Management of Forage and Energy Sorghum in Illinois for Biomass Feedstock Production.

Photoperiod sensitive sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) hybrids known as ‘forage sorghum’ and ‘energy sorghum’ are being developed as dedicated energy crops because of their potential to provide high yielding lignocellulosic feedstock.  An advantage to growing these photoperiod sensitive hybrids in northern environments like Illinois, allows vegetative growth to continue late into the growing season. We evaluated the potential of these sorghum hybrids in Illinois through field experimentation in 4 Illinois environments. Five nitrogen rates (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg N ha^-1 were applied to plots. Measurements of plant height, leaf area index, light interception, SPAD, and total nitrogen were collected throughout the growing season. Sorghum produced high biomass yields in each of the Illinois environments.  Response to applied Nitrogen indicates optimal application rates between 130 and 160 kg N ha^-1 to achieve maximum harvestable dry biomass.