Sweet Sorghum Varieties for Total Soluble Sugar and Grains under Tarlac Conditions

Abstract

Sweet sorghum has high potential as an alternative source of bio-ethanol and feed for livestock. This study was undertaken to test sweet sorghum varieties for total soluble sugar and grain production; determine their agronomic characteristics in relation to total fermentable sugar; and to recommend varieties that are suitable for total soluble sugar and grain production. Five sweet sorghum varieties were tested during the dry season under the Tarlac Agricultural Universitys experimental area condition including NTJ 2, ICSR 93034, SPV 422, ICSV 93046, and ICSV 700. Results revealed that NTJ 2, ICSR 93034, and SPV 422 flowered and matured earlier. These varieties had bigger seed size and higher grain yield than ICSV 93046 and ICSV 700. Hence, they are promising varieties for grain production. Higher stalk and stripped yield, stalk juice yield, volume, and sugar content were also obtained from ICSV 93046 and ICSV 700 compared to the other varieties tested. Hence, these said varieties promising for total soluble sugar production in Tarlac.