THE CULTIVATION OF SWEET AND FIBER SORGHUM SORGHUM BICOLOR (L.) MOENCH IN MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT

摘要

A research was carried out in a plain area of South Italy (Sicily), with the aim of evaluating the crop productivity of sweet and fiber Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in terms of biomass, in the Mediterranean environment. nineteen genotypes in all were sown on the 3dr of June, 2010, and among fiber and sweet types in three different levels of Evapotraspiration (ETc) restoration: I100-100%ETc restoration, I50-50% ETc restoration PRD (Partial Rootzone Drrying) or I_0-0% ETc restoration% were applied. In I_(50) , the water was supplied by using the PRD (Partial Root Drying) technique. The fresh above ground biomass, on average of genotypes was 76.4 t ha~(-1) in fully irrigated treatment (I_(100)) , 59.6 t ha~(-1) in (I_(50)) and 24.7 t ha~(-1) in (I_0) while the dry matter yield was equal to 20.8 t ha~(-1), 16.2 t ha~(-1) and 6.4 t ha~(-1) under I_(100), I_(50) and I_0 regimes respectively. Irrespective of water regime, yield ranged between 8.5t ha~(-1) (Jumbo) and 23.5 t ha ~(-1) (Sugargraze). The PRD (Partial Rootzone Drying) application allowed to obtain a higher WUE compared to I100 treatment. In this experimental test was also measured the total soluble sugar content by Digital Refractometer 0-50% Brix – HANNA HI 96811.