Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Natural Resources

First Advisor

Reddy, M. R. Dr.

Abstract

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moenich) is a promising alternative energy crop. Biophysical crop models are advanced agronomic tools designed to predict crop growth for given conditions and to supplement field experiments. No crop model has been developed for sweet sorghum. Adapting the existing grain sorghum model is a good approach to develop a dedicated sweet sorghum model. Our experiment was conducted at the NC A&T research farm in 2010 and 2011, designed with a split plot and strip plot method, respectively. These experiments included two varieties (Dale and M81-E) and four fertilizer rates (0,168-56-168, 84- 28-84-soysoap, 168-56-168-soysoap of N-P2O5-K2O kg ha-1 ) in each year. In 2010, sweet sorghum variety M81-E had greater yields of tops fresh weight and cane fresh weight than variety Dale. In 2011, biweekly observations of growth parameters were recorded to provide data for modification of existing grain sorghum model. In 2011, all fertilizer treatments produced greater yields of tops fresh weight and cane fresh weight than the zero fertilizer control (α=0.05). Sweet sorghum observed growth rates were greater in all fertilized treatments compared with the zero fertilizer control. The grain sorghum model simulation data did not accurately reflect observed sweet sorghum data at estimated genetic coefficients. More specific output parameter strings, such as sugar yield, need to be create in model growth subroutines. Additional experimental data is needed from multiple locations and for more than 2 years data for model development.

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