Effects of Row Spacing and Population Density on Yield of Sweet Sorghum: Applications for Harvesting as Billets

摘要: As an emerging biofuel feedstock, sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] could perhaps most readily be integrated into sugarcane production systems where existing harvesters can utilized to process the crop. This will require row spacing compatible with harvesters, but literature on and planting density in is scarce gives conflicting results. In North Florida 2012 2013 growing seasons, we therefore examined effects of configurations (61 76 cm single rows, 71 by 107 double rows (DR), 35.5 triple rows) initial plant population densities (74,100; 98,800; 123,500; 148,200 ha–¹) fresh biomass yield, Brix, estimated sugar stem diameter. We found no advantage multiple (double or a definitive disadvantage compared treatments. The 61-cm treatment, which amenable harvest harvester, yielded as well better 2013, depending density, than commonly used 76-cm cannot harvested harvester. data also highlighted cultural tradeoff that exists between increasing decreasing Considering this tradeoff, intermediate such 123,500 plants ha–¹, was best optimize yield diameter facilitate billets.