Investigation of management strategies for the production of sweet sorghum as a bioenergy crop and preservation of crop residue by the ensiling process

摘要: In recent years, biofuels have become a national priority as demonstrated by the formation of Renewable Fuels Standard. response, significant research has been directed toward identifying high-yielding bioenergy crops, breeding for improved biomass yield and quality, developing management practices specific to crop production in order meet mandated advanced biofuels. The objective this project was investigate sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) Iowa. effects planting date, seeding rate, row width, nitrogen fertility on growth, yield, chemical composition ‘Top 766’ were evaluated. Plots seeded three dates; late May, early June, at rates 4.5, 11.2, 17.9 kg/ha with widths 20, 38, 76 cm years 2005 2006. All treatments factorial combination replicated four times randomized complete block design (RCBD). Nitrogen fertilizer 84 168 kg N/ha applied strip-plot treatments. Harvested plots weighed subsample collected analysis. Our results show that dry matter yields maximized second date 20-cm widths. Seeding rate had no yield. Under these conditions, 20.9 Mg/ha 37.1 obtained 2006, respectively. Average two-year period, 29.0 Mg/ha. Given results, sorghum, when managed Iowa, potential substantial yields.