Row spacing, plant density, sowing and harvest times for sweet sorghum

Abstract

Along with sugarcane, which is the main crop used for ethanol production, the sweet sorghum is a promising agronomic and industrial alternative for cultivation in water-stress regions. This study aimed at assessing the row spacing (0.70 m, 0.80 m and 0.90 m) and plant density (80,000 plants ha-1; 100,000 plants ha-1; 120,000 plants ha-1; and 140,000 plants ha-1) for the BRS 511 sorghum cultivar, combined with sowing and harvest times. A split-plot experimental design, in complete randomized blocks, with four replications, was used. The analyzed variables were plant height, stem diameter, shoot fresh and dry matter, broth volume and total soluble solids (ºBrix). The results showed isolated effects of plant density on plant height and stem diameter, as well as effects of row spacing on total fresh mass and broth volume. The most efficient productive effect for the sweet sorghum was observed in populations lower than 120,000 plants ha-1 and row spacing inferior to 0.80 m, associated with harvest at 120 days after sowing.

Keywords

• Sorghum bicolor
• plant spatial arrangement
• planting density