Management of Biofuel Sorghums in Kansas

Management of Biofuel Sorghums in Kansas PDF Author: Scott J. Dooley
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Languages : en
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Current demand for ethanol production is stressing feedstock production. Previous research has shown sweet sorghum and photoperiod sensitive sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] as viable feedstocks which may supplement or replace current feedstocks. Studies were conducted at two dryland locations in north central and northeast Kansas in 2008 and 2009 to determine the effects of cultivar, nitrogen fertilizer rate, plant density, and harvest date on sweet sorghum juice and biomass yields. The cultivar study indicated the cultivar 'M81E' generally had the greatest yield. Other cultivars were not well suited for this region. No significant results were found in the nitrogen rate trial, indicating sweet sorghum may be insensitive to nitrogen fertilizer applications. The plant density trial results indicated that sweet sorghum possess a great ability to compensate for plant spacing. No differences were found in juice yields across densities, and the only difference found in total dry biomass was at the highest plant density. Results from the harvest date study indicate that sweet sorghum harvest should be delayed until at least the grain soft dough stage and can be continued for at least 10 days after a killing freeze without a yield penalty. Delaying harvest allowed for an increase in total dry matter and fermentable carbohydrates without a decrease in juice yield. Two studies were conducted at two dryland locations in northcentral and northeast Kansas in 2008 and 2009 to determine the effects of plant density on photoperiod sensitive sorghum yields, with an additional study to determine the effects of winter weathering. Photoperiod sensitive sorghum was found to be similarly insensitive to plant density, with few differences found in total dry biomass yield. Yields were found to decrease significantly due to winter weathering. A final study was conducted to examine a variety of sorghums as biofuel feedstocks. Photoperiod sensitive sorghum yielded the greatest in 2008 while sweet sorghum yielded less. In 2009, sweet and photoperiod sensitive sorghum yielded less than the cultivar TAMUXH08001. Sweet sorghum yields are generally the greatest with 'M81E' and when harvested after soft dough. Yields of both sorghums are occasionally influenced by plant density.

Management of Biofuel Sorghums in Kansas

Management of Biofuel Sorghums in Kansas PDF Author: Scott J. Dooley
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Current demand for ethanol production is stressing feedstock production. Previous research has shown sweet sorghum and photoperiod sensitive sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] as viable feedstocks which may supplement or replace current feedstocks. Studies were conducted at two dryland locations in north central and northeast Kansas in 2008 and 2009 to determine the effects of cultivar, nitrogen fertilizer rate, plant density, and harvest date on sweet sorghum juice and biomass yields. The cultivar study indicated the cultivar 'M81E' generally had the greatest yield. Other cultivars were not well suited for this region. No significant results were found in the nitrogen rate trial, indicating sweet sorghum may be insensitive to nitrogen fertilizer applications. The plant density trial results indicated that sweet sorghum possess a great ability to compensate for plant spacing. No differences were found in juice yields across densities, and the only difference found in total dry biomass was at the highest plant density. Results from the harvest date study indicate that sweet sorghum harvest should be delayed until at least the grain soft dough stage and can be continued for at least 10 days after a killing freeze without a yield penalty. Delaying harvest allowed for an increase in total dry matter and fermentable carbohydrates without a decrease in juice yield. Two studies were conducted at two dryland locations in northcentral and northeast Kansas in 2008 and 2009 to determine the effects of plant density on photoperiod sensitive sorghum yields, with an additional study to determine the effects of winter weathering. Photoperiod sensitive sorghum was found to be similarly insensitive to plant density, with few differences found in total dry biomass yield. Yields were found to decrease significantly due to winter weathering. A final study was conducted to examine a variety of sorghums as biofuel feedstocks. Photoperiod sensitive sorghum yielded the greatest in 2008 while sweet sorghum yielded less. In 2009, sweet and photoperiod sensitive sorghum yielded less than the cultivar TAMUXH08001. Sweet sorghum yields are generally the greatest with 'M81E' and when harvested after soft dough. Yields of both sorghums are occasionally influenced by plant density.

Economic Feasibility of Growing Sorghum as a Bioenergy Crop

Economic Feasibility of Growing Sorghum as a Bioenergy Crop PDF Author: Michelle E. Estes
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Languages : en
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The purpose of this research is to evaluate and gain a better understanding of the economic feasibility of Kansas farmers growing energy sorghum for biofuel production. The net returns for 11 crop systems that included a no-till or reduced-till option and the rotations involved wheat, grain sorghum, dual-purpose sorghum, and photoperiod sensitive sorghum were simulated in SIMETAR© developed by Richardson, Shumann, and Feldman (2004) using historical data on yields and prices. The price and yield data originates from an agronomic study conducted in Hesston, KS. The biomass yields for the 3 varieties of sorghum are based on experimental work performed in Manhattan, KS. The sorghum biomass prices were obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service. Costs for the crop systems are based on the 2014 Kansas State University Herbicide handbook (Thompson et al. 2014), Dhuyvetter, O'Brien, and Tonsor (2014), and Dhuyvetter (2014). The net returns were simulated under five contract scenarios including: a Spot Market contract, a Minimum Price contract, a BCAP Price contract, and 2 levels of the Gross Revenue Guarantee contracts - 60% and 100%. Risk analysis was performed on the simulated net returns through use of the Excel add-in SIMETAR©. Stochastic efficiency analysis was used to evaluate the systems based on the distribution of net returns and risk preferences. The findings are summarized around three important factors influencing farmers' economic feasibility of growing sorghum for biofuel use: crop systems, risk preferences, and contract specification. Results indicate that the no-till wheat and dual-purpose sorghum crop system without biomass production has the lowest costs and the no-till wheat and photoperiod sensitive sorghum system has the highest production cost. The crop systems that have a no-till option allow for the highest grain and biomass yields. Also, crop systems rotated with wheat are more preferred among producers due to higher net returns. The NTWDPS With system under the BCAP Price contract has the highest net returns and is highest in preference. The findings indicate that the risk aversion does affect the decision to produce sorghum for biofuel, but the effect is not very significant. In terms of contract specification, the results indicate that for Kansas producers, the BCAP Price contract will offer the highest net returns. These findings contribute additional insight on factors affecting Kansas farmers' economic feasibility of producing sorghum for biofuel and can have important implications for biofuel industry actors and policy makers.

Water Management and Consumptive Use by Irrigated Grain Sorghum in Western Kansas

Water Management and Consumptive Use by Irrigated Grain Sorghum in Western Kansas PDF Author: Jack T. Musick
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Category : Irrigation efficiency
Languages : en
Pages : 20

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Essays on Kansas Farmers' Willingness to Adopt Alternative Energy Crops and Conservation Practices

Essays on Kansas Farmers' Willingness to Adopt Alternative Energy Crops and Conservation Practices PDF Author: Jason Edward Fewell
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Languages : en
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The adoption of new technologies on-farm is affected by socio-economic, risk management behavior, and market factors. The adoption of cellulosic biofuel feedstock enterprises and conservation practices plays an important role in the future of Kansas agriculture. No set markets currently exist for bioenergy feedstocks and farmers may be reluctant to produce the feedstocks without contracts to mitigate uncertainty and risk. Adoption of conservation practices to improve soil productivity and health may be affected by risk considerations also. The purpose of this dissertation is to study how market mechanisms and risk influence Kansas farmers' willingness to adopt cellulosic biofuel feedstock enterprises and conservation practices on-farm. The first essay examines farmers' willingness to grow switchgrass under contract using a stated choice approach. Data were collected using an enumerated survey of Kansas farmers and analyzed using latent class logistic regression models. Farmers whose primary enterprise is livestock are less inclined to grow switchgrass. In addition, shorter contracts, greater harvest flexibility, crop insurance, and cost-share assistance increase the likelihood farmers will grow switchgrass. The second essay examines how farmers' risk perceptions impact conservation practice adoption. Factor analysis of survey data was used to identify primary risk management behaviors of Kansas farmers. A multinomial logit model of conservation practice adoption incorporating these risk behaviors was developed. Estimation results indicate that different risk management factors may have no significant impact on practice adoption. Farmers may not consider certain aspects of risk significant in their adoption decision. The third essay examines the effect of different risk management behaviors on farmers' willingness to produce alternative cellulosic bioenergy feedstocks under contract. Data were collected using a farmer survey with a set of stated choice experiments and analyzed using factor analysis and latent class logistic regression models. While farmers approach risk management differently, the risk management behaviors identified have no significant impact on farmers' willingness to produce corn stover and switchgrass but have a negative impact on farmers' willingness to produce sweet sorghum as a biofuel feedstock. These results may indicate that farmers are indifferent toward adopting new bioenergy cropping enterprises when traditional crop production is profitable and more certain.

Sorghums for Kansas

Sorghums for Kansas PDF Author: A. F. Swanson
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Category : Sorghum
Languages : en
Pages : 63

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Growing Sorghums in Kansas

Growing Sorghums in Kansas PDF Author: William Max Ross
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Category : Agriculture
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Sorghum Improvement as Biofuel Feedstock

Sorghum Improvement as Biofuel Feedstock PDF Author: Jayfred Gaham Villegas Godoy
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Languages : en
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Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is listed as one of the potential feedstock sources for biofuel production. While sorghum grain can be fermented into ethanol in a similar way as maize, the greatest potential of the crop is based on its massive biomass and sugar rich juices. Thus development of the crop as alternative energy source requires improvement of these traits. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the mode of inheritance of traits related to ethanol production and identify suitable genetic sources for use in breeding programs, and (2) to evaluate the potential of low lignin mutations for biomass feedstock production and assess biotic stress risks associated with deployment of the mutations. The study consisted of three related experiments: (i) estimating the combining ability of selected sweet and high biomass sorghum genotypes for biofuel traits and resistance to stalk lodging, (ii) determine the impact of brown mid-rib mutations on biofuel production and their reaction to infection by Macrophomina phaseolina and Fusarium thapsinum, and (iii) assess the reaction of low lignin mutants to green bug feeding. In the first experiment six sorghum genotypes of variable characteristics (PI193073, PI257602, PI185672, PI195754, SC382 and SC373) were crossed to three standard seed parent lines ATx3042, ATx623 and ATx399. The resulting hybrids and the parents were evaluated at four locations, three replications during 2009 and 2010 seasons. Data were collected on phenology, plant height, juice yield, °brix score and biomass production. In the second experiment, two brown mid-rib mutations (bmr6 and bmr12) and their normal versions were studied in four forage sorghum backgrounds (Atlas, Early Hegari, Kansas Collier and Rox Orange). The experiment was planted in four replications and at 14 d after flowering five plants in a plot were artificially infected with F. thapsinum and another five with M. phaseolina. The plants were harvested and rated for disease severity (lesion length and nodes crossed). Another five normal plants in each plot were harvested and used to determine biofuel traits (juice yield, °brix score and biomass). In the third experiment, a subset of entries evaluated in experiment II and three tolerant and susceptible checks were tested for greenbug feeding damage. Biotype K greenbug colony was inoculated to each genotype using double sticky foam cages. Feeding damage was assessed as percent chlorophyll loss using SPAD meter. There was significant general combining ability (GCA) effect among the male entries for juice yield, stem obrix and biomass production indicating that these traits are controlled by additive genes. Lines PI257602 and PI185672 in particular, had the highest GCA for all the traits and should serve as excellent breeding materials. There was no significant difference among the bmr mutants and between the bmr and normal genotypes for both stalk rot and greenbug damage. In conclusion, juice yield, °brix and biomass are largely controlled by additive genes and hence are amenable to genetic manipulation. The bmr mutations despite their impact on lignin content do not increase risk of attack by stalk rot pathogens and greenbugs and thus can be deployed for biofuel production without incurring losses to these factors.

Winter Cover Crops in Corn and Forage Sorghum Rotations in the Great Plains

Winter Cover Crops in Corn and Forage Sorghum Rotations in the Great Plains PDF Author: Oliver W. Freeman (II.)
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Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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In Kansas, winter cover crops have a new interest with the development of summer crops for biofuel. When a crop is harvested for bioenergy, the residue is removed leaving the soil prone to erosion during the winter. It is possible that the use of winter cover crops may allow for more residue to remain in a field while keeping the soil from blowing. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine the effect of two winter cover crops on the growth of two biofuel crops, corn (Zea mays L.) and forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in a corn-forage sorghum rotation. The two cover crops were a legume, Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum var. arvense Poir.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Control plots were fallowed. The experiment was done for two years (2010 and 2011) at two locations: under rain-fed conditions in Manhattan in the northeastern part of Kansas, where the soil was a Belvue silt loam (coarse-silty, mixed superactive non-acid, mesic Typic Udifluvents) and under irrigated conditions in Tribune in the western part of Kansas, where the soil was a Richfield silt loam (fine, smectitic, mesic Aridic Argiustolls). Two levels of nitrogen were added to the soil: 0 and 101 kg ha−1 N. Grain and stover yields of the corn and forage sorghum were determined at harvest of the crops in the fall, and dry matter production of the cover crops was determined at their termination in the springs of 2011 and 2012. Additional nitrogen fertilizer increased grain and stover yields in both growing seasons at both locations, except for Manhattan in 2010. During the second winter of the study, Austrian winter pea did not emerge in Manhattan, probably due to a combination of cold temperatures and drought. Austrian winter pea survived both winters at Tribune. Corn yielded more grain than did the forage sorghum in Manhattan in 2011 and in Tribune in 2011. This suggests that, under both rain-fed and irrigated conditions in Kansas, corn would potentially be more productive for bioenergy production than forage sorghum. The results of the study also showed that winter wheat for both Manhattan, Kansas, and Tribune, Kansas, should be the cover crop chosen, because of its ability to grow well during the off-season of the bioenergy crops and to provide soil cover during winter.

Integrated Pest Management of Noctuids in Kansas Sorghum

Integrated Pest Management of Noctuids in Kansas Sorghum PDF Author: Alysha Marie Soper
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Languages : en
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Several lepidopteran species infest developing panicles. Larval identification is challenging and time intensive, so current recommendations are often simplified by treating all larvae equally across species. Consequently, the yield-loss model developed for corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) by Buckley and Burkhardt (1962) has been the foundation for management recommendations in modern sorghum Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs for the last 49 years. Additionally, although pest populations primarily include both fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and corn earworm, only a single species damage estimate is used in economic threshold (ET) and economic injury level (EIL) calculations despite multi-species infestations. This research demonstrates both the validation of current management recommendations for corn earworm and the verification of previously assumed damage potentials for fall armyworm feeding in developing sorghum panicles. These results have important implications for sorghum producers faced with making a management decision for multi-species infestations.

Biofuel Crops Cultivation & Management Jatropha Sweet Sorghum & Sugarbect

Biofuel Crops Cultivation & Management Jatropha Sweet Sorghum & Sugarbect PDF Author: Vairavan K.
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ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 150

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