Henry J. Mascagni, Bill Williams, and Robert Bell. LSU AgCenter Northeast Research Station, P.O. Box 438, St. Joseph, 71366
Oftentimes grain sorghum’s harvest efficiency is restricted by ‘green matter’ from leaves, stalks and immature grain (late tillers). Grain may be subsequently docked for foreign matter as well as elevated grain moisture. Desiccants can be applied prior to harvest, which dry the vegetation and grain to a static state improving harvest efficiency. Questions arise on the timing of desiccant application and what effect that has on grain development and yield potential. The potential of using glyphosate as a desiccate for grain sorghum was evaluated in 2005 and 2006 on a Sharkey silty clay at the Northeast Research Station by applying 1 lb ai/acre of glyphosate at 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100% maturity. For these respective growth stages, glyphosate was applied July 22, July 26, August 1, August 5 and August 9 in 2005 and August 4, August 9, August 15, August 21 and August 25 in 2006. Though not statistically significant, glyphosate applications before 50% maturity reduced grain sorghum yield up to 12%. Grain sorghum treated with glyphosate at 50% maturity reached 15% grain moisture about one week earlier than the non-treated, while grain sorghum treated at 75 and 100% maturity reached 15% grain moisture two to three days earlier than the non-treated control.
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