issg Database: Management and Information Links for Sorghum halepense

Sorghum halepense (grass)

Ecology Distribution Management
Info Impact
Info References
and Links Contacts

         Management Information

Various methods have been used to control Sorghum halepense. While herbicides continue to provide the most effective control of plants growing among crops in Europe and North America (e.g. Bridges & Chandler 1987), herbicide-resistant strains have been reported (Smeda et al. 1997), and biological controls are being studied (Milhollon 2000; Chandramohan et al. 2002 ). Alternative management systems involving such measures as crop rotation can be effective in areas where herbicides are unavailable or too expensive (Ugen & Wortmann 2001). Various kinds of mechanical control have been used to prevent seed dispersal and rhizome production before the plants become fully established. These include slashing the plants at the beginning of the flowering stage in field margins, ditch banks, canals and crop land; avoiding animal grazing in infested areas; and cultivation within the first month after shoot emergence to prevent new rhizome production (The Nature Conservancy Element Stewardship Abstract). McWhorter (1989) considers that cultivation is most effective when the grass is about 36cm tall, helping to prevent the plants from maturing and spreading. The Nature Conservancy's Stewardship Abstract contains information on control methods. .
For details on preventative measures, chemical and physical control options, please see management information.

         Management Resources/Links

1. Bridges, D.C. and Chandler, J.M. 1987. Effect of herbicide and weed height on Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) control and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) yield. Weed Technology 1: 207-211.
2. California Dept. Of Food & Agriculture - Noxious Weeds database
        Summary: Contains information on both S. halepense and the related S. bicolor (syn. S. bicolor ssp. drummondii). Provides good info on reproduction and growth. Has a small amount of management information.
3. Chandramohan, S., Charudattan, R., Sonoda, R.M. and Singh, M. 2002. Field evaluation of a fungal pathogen mixture for the control of seven weedy grasses. Weed Science 50: 204-213.
4. Mack, R. N and W. M. Lonsdale., 2002. Eradicating invasive plants: Hard-won lessons for islands. In Turning the tide: the eradication of invasive species: 311-318. Veitch, C.R. and Clout, M.N.(eds). IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group. IUCN. Gland. Switzerland and Cambridge. UK.
        Summary: Uses Clidemia hirta in Hawaii as an eradication case study. Clidemia is in the Melastomataceae and somewhat similar ecologically to miconia.
Eradication case study in Turning the tide: the eradication of invasive species.
5. McWhorter, C.G. 1972. Factors affecting johnsongrass rhizome production and germination. Weed Science 20: 41-45.
6. Millhollon, R. 2000. Loose kernel smut for biocontrol of Sorghum halepense in Saccharum sp. hybrids. Weed Science 48: 645-652.
7. National Pest Plant Accord, 2001. Biosecurity New Zealand.
        Summary: The National Pest Plant Accord is a cooperative agreement between regional councils and government departments with biosecurity responsibilities. Under the accord, regional councils will undertake surveillance to prevent the commercial sale and/or distribution of an agreed list of pest plants.
Available from: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests-diseases/plants/accord.htm [Accessed 11 August 2005]
8. Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER), 2006. Sorghum halapense (L.) Pers., Poaceae
        Summary: Available from: Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER), 2006. Sorghum halapense (L.) Pers., Poaceae [Accessed 22 January 2006]
9. Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture (RNZIH), 2005. Johnson grass Sorghum halepense
        Summary: Available from: http://www.rnzih.org.nz/pages/nppa_051.pdf [Accessed 1 October 2005]
10. Smeda, R.J., Snipes, C.E. and Barrentine, W.L. 1997. Identification of graminicide-resistant johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense). Weed Science 45: 132-137.
11. Swaziland's Alien Plants Database., Undated. Sorghum halepense
        Summary: A database of Swaziland's alien plant species.
12. The Nature Conservancy Element Stewardship Abstract for Sorghum halepense
        Summary: Comprehensive coverage of general biological information and management strategies related to S. halepense. Contains a comprehensive list of references and links to related sites.
13. Varnham, K. 2006. Non-native species in UK Overseas Territories: a review. JNCC Report 372. Peterborough: United Kingdom.
        Summary: This database compiles information on alien species from British Overseas Territories.
Available from: http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-3660 [Accessed 10 November 2009]
14. Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board. 2002. Information on Johnsongrass
        Summary: Good summary of information on S. halepense. Mainly general information, but has short sections on control methods.
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The Global Invasive Species Database is managed by the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. It was developed as part of the global initiative on invasive species led by the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) and is supported through partnerships with the National Biological Information Infrastructure, Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research and the University of Auckland. Conditions of use.