Weed Management in Sorghum

Paul Hay, Extension Educator in Gage County provides the following information:

The keys to weed control in milo are Early Preplant (EPP) and Days Before Planting (DBP) listed in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Guide for Weed Management (PDF 4.76MB, 204 pages; opens in new window). There are few options for postemergence grass control until Clearfield hybrids become available. A solid before-planting program is the best.

What about a burndown with glyphosate at planting or preemerge treatment?

It can work, but there is a dangerous gap. Grass killers for sorghum are shoot absorbed. If there is no rain to activate the herbicide, escapes can occur where there is a bit of moisture in the soil to germinate grasses which come through the non-active barrier. When the herbicide is in place for the later-planted crop, it saves moisture and gives the producer added options for both grass and broadleaf control.

Spraying the last part of the herbicide behind the planter and/or using glyphosate behind the planter extends the weed control program and ensures a clean field at planting without using tillage to dry the soil and plant more weed seed. There are limited options for post-grass control, so scout heavy early and respond aggressively to escapes while they are small.

Weed Management Publications: Sorghum

 
Weed Management in Rainfed Cropping Systems (NebGuide G1577 *PDF, 757 KB; 4 pages)
Weed management recommendations for the four phases of a three-year summer-fallow cropping system.

Ecofarming: Spring Row Crop Planting and Weed Control in Winter Wheat Stubble (NebGuide G551, *PDF version, 696 KB; 3 pages)
Weed control, stubble management and planters for planting in winter wheat stubble are covered.

Ridge Plant Systems: Weed Control (NebGuide G1762, *PDF version,  616 KB; 4 pages)
Advantages and disadvantages of the ridge plant system, weed control before and at planting, and economics of the system are discussed in this NebGuide.

*NOTE: Publication listed is a PDF document. You must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer for reading or printing. Download Adobe Reader Free

General Weed Management Resources

Use of Herbicide Tolerant Crops as a Component of an Integrated Weed Management Program  (NebGuide G1484; *PDF 290KB, 4 pages)
This NebGuide provides general guidelines for using herbicide tolerant crops in an integrated weed management program to ensure the long term viability and profitability of this technology while protecting natural resources.

A Quick Test for Herbicide Carry-over in the Soil  (NebGuide G1891; *PDF 746KB, 3 pages)
How can you tell if you have herbicide carry-over in your fields?  Plants grown in soil samples can tell.

Weed Management in Rainfed Cropping Systems  (NebGuide G1577; *PDF 757KB, 4 pages)
Weed management recommendations for the four phases of a three-year summer-fallow cropping system.

Weed Targeting Herbicide Management: Precision Agriculture (EC708; *PDF 358KB, 6 pages)
Site-specific weed management and herbicide application is an effective way to minimize herbicide costs, maximize weed control and prevent unnecessary environmental waste. This publication, part of the precision agriculture series, explains basic principles of site-specific weed control.
 

UNL Extension Publications on Herbicide Spray Application Topics

 
Herbicides are a major tool for weed management.  The following publications provide information on the proper setup, calibration, and cleanup of agricultural sprayers.  There is also information on spray drift and spraying patterns to avoid overlap.

How to Spray a Field to Prevent Overlap and Reduce Drift Injury (NebGuide G1570, PDF, 87 KB; 4 pages)
Proper spraying techniques for various situations are outlined and illustrated.

Fine-Tuning a Sprayer with the "Ounce" Calibration Method (NebGuide G1756, *PDF version, 848 KB; 4 pages)
This NebGuide discusses guidelines to quickly evaluate the performance of a sprayer. Sprayer calibration, nozzle discharge and speed checks are evaluated with minimal calculations.

Calibrating of Sprayers (Also Seeders) (NebGuide G2044, PDF, 651 KB; 4 pages)
Provides methods and calculations for calibrating sprayers and seeders for accurate in-field application plus a section on converting weights and measures.

Cleaning Pesticide Application Equipment (NebGuide G1770, *PDF version, 646 KB; 3 pages)
How to safely clean sprayers, nozzles and other equipment thoroughly after spraying pesticides is covered in this NebGuide.

Spray Drift of Pesticides (NebGuide G1773, *PDF version, 710 KB; 4 pages)
Conditions that cause particle drift, and best practices of spraying are discussed in this NebGuide.

*NOTE: Publication listed is a PDF document. You must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer for reading or printing. Download Adobe Reader Free

UNL Extension Publications on Pesticide Safety Topics

Managing the Risk of Pesticide Poisoning and Understanding the Signs and Symptoms (EC2505, PDF, 699 KB; 12 pages)
Accidental exposure or overexposure to pesticides can have serious health implications. Being able to recognize common pesticide poisonings and knowing what to do when pesticide poisoning occurs can prevent serious consequenses.

Safe Transport, Storage and Disposal of Pesticides (EC2507, PDF, 376 KB; 16 pages)
Most accidental pesticide poisonings occur when pesticides are mishandled. Find out how to safely store and handle pesticides, and learn the best ways to dispose of both product and containers.

Understanding the Pesticide Label (NebGuide G1955, *PDF version, 996 KB; 3 pages)
This NebGuide describes the parts of a pesticide label, to aid in understanding and promote safe and effective use of pesticide products.

Pesticide Laws and Regulations (NebGuide G479, *PDF version, 606 KB; 4 pages)
General information on federal and state laws and regulations regarding pesticide use in Nebraska.

Rinsing Pesticide Containers (NebGuide G1736, *PDF version, 958 KB; 4 pages)
Proper rinsing of pesticide containers is important in protecting the environment, saving money and meeting federal and state regulations.

Protective Clothing and Equipment for Pesticide Applicators (NebGuide G758, *PDF version, 819 KB; 4 pages)
Wearing protective clothing and equipment (PPE) when handling pesticides reduces the risk of exposure and pesticide poisoning.

Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides (NebGuide G1219, *PDF version, 633 KB; 4 pages)
The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) protects agricultural employees from exposure to agricultural pesticides. Find out whether as an employer you are covered or exempt from the WPS and learn how to comply with it.

*NOTE: Publication listed is a PDF document. You must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer for reading or printing. Download Adobe Reader Free