Biomass Production and Bioenergy Potential of Sweet Sorghum in South Germany

Biomass is an important source for bioenergy and plays a significant role in the renewable energy action plans of Germany. In order to supplement existing energy crop rotations, new high yielding energy crops like sorghum become important. Sweet sorghum is especially interesting for bioethanol production since its sugary juice can be converted directly and efficiently into alcohol. This study shows that sweet sorghum can be grown in South Germany although the climate is not ideal for this tropical plant. Yields between 14 and 20 t ha-1 (dry matter of whole crop) were obtained in field experiments. Sugar contents in the biomass increased until milk development of the plant and reached up to 38 %. The main problems in sweet sorghum cultivation that were revealed in this study are the high risk of lodging and insufficient dry matter contents at harvest. According to the author sweet sorghum is an interesting crop and could gain importance in South Germany but not until breeding efforts are enforced and adequate cultivars, adapted to the local climate, are commercially available.