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Biology and Control of Sorghum-almum in Sugarcane

Calvin Odero, Ron Rice, and Leslie Baucum

Sorghum-almum (Sorghum almum) is an introduced grass species from Argentina. In the sugarcane production region of South Florida, it is also referred to as Columbus grass or "wild oats." Sorghum-almum is a cross between Sorghum bicolor and Sorghum propinquum (Paterson et al. 1995). Occurrence of sorghum-almum has also been reported in Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin (USDA-NRCS 2012). Sorghum-almum is commonly found in the southern part of Florida in sugarcane fields and along ditches, canals, and roadsides.

Biology and Life Cycle

Sorghum-almum is a weak, perennial rhizomatous grass (SWSS 1993). Leaves of seedlings are rolled in a bud with a fringed membranous ligule. Seedlings often resemble corn seedlings when small. Stems of mature plants are stout and erect, reaching up to 14 feet tall (Figure 1). Leaf blades are flat and sandpapery. Blades are 1/2–1 1/2 inches wide by 18–32 inches long, and they are usually hairless, with long hairs occasionally at the base of the upper leaf surface.

Figure 1. Sorghum-almum in sugarcane.
Figure 1.  Sorghum-almum in sugarcane.
Credit: D. C. Odero, UF/IFAS

The ligule is a prominent membrane on the basal two-thirds and fringed on the top one-third (Figure 2). Leaf sheaths are open and smooth. Inflorescences are found toward the tip of the branches. Seedheads are 6–24 inches long, with wide, spreading branches (Figure 3). Seeds are 3/8–1/4-inch long and smooth. Propagation is by seed or thick underground rhizomes (runners). Because it spreads by these thick underground runners, this weed species is difficult to control in sugarcane. Optimal germination of sorghum-almum occurs at 68°F–86°F (Eberlein 1987). However, light is usually not very critical for its germination. Germination is usually greatest at seeding depths of 6 inches or less and declines at depths greater than 8 inches (Eberlein 1987).

Figure 2. Sorghum-almum membranous ligule.
Figure 2.  Sorghum-almum membranous ligule.
Credit: D. C. Odero, UF/IFAS

 

Figure 3. Sorghum-almum seedhead.
Figure 3.  Sorghum-almum seedhead.
Credit: D. C. Odero, UF/IFAS

 

Control

Sorghum-almum populations can be reduced with repeat tillage between the row middles using disk cultivators and by including fallow periods or rotational crops into a sugarcane cropping system. Currently, no herbicides are specifically labeled for selective control of sorghum-almum in sugarcane. However, some herbicides labeled for other grass species may provide some suppression in sugarcane (Table 1). Using tillage alone may create difficulty controlling perennial populations of sorghum-almum that have established thick underground runners; consequently, spot spraying with non-selective herbicides such as glyphosate can successfully reduce populations. Glyphosate at 2% solution will provide acceptable control. If the glyphosate formulation does not contain adjuvants, adding ammonium sulfate to the spray solution will improve glyphosate control.

References

Eberlein, C.V. 1987. "Germination of Sorghum almum Seeds and Longevity in Soil." Weed Science 35:796-801.

Paterson, A.H., K.F. Schertz, Y. Lin, S. Liu, and Y. Chang. 1995. "The Weediness of Wild Plants: Molecular Analysis of Genes Influencing Dispersal and Persistence of Johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 92: 6127-31.

Southern Weed Science Society (SWSS). 1993 Weed Identification Guide. Champaign: Southern Weed Science Society.

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). 2012. "Sorghum almum Parodi Columbus grass." Accessed November 27, 2012. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SOAL.

Uva, R.H., J.C. Neil, and J.M. DiTomaso. 1997. Weeds of the Northeast. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

Table 1. 

Herbicide options for suppression of sorghum-almum in sugarcane.

Herbicide

Trade name

Rate per acre

Timing

Comments

Metribuzin

Metribuzin

1 1/3–2 2/3 lb

Preemergence

Can provide suppression of seedling sorghum-almum. Does not control regrowth of underground runners. Apply prior to weed emergence after planting or after harvest of the stubble (ratoon) crop. Use on muck soils only and not on sandy (mineral) soils.

Pendimethalin

Prowl H2O

4.2–8.4 pt

Preemergence

Can provide suppression of seedling sorghum-almum. Does not control regrowth of underground runners. Apply prior to weed emergence after planting or after harvest of stubble cane.

Pendimethalin +

Metribuzin

Prowl H2O + Metribuzin

1 1/3–2 2/3 lb

+

4.2–8.4 pt

Preemergence

Can provide suppression of seedling sorghum-almum. Does not control regrowth of underground runners. Apply prior to weed emergence after planting or after harvest of stubble cane.

Asulam

Asulox

Asulam

(several)

6–8 pt

Postemergence

Apply to plant or stubble cane for suppression of seedling and rhizome sorghum-almum less than 18 inches tall. Use either a non-ionic surfactant at 1–2 quarts per 100 gallons (0.25–0.50% v/v) or crop oil concentrate at 4 quarts per 100 gallons (1% v/v).

Asulam

+

Trifloxysulfuron

Asulox

Asulam

(several)

+

Envoke

6–8 pt

+

0.3 oz

Postemergence

Apply to plant or stubble cane for suppression of seedling and rhizome sorghum-almum less than 18 inches tall. Use a non-ionic surfactant at 1–2 quarts per 100 gallons (0.25–0.50% v/v).

 

 

Publication #SS-AGR-369

Release Date:January 8th, 2020

Reviewed At:July 24th, 2023

Related Experts

Baucum, Leslie E

external

University of Florida

Rice, Ronald W.

County agent

University of Florida

Odero, Dennis Calvin

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.

Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.

Management

About this Publication

This document is SS-AGR-369, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date December 2012. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. This publication is a part of the Florida Sugarcane Handbook. For more information, contact the editor of the Sugarcane Handbook, Hardev Sandhu hsandhu@ufl.edu.

About the Authors

Calvin Odero, associate professor, Agronomy Department, Everglades Research and Education Center; Ron Rice, county Extension director, UF/IFAS Extension Palm Beach County; and Leslie Baucum, Sugarcane Agronomist, United States Sugar Corporation; UF/IFS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Dennis Odero