbs/ac
Planting Date: May 5
Harvest Date: September 12