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Sweet Sorghum Blog

The LSU AgCenter is conducting a statewide evaluation of sweet sorghum for use as a biofuel crop. Emphasis is being placed on identifying the best varieties, developing appropriate fertilize protocols, learning when best to plant and harvest, and determining the feasibility of growing two crops from one planting (ratooning). Field data will be used to conduct an economic analysis to determine cost of production.

Faculty and locations:

Sonny Viator - Iberia Research Station (Lead Scientist)

Jerry Whatley – County Agent Calcasieu Parish and Allen Hogan – County Agent Jeff Davis Parish - Lacassine, Jeff Davis, South Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, and Kinder, Allen Parish.

Dustin Harrell – Rice Research Station

Wink Alison – Macon Ridge Research Station, Winnsboro

Buddy Pitman – Hill Farm Research Station, Homer

Kun-Jun Han – Southeast Research Station, Franklinton

Sweet sorghum blog from Iberia Research Station on September 15, 2008

All varieties of sweet sorghum remain completely recumbent two weeks after Hurricane Gustav, whereas, sugarcane has become considerably more erect. The inability of sweet sorghum to erect itself after lodging will make harvesting more difficult and losses will be greater.

Rice Research Station Sweet Sorghum blog - August 28, 2008

We began to harvest the Dale and Theis sweet sorghum varieties on July 24 and completed the harvest on the 25th. Only the Dale and Theis varieties were harvested on these dates because they reached harvest maturity before the M81-E and Topper varieties.

Rice Station Sweet Sroghum Blog 9-8-2008 continued

The N fertilizer treatments (0, 45, 90 and 135 lb/A) were applied as urea by hand just after each harvest date.

Sweet Sorghum Blog from Iberia Research Station on August 26, 2008

Sweet Sorghum Blog from Iberia Research Station on August 26, 2008

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Lacassine Sweet Sorghum Site - August 7, 2008

Lacassine sweet sorghum site.

Sweet Sorghum Blog from Iberia on August 6, 2008

The three sweet sorghum varieties being evaluated are relatively close in maturity.

Sweet Sorghum Test Plot Update from Winnsboro - July 29, 2008

Sweet sorghum growth response to nitrogen rate is evident from this photo taken in late July 2008.

Lake Charles Sweet Sorghum Plot Updates - August 1, 2008

Lake Charles Sweet Sorghum Plot Updates - August 1, 2008 from County Agents Jerry Whatley and Allen Hogan.

Rice Station Sweet Sorghum Test Plot July 14, 2008

The sweet sorghum varieties M-81E and Topper just began heading early this week (July 14).

Sweet sorghum variety test at the Southeast Research Station.

Overview of sweet sorghum variety test at the Southeast Research Station.

Sweet sorghum research progress (Southeast Research Station, Franklinton, LA) - July 21, 2008

Currently, Southeast Research Station is conducting two sweet sorghum studies.

Sweet Sorghum at Hill Farm Research Station July 18, 2008

Following a period with good growing conditions for the past couple of weeks, moisture stress conditions are beginning to affect sweet sorghum growth for the second time this growing season at the Hill Farm Research Station.

Iberia Research Station Sweet Sorghum Blog for July 18, 2008

Post-directed chemicals have been used to provide weed control in our sweet sorghum plots.

Iberia Station Update - June 27, 2008

The best plots at the Iberia Research Station are about 8 feet tall and varietal differences in height and plant population are evident.

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