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.

Seed Cost

2007 cost: $1.00/lb

Seeding Dates

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

Time Until Control

35-40 days to first mowing, then allow regrowth for 4-5 more weeks.

Seed Suppliers

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 V, and Special Effort). See the section on root knot nematode.

Management Tricks

Needs hot weather. Often needs to be mowed. To suppress nematodes, use a variety (such as Trudan8) that is high in dhurrin, not forage varieties.

Unavoidable Problems

Big crowns decompose slowly, so it is difficult to prepare a seedbed for small-seeded crops immediately after sudangrass.

Avoidable Problems

Provide up to 50 lb/ac nitrogen if there is little residual N in soil.

Classic Uses

Good summer cover with lots of biomass. Usually followed by a winter grain cover crop. If there is not enough time to use sudangrass, use buckwheat.

Maintenance

Mow when 20-30 inches tall, leaving a 6 inch stubble for regrowth. Leave residue uniformly 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.