Influence of nitrogen levels and planting geometry on sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) juice sugar quality traits under semi-arid tropical environment.

Abstract

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a potential bioenergy crop that produces both food (from grain) and biofuel (from stalk juice). The present investigation undertaken to assess the effect of different plant density and nitrogen levels on juice extraction and sugar quality traits of sweet sorghum grown in postrainy season of 2008-2009. Three planting geometries as main treatments (30× 15, 45× 15 and 60× 15 cm) and four levels of nitrogen (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1) application levels as sub-plot treatments were assessed in split-plot design. It is found that the combination of relatively lower nitrogen application level (60 kg ha-1) with maximum population density (spacing 45× 15 cm) are needed for higher sugar and ethanol yields in the farmer fields.