The influence of sweet sorghum crop stand arrangement on biomass and biogas production

Abstract

The possibility of sweet sorghum cultivation with different inter-row distances (20, 50, 75 cm) was verified in small scale plots with 3 cultivars (Bovital, Goliath, Sucrosorgho). The maize cv. Atletico (rows 75 cm) was used as a control. The influence of row width and cultivar on fresh and dry biomass, methane and biogas production per area was statistically significant. The methane and biogas production was evaluated in laboratory, via fermentation in Oxi Top Control Merck bottles. Generally, sorghum was more productive than maize. The highest biogas production per hectare was found in case of 25 cm row spacing. Goliath was the most yielding cultivar (in all parameters). The experiment proved possibility to produce biomass from sorghum in narrow rows for biogas stations in the Czech Republic.