Leticia Camara Vieira
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS, USA
Diogo Reffatti
Visiting Scholar
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas, United States
Craig Dinkel
Midway District Extension Agent
Kansas State University
Russell, Kansas, United States
Jay Wisbey
Crop Production Agent
Kansas State University
Salina, Kansas, United States
Kelsey Andersen Onofre
Assistant Professor
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas, United States
Timothy Todd
Instructor and Research Scientist
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas, United States
Rodrigo B. Onofre, n/a
Assistant Professor, Row Crops Pathology
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas, United States
Stalk rot are among the most important diseases affecting sorghum production across the U.S. Yield losses of up to 60% have been reported. Growers currently rely on pre-planting strategies, such as avoiding high plant populations. However, the threshold for optimal plant density remains unclear, and the relationship between plant population, row spacing, and sorghum stalk rot still not well defined. Therefore, this study’s objective was to generate a better understanding of how plant populations and row spacing contribute to sorghum stalk rot disease development. Research trials were established in three Kansas locations during the 2024 growing season. No artificial inoculation was performed. The experiments were arranged in a two-factor, split-plot design with row spacing (15 and 30 inches) as the whole-plot and plant population as the sub-plot with four replicate blocks. Plant population varied between 15-inch row spacing (50, 60, 70, and 80 thousand plants/acre) and 30-inch row spacing (25, 40, 55 and 70 thousand plants/acre) treatments. For each plant population and row spacing treatment combination two hybrids were used. Panicle size, lodging, and grain yield were evaluated. Stalk rot incidence and severity were assessed before harvest. Preliminary findings suggest that at a 30-inches row spacing yield was highest at 40,000 plants/acre and a strong negative relationship between plant density and lodging was detected. Data analysis is currently in progress, and findings will be shared during the meeting.