Nutrient and carbohydrate partitioning in sorghum stover

Journal Article · · Agronomy Journal; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1991.00021962008300060003x· OSTI ID:7007522

Powell, J M; Hons, F M; McBee, G G ^[1]

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1. Texas A and M Univ., College Station (United States)

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] stover has been demonstrated to be a potential biomass energy source. Complete aboveground crop removal, however, can result in soil degradation. Differential dry matter, nutrient, and carbohydrate partitioning by sorghum cultivars may allow management strategies that return certain parts to the field while removing other portions for alternative uses, such as energy production. A field study was conducted to determine N,P,K, nonstructural carbohydrate, cellulose hemicellulose, and lignin distributions in stover of three diverse sorghum cultivars of differing harvest indices. Determinations were based on total vegetative biomass; total blades; total stalks; and upper middle, and lower blades and stalks. Concentrations of N and P were higher in blades than stalks and generally declines from upper to lower stover parts. Large carbohydrate and lignin concentration differences were observed on the basis of cultivar and stover part. Greater nutrient partitioning to the upper third of the intermediate and forage-type sorghum stovers was observed as compared to the conventional grain cultivar. Stover carbohydrates for all cultivars were mainly contained in the lower two-thirds of the stalk fraction. A system was proposed for returning upper stover portion to soil, while removing remaining portions for alternative uses.

• OSTI ID: 7007522
• Journal Information: Agronomy Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Agronomy Journal; (United States) Vol. 83:6; ISSN 0002-1962; ISSN AGJOAT
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
095000* -- Biomass Fuels-- Environmental Aspects-- (1990-)
ALKALI METALS
BIOMASS
CARBOHYDRATES
CELLULOSE
CEREALS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
GRAMINEAE
GROWTH
HARVESTING
LIGNIN
LILIOPSIDA
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
METALS
NITRATES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
NUTRIENTS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORUS
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
POLYSACCHARIDES
POTASSIUM
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SACCHARIDES
SOIL CHEMISTRY
SOILS
SORGHUM