CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND METHANE YIELD OF SORGHUM AS INFLUENCED BY PLANTING METHODS AND CULTIVARS
M. U. Hassan1, M. U. Chattha1, M. B. Chattha2, A. Mahmood1,3 and S. T. Sahi4
1Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 2Agricultural Sciences University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; 3Punjab Bioenergy Institute (PBI), University of the Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
4Department of Plant Pathology, University of the Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Corresponding author’s email: umer1379@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Bio-fuel produced by plant biomass is considered to be cheap, sustainable and more environmental friend owing to lower green house gas emissions. Management considerations including sowing method and suitable cultivar have considerable effect on the biomass yield which in turns influences the bio-fuel yield. Field experiments were executed during 2016 and 2017 to determine the impact of sowing methods and cultivars on biomass yield, composition and methane yield. The experiments were designed in randomized compete block design in split plot arrangement with sowing methods (broadcasting, line, bed and ridge sowing) in main plot and sorghum cultivars (Hagari and JS-2002) in sub-plot. Results revealed better performance of ridge sowing for LAI, LAD, CGR, dry matter yield and methane yield ha-1 as compared to other sowing methods. Moreover, the all sowing methods exhibited comparable protein, sugar, acid detergent, and neutral detergent fiber, lignin and ash contents. Amongst cultivars Hagari exhibited higher LAI, LAD, CGR, plant height, leaves per plant, diameter yield, protein, ADF, NDF, lignin concentration and methane yield ha-1 basis as compared to the JS-2002. It may be concluded that sowing on ridges would produce higher dry matter yield resulting in higher methane production per unit area. Moreover, Hagari is promising cultivar owing to higher dry matter production for maximizing its potential for methane production.
Keyword: Sowing methods, Cultivars, Biomass quality, Methane yield.
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