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

The objective of this project was to investigate management practices for sweet sorghum as a bioenergy crop in Iowa and its storability as an ensiled product. A management study was conducted to evaluate the effects of planting date, seeding rate, row width, and nitrogen fertility on the growth, biomass yield, and chemical composition of sweet sorghum. In addition, a silage study was conducted to determine chemical composition and fermentation potential of pressed sweet sorghum residue as well as the effects of enzymatic pretreatments.