Nitrogen Fertilization Timing Effect On Sweet Sorghum for Ethanol Production, Juice and Bagasse Quality.

Demand for ethanol is increasing drastically due to its direct use as well as blending in automotive fuels, which is desirable for getting clean exhaust and also significantly reduce United Sates dependence on foreign oil. In United States currently sweet sorghum is produced mainly for cooking and as a livestock feed after its introduction from Africa by settlers. It has a high water use efficiency, rapid growth rate, early maturity and high total value.The yields vary with the hybrid that is used for production and also there is limited research done on how varying levels of nitrogen interacts with the yield quality and quantity of different hybrids. The objectives of the study are  to determine the forage and ethanol yield and quality under different Nitrogen management conditions and to improve stalk pressing and fermentation methods. A three year field experiment was initiated at Dupy farm, Gene Autry, OK in 2008. The treatments (three varieties and seven different nitrogen rates) were arranged in a randomized complete block with three replications. The initial results indicate that variety has an effect on juice yield and quality. There was no significant diffrence among lower levels of nitrogen but significant diffrence at higher rates. Split application has no effect on yields.