Abstract

TORRECILLAS, M. G; BERTOIA, L. M  and  JORGE REY, L. Nitrogen nutrition and hybrid type and their influence on attributes that determine bioenergetic aptitude of sorghum. Agriscientia [online]. 2018, vol.35, n.2, pp.1-9. ISSN 1668-298X.

The use of renewable energy sources is growing worldwide and the search for alternative biomass for the production of fuel, such as ethanol, has intensified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different nitrogen (N) rates on use efficiency and several attributes of the sugar and lignocellulosic biomass of four morphotypes (Hyb) of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). During two growing seasons, fermentable sugar yield (FSY), theoretical ethanol yield from fermentable sugar (EY_sug), cellulosic ethanol yield (EY_cel), and the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) for dry matter yield (DMY) were evaluated. Significant year effects were observed for all measured traits. Nitrogen application strongly influenced all the traits measured, except soluble sugars (TSS). No significant N rate x morphotype interaction for any variable was noted. In both seasons sweet sorghum morphotypes were superior in FSY, due to higher values of soluble sugars (TSS). The 50 N rate presented the highest values in NUE. Although there were no significant differences between hybrids, the biomass yield of photosensitive types was decisive for ethanol yield prediction, both from sugars and cellulose.

Keywords : Nitrogen fertilization; Sweet sorghum; Bioenergetic aptitude; Lignocellulosic ethanol.

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