Fertilizer management for high yielding grain sorghum Nitrogen is the main building block of plants and is used to make amino acids, proteins and then biomass. 3. Growers should consider applying no more than 50 percent of the anticipated needed nitrogen as a preplant application and then adjusting the remainder of the nitrogen applied to meet the anticipated yield potential as the season progresses. In all situations, a nitrogen credit should be given for residual nitrogen in the soil (from soil test), nitrogen content in irrigation water, and nitrogen contribution from a previous legume crop or applied manure. Soil tests should be taken to determine what kind and amounts of fertilizer should be used. nitrogen/acre from previous manure application.Actual rate = 110 x 1.2 - 40 -15 = 77 pounds actual nitrogen needed. Failing that, research at Kansas State University shows that sorghum requires 1.6 pounds of nitrogen per bushel of expected yield, assuming 2.0% organic matter. Soils testing in a medium or higher range for potassium (K) generally do not show a yield response to added potassium fertilizer. Nitrogen is particularly needed on most soils and exerts the greatest effect on yields. Sorghum-sudan grasses can grow in a wide pH range with 5.5-7.5 as the optimum. The yield goal needs to be realistic, taking into account moisture, soil type and cropping sequence. Grain sorghum requires approximately 1.2 pounds of nitrogen for every bushel produced. If a grower wants to produce a 100-bushel sorghum crop, the grower must support this yield goal with a supply of adequate nutrients, including phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfur and potassium. For information about horticultural recommendations please email Ward Upham. Adequate nitrogen must be present to support this rapid growth period. Approximate quantity of nutrients in a 100 bushels per acre sorghum crop, Source: Adopted from National Plant Food Institute. Fertilizer recommendation (Yield goal – soil test value) 1. All Rights Reserved. Economic information is collected on each CGSRVP Potassium In most U.S. soils,potassium is available in adequate supply for the needs of sorghum. EC 750 Original Authors: 2005 – Jim Gerwing . Assistant Professor & SDSU Extension Soil Fertility Specialist. After each cut, 50 kg/ha (45 lb/ac) more nitrogen should be applied to encourage growth. Some states now suggest taking a soil sample to a shallower depth for no-till. fertilizer dollars in sorghum is from N and P. • Sulfur becoming an issue on some soils. For a grain yield of 7,500 pounds per acre, sorghum needs approximately 25 inches of water during the growing season. | Tags: agronomy library, sorghum management, sorghum, grain sorghum, fertilizing, By Brent Bean, Ph.D., Sorghum Checkoff Agronomist. Under irrigated conditions, irrigation water can supply much of a crop's sulfur needs if irrigation water contains sulfates. Follow soil test recommendations to determine nutrient needs and fertilizer recommendations. Do not place urea or ammonium thiosulfate in direct contact with the seed. Sidedress nitrogen should be applied by the time sorghum reaches the five-leaf stage. Application methods include preplant broadcast or banded as a starter at planting time. 3. Multiply ppm ammonium nitrogen (from your lab report) by 2.7 to get pounds of ammonia N in an acre foot of pond water. Soil sampling and analysis are critical for this determination and will prevent both the overapplication and underapplication of fertilizer. Fertilizer nutrient needs for grain sorghum are based on expected yield, nutrient levels in the soil and fertilizer-nitrogen costs. He currently serves as a Technical Product Manager and is involved in sorghum production with growers in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The effect of starter fertilizer is most often observed on grain sorghum in areas where nights are cooler. Potassium is sometimes promoted as a stalk strength or standability-enhancing nutrient. If the phosphorus level in the field is low, starter fertilizer is an excellent way to get the phosphorus … A multiple-applicationplan is particularly important on sandy soils where preplant nitrogen can leach out of the sorghum root zone following heavy rains. Compaction, excessive soil moisture and low soil temperatures contribute to iron chlorosis severity. Fertilizer or manure ammonia is converted to nitrate only after it is applied to the field. Sulfur incorporated in a starter mix is a good method of application. Table 1 gives the nutrient use and fertilizer recommendation for sorghum production as a grain or forage crop. Zinc is usually applied along with phosphorous and potassium. Salt index limits are listed in Table 3. In some soils, growers also may need to adjust pH to ensure the availability of soil nutrients to the sorghum. Nitrogen is an important crop nutrient and therefore its use as a fertilizer should not be discontinued (see publications below for recommendations), but it must be managed properly to prevent water contamination. Nitrogen In most farming environments,the most limiting nutrient to yield is nitrogen. Under low rainfall conditions with low yield potential, 30 to 60 pounds of nitrogen per acre may be adequate. Fertilizer Recommendation Guide. Adjusting high pH downward is usually impractical. Optimum Fertility Improves Water Use Efficiency. • Fe and zinc are the micronutrient most likely to be deficient in Kansas for sorghum. Once sorghum is established, two critical growth stages occur when lack of nitrogen can significantly impact yield. Adequate potassium levels are necessary for strong stalks, but high potassium rates alone will not provide total protection from stalk lodging. Sulfur can be lacking on sandy soils low in organic matter. Nutrient use efficiency deteriorates outside this pH range and liming to raise pH to 6.0 or above is effective. The best example of this involves the use of fertilizer. Going into the growing season, growers often find it difficult to set a yield goal and, in turn,struggle with calculating the proper amount of nitrogen needed. 1.2 lbs. Ron Gelderman . 2. For production on sandy soils with low organic matter, it is suggested to try a 10 to 15 pounds per acre sulfur application to ascertain the likelihood of a sulfur response. Figure 2: High pH induced iron deficiency chlorosis. Low and very low phosphorus levels, as indicated from soil tests, will likely show a response to applied phosphorus (45 to 60 pounds broadcast or 20 to35 pounds in a band) unless yield potential is restricted by insufficient moisture. Soil sorghum fertilizer recommendations are a good tool for predicting zinc needs for sorghum production growers... 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