Comparison of Skip-Row Grain Sorghum and Corn in Western Kansas.

Planting corn in a skip-row pattern has become more common over the past few years

because it may provide an increase in yield over planting corn in every row when yield

potential is low. With the advent of acetolactate synthase (ALS)- and acetyl-CoA

carboxylase (ACCase)-resistant grain sorghum by 2012, more viable postemergence

weed control options will be available in grain sorghum. Therefore, farmers would like

to know if skip-row grain sorghum will also have improved yields. A 3-year study at

three sites was initiated in 2007 in western Kansas to compare corn and grain sorghum

planted in every row and in a skip-row pattern (i.e., plant two 30-in. rows, and skip two

30-in. rows). Weather conditions were highly variable across sites and years. There was

no benefit to growing skip-row grain sorghum over planting grain sorghum in every row

in marginal or optimum growing conditions. Therefore, this research indicates there is

no benefit to the farmer to plant grain sorghum in a skip-row pattern.