Potential bioenergy crops under study

Southwest Farm Press
Dec 4, 2009 11:02 AM, By Ron Smith, Farm Press Editorial Staff

Sorghum has been produced in the United States for several hundred years as a grain crop; it’s been a worldwide source of grain for much longer.

A hardy crop, drought tolerant and water efficient, sorghum provides a consistent source of livestock and human food. That consistency also makes it an ideal candidate for bioenergy production.

Researchers at Texas AgriLife Research in College Station are looking at various sorghum types and numerous hybrids to develop energy crops that provide consistent, high biomass production. Efforts include work on traditional grain sorghum hybrids, forage sorghums and sweet sorghum selections.

Forage sorghums may have the most potential for cellulosic ethanol production, says Bill Rooney, professor, soil and crop sciences. “Sweet sorghum accumulates sugar in the stalks, like sugar cane. Energy sorghums accumulate lignins and cellulose. They never flower and are more drought tolerant.”

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