Sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass

Sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass are midsummer grasses suitable for short, 8-10 week plantings. Sorghum-sudangrass is often referred to generically as Sudex, although that is DeKalb’s trademarked name. These grasses are the most heat and drought- tolerant cover crops typically grown in the Northeast. Sudangrass growth is easier to manage because the stems are narrower, it can be sown earlier than sorghum-sudangrass, and suppresses weeds better. These crops provide abundant root biomass, which is useful for increasing soil organic matter. Mowing encourages root growth. They suppress root knot nematodes and inhibit weed germination if densely sown.

Land preparation

Prepare a clod-free seedbed. Avoid hard soil and wet spots. Do not plant just before a heavy rain.

Seeding rate

30 lb/ac for biomass and nematode control.
50 lb/ac for weed control.
Seed size varies, so if using a variety with larger or smaller seed size than average, adjust the rate to provide a similar plant population.

Seeding date

June through mid-August (sudangrass).
July through mid August (sorghum-sudangrass).
These cover crops require warm soil to germinate.

Seed Sources

Albert Lea Seedhouse, Seedway, UAP, local farm seed dealers.
To suppress nematodes, use a variety that is high in dhurrin (such as Trudan8, Sordan 79, Green Grazer, and Special Effort).
See the section on root knot nematode.

Maintenance

Mow when 20-30 inches tall, leaving a 6 inch stubble. Leave residue on the soil surface for weed suppression. Timely mowing is important because tall, fibrous plants are difficult to mow or incorporate.

Control

Big crowns decompose slowly, making it difficult to prepare a seedbed for small-seeded crops. Incorporate sudangrass if planting something else in the fall. Otherwise, mow for winter-killed mulch on the surface and till in early spring. Tall, unmowed sudangrass will winterkill, but is difficult to manage in the spring.

Tips

Good summer cover if a long mid-summer period is available.
Usually followed by a winter grain cover crop. For shorter summer opportunities, use buckwheat.
Add nitrogen fertilizer if there is not substantial residual after the previous crop.
This plant can be used in some insectary mixes because sorghum may harbor greenbug (Schizaphis graminum), which in turn attracts ladybeetles, lacewings, and other beneficial predatory insects.