Stalk and head diseases present the major problems. Anthracnose is a major, devastating disease. You must have anthracnose resistance to get optimum yields. Charcoal rot is also a problem following periods of hot, dry weather during plant development. Resistance varies according to variety.
Most sorghums have partial resistance or tolerance rather than resistance.
The Fusarium complex affects roots, stalks, and heads of grain sorghum. Fusarium stalk rot and head blight can cause severe yield losses. The stalk rot is usually accompanied by extensive root damage. Fusarium stalk rot is more of a problem when cool, wet weather follows hot, dry weather. Maximum tillage, high nitrogen fertilization, high plant populations, and continuous cropping to sorghum seem to increase fusarium problems.