Dryland and irrigated winter-sown sorghum

Abstract

Take home messages
Winter sowing sorghum didn’t penalise yields in eight trials sites from Liverpool plains to Central Queensland and across two seasons
In dryland cropping, winter sown sorghum provides additional sowing opportunities, reduces the chances of heat stress, and increases the chances of double cropping a winter crop
In irrigated cropping, ratooned winter sown sorghum can compete with cotton on profits and is less risky
Commercially available hybrids can successfully germinate and emerge in cooler soils than previously recommended, though the seed must be tested for vigour at low temperatures
Sorghum seedlings can withstand mild frost, though so far, we haven’t been able to frost kill a crop, meaning that frost risk is unknown.