title: Nematode population changes and forage yields of six corn and sorghum cultivars.
abstract: Two temperate corn (Zea mays) hybrids (Pioneer 3320 and Northrup King 508), two tropical corn cultivars (Pioneer X304C hybrid and Florida SYN-1 experimental open pollinated cultivar), the sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) x sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense) hybrid DeKalb SX-17, and the sorghum hybrid DeKalb FS25E were compared for effect on nematode densities and forage yield in three plantings (one single-crop and one double-crop system) in Florida. Final population densities of Meloidogyne incognita in the three plantings ranged from 0 to 13/100 cm(3) soil on the two Sorghum spp. and were lower (P </= 0.001) than those obtained on the corn cultivars (range 147 to 762/100 cm(3) soil). Early planted temperate corn and sorghum generally gave higher forage yields than did tropical corn. As second crops in double-cropping systems, tropical corn cultivars generally produced greater yields than temperate corn hybrids did. At 35% dry matter, double crop forage corn yield ranged from 51.1 to 64.8 ton/ha, and sorghum ranged from 79.8 to 102.2 ton/ ha. Tropical corn, forage sorghum, and sorghum-sudangrass were profitably grown at all planting dates. Late summer planting of temperate corn was unprofitable. DeKalb SX-17 sorghum x sudangrass first crop plus the ratoon double crop gave the highest net return of $1,133/ha. Among the corn cultivars, Florida SYN-1 gave the highest double crop net return of $652/ha.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McSorley
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Gallaher