Determining the Optimum Row Spacing and Plant Density for Sweet Sorghum Production in the Southern Great Plains.

An increased interest in sweet sorghum as a biofuel feedstock in the southern Great Plains has created a need to develop basic agronomic recommendations for the region. Sweet sorghum has not been produced in the region but appears to be well adapted to the area and cropping systems. The objectives of this project are to determine the optimum row spacing and plant population for sweet sorghum production in the southern Great Plains. Three locations in Oklahoma were established, ranging in precipitation from 762 mm to 1143 mm. At each location two separate studies were conducted. To determine optimum plant spacing, plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design and seeded at rates of 70,000 seeds ha^-1 to 170,000 seeds ha^-1 in row spacing’s of 38 cm and 76 cm. To determine the effect of row spacing on sweet sorghum production two varieties were evaluated in spacing’s of 20 cm, 38 cm, and 76 cm. Plots will be harvested at soft dough stage to obtain wet yield. Samples will be pressed to determine juice extraction.