Screening and identification of forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cultivars for ethanol production from stalk juice

Abstract

Sorghum biomass is a renewable resource that offers significant potential for ethanol production. Nine forage type sorghum cultivars (PC 1, PC 6, PC 9, PC 23, PC 121, PC 129, PC 615, PCH 109 and SSG 610) were screened for ethanol production potential during 2004-05 in Delhi, India. Cultivar PCH 109 recorded the highest stalk and sugar yield followed by cultivars PC 615, and PC 6, whereas cv. PC 23 recorded the lowest stalk and sugar yield. Juice recovery in sorghum stalks varied from 27.3 to 40.1%. The highest ethanol yield was recorded in cv. PCH 109 (1661 litre/ha in one crop cycle and 3236 litre/ha in two crop cycles) and lowest in cv. PC 23 (814 litre/ha in one crop cycle). Sorghum cv. PCH 109 was the most suitable and efficient for ethanol production with maximum fermentation efficiency, and could be used for ethanol production from stalk juice in the distilleries throughout the year in the subtropical climatic of north India. The underutilization of the existing molasses-based ethanol distilleries and the future deficit in ethanol requirement of the country can be met if sorghum cultivation is promoted for ethanol production.