Evaluation of sorghum hybrids for biomass and biogas production.

Biogas from biomass is a promising renewable energy source and its importance is increasing increased in European countries. The biomass of 14 sorghum cultivars (Bovital, Branko, Cerberus, GK Csaba, Goliath, Inka, Lussi, KSH 6301, Maja, Silage king, Super Sile 15, Super Sile 18, Super Sile 20 and Superdolce 1) and 1 maize cultivar (Agrogas) were included in field experiments carried out at the experimental station Gross-Gerau and Giessen experimental stations during 2009. The contents of protein, sugar, starch, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, and acid detergent lignin in each sorghum sample were determined using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. The volume of biogas was measured by using a Gas Wet Ritter. A non-dispersive Infrared (NDIR) sensor (GS IRM-100) was used to measure the concentration of methane. Briefly indicate how the study was conducted. The Cerberus and Goliath cultivars produced significantly higher biomass yields compared to other cultivars studied at both experimental stations. The cultivars and sites differed significantly in the chemical composition of the sorghum biomass. The lowest lignin content was exhibited by cv. Branko while Maja achieved the highest lignin content followed by Goliath and Cerberus. Maize cv. Agrogas produced the highest biogas yield of 720 nL/kg volatile solid, compared to the sorghum cultivars. Among the sorghum cultivars, Branko achieved the maximum specific biogas yield followed by Super Sile 15, Super Sile 20, and Super Sile 18. The highest biogas yields per ha was produced by maize cv. Agrogas, followed by sorghum cv. Lussi, Cerberus, and Branko. Therefore, cultivars having higher biomass and specific methane yields should be selected to maximize methane yield per ha. The biogas and methane yields of some of the tested cultivars, such as Maja, Lussi, Branko, Supersile 20, KSH 6301 and Supersile, are comparable to that of maize. Hence, it can be concluded that sorghum can be used as an alternative to maize for energy production.

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