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Sorghum Plant Plant Development
Stage 0: Emergence
The plant is visible when the first leaf, known as the coleoptile leaf, breaks through the soil surface. The coleoptile leaf is shorter than the later emerging leaves and has a rounded leaf tip. Emergence time can range from three to 14 days, depending largely on soil temperature, moisture, seeding depth and seedling vigor.
Stage 1: Three-Leaf
The collar of the third leaf is visible. Note that once a leaf’s collar forms, the leaf no longer expands. This stage occurs 10 to 15 days after emergence, depending on weather conditions, when the plant is typically 3 to 4 inches tall.
Stage 2: Five-Leaf
The collar of the fifth fully expanded leaf is visible, and the growing point is at or just below the soil surface. This stage occurs approximately 20 to 25 days after emergence when the plant is 7 to 9 inches tall. Farmers should apply most post-emergent herbicides at or before this time. Sidedress fertilizer applications are best made at this stage or within the following 10 to 15 days.
Stage 3: Growing Point Differentiation (GPD)
The plant is entering a rapid period of growth. The growing point can be found just above the ground by splitting the stalk, and the number of seeds per head will be determined over the next couple of weeks. This stage typically occurs 30 to 40 days after emergence, when the plant is 12 to 15 inches tall.
At this stage, one or two of the bottom leaves may have fallen off, and tillers may be present at the base of the plant. Prior to GPD, the plant can withstand considerable stress with minimum effect on yield. However, stress during GPD can affect the potential number of seeds per head at flowering. Stage 3 is a key time to apply irrigation if soil moisture conditions are dry and irrigation is available.
Stage 4: Flag Leaf Visible
The last leaf to emerge prior to heading is called the flag leaf, which is shorter than the preceding leaves. The sorghum plant is in the flag leaf stage when the leaf tip is visible in the whorl. The last two or three leaves will fully expand during this period. Typically, the plant progresses from the flag leaf to the boot stage in 5 to 7 days.
Stage 5: Boot
The boot stage is when the sorghum panicle, also known as the head, is in the flag leaf sheath and can be seen as a bulge or swelling. Leaf collars of all leaves are visible, and the panicle is pushed up through the flag leaf collar by the upper stalk, known as the peduncle. The length of the peduncle can be affected by stress at this time and is influenced by hybrid genetics. With most grain sorghum hybrids, the boot stage occurs approximately 50 to 60 days after emergence. Moisture and heat stress during the boot stage and for the next 14 days will significantly lower yield. The plant progresses from the boot stage to the heading stage in 3 to 5 days.
Stage 6: Flowering
Flowering or blooming is the most critical stage in the life of the sorghum plant. A plant begins flowering from the top of the panicle and progresses downward. A field of sorghum is in the flowering stage when blooming has progressed halfway down the panicle in 50% of the plants. At this stage, the peduncle is still elongating, and it typically takes 4 to 9 days for a single panicle to complete the flowering process. Hybrids are rated on their maturity largely based on the length of time the plant takes to reach the flowering stage.
Stage 7: Soft Dough
Sorghum reaches the soft dough stage when the grain can be crushed between the thumb and index finger but no longer contains a milky liquid. At this stage, starch is rapidly accumulating, 50% of the grain’s final weight has been achieved, and the whole plant moisture is approximately 65-68%. Stress at this time can significantly lower yield. By the end of the stage, the grain has colored, and the sorghum is ready to harvest as silage. The soft dough stage will last 7 to 10 days or until the grain can no longer be crushed between the thumb and index finger.
Stage 8: HARD DOUGH
At the hard dough stage, grain has reached 75 percent of its final dry weight, and nutrient uptake is almost complete. The grain can no longer be crushed between the thumb and index finger. The seed coat is no longer green and has turned its final color, which can be white, tan, bronze or red. The total moisture content of the plant is now decreasing daily, and water stress during this time tends to promote lodging. The hard dough stage typically lasts 10 to 14 days.
Stage 9: Physiological Maturity
At this stage, the grain has achieved its maximum dry weight. Physiological maturity is recognized by a dark spot or black layer on the bottom of the kernel. Grain moisture content typically ranges between 25-35%. Desiccants can be safely used to aid in harvest without reducing grain yield. The total time from flowering to physiological maturity is approximately 40 to 45 days.
By Sorghum Checkoff
