Effect of different nitrogen and potassium levels on ethanol yield and some yield parameters of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench var. saccharatum)

Abstract

Sweet sorghum, which is one of the bioethanol sources, has been increasing in importance in recent years. It is used in the production of bioethanol due to the high content of sugar in it. This study were carried out at Ege University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops, Izmir/Turkey on the experimental fields, two-factor coincidence plots were carried out in the form of a three-repeated potting experiment according to the trial pattern during the summer growth seasons of 2013 and 2014. Effects of different nitrogen (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 N/ha) and potassium (0, 50, 100, 150 kg K2O/ha) levels of on ethanol yield of sweet sorghum were investigated, in the experiment. N was applied in two equal doses in the experiment. K2O was mixed with soil and supplied as a single application. Some parameters were tested in the experiments such as stalk and juice yield, sugar content and theoretical ethanol yield. Results indicated that the effects of N and K treatments on all characteristics tested were significant. Application of the higher rates of N and K increased the ethanol yields compared to the control treatment. Based on these results the combination of N150-K100 were proved to be the best fertilizer level for ethanol yields of sweet sorghum grown under Mediterranean ecological conditions of Izmir.