Forage and biomass feedstock production from hybrid forage sorghum and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids
2008
Venuto, Brad | Kindiger, Bryan
As the bioenergy industry expands, producers choosing to shift current forage crop production to dedicated biomass crops can benefit from growing lower risk multipurpose crops that maximize management options. Hybrid forage sorghums (HFS) and sorghum-sudangrass hybrids (SSG) are capable of impressive biomass yields and tolerance to environmental stress. Multiple vegetative harvests (ratoon harvests) of sorghum are possible and there are photoperiod-sensitive sorghums that remain vegetative. However, the response of newer HFS and SSG cultivars to harvest management practices designed for forage or cellulosic feedstock production has not been fully investigated in all environments. The objectives of this study were to: (i) determine biomass production and quality characteristics of a genetically diverse range of HFS, SSG and sudangrass cultivars and evaluate their interaction with harvest system; and (ii) provide data to aid selection of sorghum cultivars for both forage and biofuel uses. Mean yield across all entries and years for a single late season harvest was 27.1 Mg ha⁻¹ of dry matter per year. Mean total yield for a first harvest plus a ratoon crop was 25.5 Mg ha⁻¹ of dry matter per year. However, entries varied for yield and interacted with harvest system. Mean caloric value was 16.5 Gj Mg⁻¹ and modest differences were observed among cultivars evaluated. The best performing entry (cv. Tentaka) yielded 40.3 Mg ha⁻¹ of dry matter for a single late season harvest, demonstrating the biomass potential of existing sorghum cultivars, specifically those possessing photoperiod- and/or thermosensitive genotypes.
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