What Is Wrong With My Sorghum Field?

Are there any small, circular red lesions with a distinct margin develop on leaves and stems, lesions may enlarge during humid weather conditions?

Does the lower stalk appears shredded and dark gray; small, black fungal structures on internal parts of the stalk give tissues a dark gray color?

Are there any small red spots on leaves that enlarge to form rectangular lesions between leaf veins?

Are there any small, oval, or elongated red spots on leaves; lesions coalesce and develop hard black fungal fruiting bodies, giving the leaves a sandpaper-like texture?

Is the head replaced by a brown, powdery mass of fungal spores covered by gray to brown membrane?

These symptoms indicate a fungal disease - Anthracnose. Disease emergence is favored by wet conditions. The fungus is spread by splashing water. Keep plants dry when watering to prevent spread. Spray plants with copper when the first pods develop if you have had problems in the past.

Charcoal rot is a fungal disease that attacks sorghum. The fungus had a wide host range and affects beans, tobacco, soybean, pigeon pea, and many other crops. Organic soil amendments such as the addition of manure or neem cake can be used to reduce levels of inoculum in the soil. Plant varieties with strong stems. Plant sorghum in fertile soil and avoid overcrowding.

Gray leaf spot is a fungal disease promoted by periods of warm and wet weather during the growing season. The disease can be prevented by planting sorghum varieties that are tolerant or resistant to the disease.

Rough spot is a disease caused by a fungus that survives between growing seasons on crop debris. Sorghum varieties with a high level of resistance should be planted in areas where the disease is problematic but the disease generally causes only minor losses when present.

Smut is a fungal disease promoted by cool, dry soils. The entire head may be affected by the fungus or it may be localized at the top, bottom, or sides of the head. The disease can be prevented by growing resistant varieties or controlled with the application of appropriate fungicides.

If there are concentric or zoned patches of red and purple bands separated by straw-colored or tan bands on leaves your sorghum may be suffering from a fungal disease - Zonate leaf spot. It's a common disease of sorghum during wet weather. Losses can be reduced by rotating crops and the practice of good sanitation by removing crop debris and susceptible weed species from the field.