This study examines the feasibility of producing sweet sorghum as an ethanol feedstock in Mississippi. An enterprise budgeting system is used along with estimates of transportation costs to estimate farmers’ breakeven costs for producing and delivering sweet sorghum biomass. This breakeven cost for the farmer, along with breakeven costs for the producer based on wholesale ethanol price, production costs, and transportation and marketing costs for the refined ethanol, is used to estimate the amounts that farmers and ethanol producers would be willing to accept (WTA) and willing to pay (WTP), respectively, for sweet sorghum biomass. These WTA and WTP estimates are analyzed by varying key factors in the biomass and ethanol production processes. Deterministic and stochastic models are used to estimate profits for sweet sorghum and competing crops in two representative counties in Mississippi, with sweet sorghum consistently yielding negative per-acre profits in both counties.

No description available.

The growth and development of two sorghum drought tolerant genotypes BTx642 (post-flowering drought tolerant, “stay green”) and RTx7000 (pre-flowering drought tolerant) were characterized and compared. Differences in phenology and the growth and development of leaves and stalks were identified that could contribute to variation in shoot biomass, grain yield and response to water deficit. An F12 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the two parents was genotyped using the Illumina Genome Analyzer II platform and the information used to generate a genetic map useful for analysis of quantitative trait loci (QTL). Seventy-two different traits were measured in the RIL population at anthesis and at grain maturity. Plants were grown in well-watered environments in greenhouse conditions and in field conditions near College Station, TX in 2008-2010. QTL mapping was used to analyze the genetic basis of trait variation in the population and to detect associations between traits. A total of 477 QTL were identified that in combination modulate leaf size (length, width, and area), shoot biomass accumulation (shoot, stalk, stem, leaf, and leaf sheath), panicle weight, root size and architecture (length, surface area, and volume, number of tips, forks and nodal roots, and root biomass), stalk and stem length, and flowering time. Six flowering time QTL were identified and variation in time to anthesis affected the expression of several other traits including leaf size and biomass accumulation. However, QTL infrequently had an impact on traits associated with different organs. The specificity observed is consistent with independent genetic control of traits associated with leaves, stems and roots. Nine QTL that modulated shoot biomass accumulation were detected that were not affected by flowering time. Of these, four shoot biomass QTL co-localized with leaf size traits. Eight QTL for panicle biomass were detected with two coincident with QTL for upper leaf size. A QTL for leaf width at anthesis was found to co-localize with a stay green locus.

In Africa, the grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), is malted to provide the most important ingredient in brewing, malt, which is used primarily for the production of traditional (opaque) sorghum beer. Malting is the germination of cereal grain in moist air under controlled conditions, the primary objective being to promote the development of hydrolytic enzymes which are not present in the ungerminated grain. The malting process can be physically split into three distinct unit operations (viz. steeping, germination and drying). To date, little attention has been given to optimising the conditions of steeping for sorghum. The effects of different steeping variables (time, temperature and aeration) on the quality (in terms of diastatic power (amylase activity), free amino nitrogen and hot water extract) of sorghum malt for brewing were investigated. Malt quality was found to increase with steeping time, over the range 16-40 hours and the optimum steeping temperature was found to be in the range 25 to 30°C. Aeration during steeping appeared to be necessary to maximise the malt quality, particularly when steeping was conducted for long periods at high temperatures. Of particular significance was the observation that final sorghum malt quality was highly significantly correlated (p<0.01) with grain moisture content at steep-out (the end of the imbibition period). When steeping conditions based on these findings were used, a germination temperature of 25-30°C was found to be optimal for sorghum malt quality. As with steep-out moisture, green malt (grain after the specified germination time) moisture content was correlated Significantly (p<0.01) with final sorghum malt quality. The finding that sorghum malt quality is related to steepout moisture content was given further substance when it was shown that the stimulatory effect on sorghum malt quality of steeping sorghum in a dilute solution of alkali, actually increases the amount of water taken up during steeping probably because the alkali disrupted the pericarp cell wall structure of the grain. Barley malting practices have taken advantage of the knowledge that the exogenous application of gibberellic acid can enhance the synthesis of the critically important malt hydrolytic enzyme, a-amylase. To date, literature on the effect of exogenous application of gibberellic acid on sorghum malt quality has been inconclusive; with reports both of no effects, and of positive effects, on amylase activity. To elucidate the possible control mechanisms involved in sorghum germination, a combined HPLC-radioimmunoassay technique was used to determine the levels of selected plant growth regulators from the groups auxin, cytokinins, gibberellins and abscisic acid in sorghum at various stages of germination. Levels of gibberellic acid were low throughout germination. During germination the levels of the other plant growth regulators declined, but a peak in cytokinins followed the first visible signs of root protrusion. The high level of the germination inhibitor and gibberellic acid antagonist, abscisic acid, in the germ (embryo inclusive of scutellum) portion of the mature non-germinated grains was noteworthy. Based on these findings, it was determined that sorghum malt quality could in fact be improved significantly by the application of exogenous gibberellic acid. However, this was effective only if it was administered during the end of steeping or at the beginning of the germination step. By optimising the conditions of steeping and germination and by steeping in dilute NaOH or in gibberellic acid not only should it be possible to enhance the quality of sorghum malt, it should be possible to reduce the time required to obtain the specific quality, thereby offering a saving to the sorghum maltster in terms of operation costs and enhancing the total throughput possible from the malting plant. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1997.

Thesis (MScFoodSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The potential malting, brewing and antiyeast characteristics of twelve selected sorghum cultivars from Zambia (MMSH 375, 625, 707, 1038, 1077, 1194, 1257, 1356, 1363, 1365, 1376 and 1401) was evaluated. This was done through the determination of tannin content, proximate composition, %germinative energy (%GE), micro-structure, diastatic power (DP) and free amino nitrogen (FAN); as well as the antiyeast activity of N-containing compounds for each cultivar. All cultivars were tannin-free and thus suitable for brewing potential exploration. Seven cultivars (MMSH-375, 625, 1038, 1194, 1257, 1401 and 1376) had a %GE considered appropriate for malting and brewing. A maximum of 25% of the DP level recommended for commercial malting was achieved in this study. In spite of the low DP observed in all cultivars after malting, high extract levels ranging between 18.7 and 25.5˚P were achieved. In unmalted grains a significantly FAN level (p≤0.05) was observed in three cultivars (MMSH-375, 1194 and 1077). These FAN values, however, represented less than 10% of the recommended FAN level necessary to support proper yeast functioning during wort fermentation. The 150 mg/L threshold which is necessary to support proper yeast function and is employed in modern day brewing was achieved in malts of sorghum cultivars MMSH-375 (intermediate cultivar) and 1401 (intermediate cultivar). A FAN level between 100 and 140 mg/L, which is considered enough to support optimal fermentation, was achieved in cultivars MMSH-625 (intermediate cultivar), 1077 (hard cultivar), 1194 (intermediate cultivar), 1356 (soft cultivar) and 1376 (intermediate cultivar) after malting. Mashing did not significantly increase FAN levels in all sorghum cultivars. The addition of potassium metabisulphite (KMS) in the mash did, however, lead to a further increase of FAN levels in all cultivars. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that the corneous endosperm was inaccessible to degradation by enzymes and only the soft endosperm was modified in all cultivars during malting. The N-containing compounds from selected malts of sorghum cultivars with good malting and brewing potential (MMSH-375, 625, 1401 and 1194) were isolated and their antiyeast activity was determined. It was found that the N-containing compounds were playing an essential role during fermentation by contributing positively towards yeast growth in all four cultivars. However, a 20-30% reduced growth at the lower concentrations of the putative %yeast growth promoting N-containing compounds was observed in all cultivars. Irrespective of the reduced %yeast growth observed in all four cultivars at low concentrations of the putative yeast growth N-containing compounds, it could not be concluded that the sorghum cultivars utilised in this study possess antimicrobial peptides and proteins because only small compounds (<1 kDa) were detected with UPLC-MS. The dose-response data showed that extracts of MMSH-375 and MMSH-625 resulted in generally a higher %yeast growth when compared to other cultivars. The UPLC-MS also confirmed the dose response data that MMSH-375 has a better qualitative yeast-feeding value. MMSH-375 is thus rated as the best cultivar out of the four that were screened and is recommended to be use in the commercial production of sorghum lager beer. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die potensiële mout, brou en teen-gis eienskappe van twaalf geselekteerde Zambiese sorghum kultivars (MMSH 375, 625, 707, 1038, 1077, 1194, 1257, 1356, 1363, 1365, 1376 en 1401) was geëvalueer. Dit is gedoen deur die bepaling van tannien inhoud, proksimale samestelling, % ontkiemings energie (%OE), mikrostruktuur, diastatiese krag (DK) en vrye amino stikstof (VAS) inhoud; sowel as die teen-gis aktiwiteit van stikstofbevattende verbindings vir elke kultivar. Alle kultivars was tannien vry en dus geskik om te ondersoek vir brou potensiaal. Sewe kultivars (MMSH 375, 625, 1038, 1194, 1257, 1401 en 1376) het ‘n %OE geskik vir mouting en brouery gehad. ‘n Maksimum van 25% van die voorgestelde DK vlak vir kommersiële brouery was gevind in hierdie studie. Hoë ekstrak vlakke van tussen 18.7 en 25.5˚P is gevind, ten spyte van die lae DK wat gevind is in alle kultivars na mouting. ‘n Betekenisvolle VAS vlak (p≤0.05) was gevind in die ongemoute graankorrels van drie kultivars (MMSH 375, 1194 en 1077). Hierdie VAS vlakke was egter minder as 10% van die voorgestelde VAS vlakke benodig om gis funksie te ondersteun tydens fermentasie. Die 150 mg/L drumpelwaarde benodig vir korrekte gis funksie en gebruik in moderne brouery is bereik in gemoute sorghum kultivars MMSH 375 (intermediêre kultivar) en 1401 (intermediêre kultivar). ‘n VAS vlak van tussen 100 en 140 mg/L, gereken as genoegsaam vir optimal fermentasie, was bereik in kultivar MMSH 625 (intermediêre kultivar), 1077 (harde kultivar), 1194 (intermediêre kultivar), 1356 (sagte kultivar) en 1376 (intermediêre kultivar) na mouting. Warm water weking het nie die VAS vlakke in die sorghum kultivars betekenisvol verhoog nie. Die byvoeging van kalium metabisulfiet (KMS) tot die weekvloeistof het egter gelei tot ‘n verdere verhoging van VAS vlakke in alle kultivars. Skandering elektronmikrograwe het aangedui dat die growwe endosperm ontoeganklik is vir ensiematiese afbraak en dat slegs die sagte endosperm van alle kultivars veranderinge ondergaan het tydens mouting. Die stikstofbevattende verbindings van die gemoute sorghum kultivars geselekteer op grond van hul goeie mout en brou potensiaal (MMSH 375, 625, 1401 en 1194) was geïsoleer en hul teen-gis aktiwiteit was bepaal. Daar was bevind dat die stikstofbevattende verbindings ‘n noodsaaklike rol speel tydens fermentasie deur ‘n positiewe bydrae tot gisgroei te maak in al vier kultivars. Verminderde groei (20-30%) was egter opgelet by laer konsentrasies van die vermeende groei-bevorderende stikstofbevattende verbindings in alle kultivars. Ten spyte van hierdie verminderde gisgroei by lae konsentrasies kon daar nie afgelei word dat die sorghum kultivars gebruik in hierdie studie wel antimikrobiese peptiede en proteïne bevat nie aangesien slegs klein verbindings (<1 kDa) waargeneem word met UPLC-MS. Die dosis-respons data het aangedui dat ekstrakte van MMSH 375 en 625 oor die algemeen gelei het tot hoër gisgroei in vergelyking met ander kultivars. UPLC-MS het ook bevestig dat MMSH 375 ‘n beter kwalitatiewe gisvoedingswaarde het. MMSH 375 word dus gereken as die beste kultivar uit die vier gekeurde kultivars en word aanbeveel vir gebruik in die kommersiële produksie van sorghum lager bier.

Whole grain and bran samples of two Malawian sorghums, Phatafuli, (a brown-coloured condensed tannin variety) and Shabalala, (a white-coloured condensed tannin-free variety) were analysed for their content of total phenols, condensed tannins and antioxidant activities. The effect of oxidizing conditions during extraction, and the storage stability of a freeze-dried crude phenolic extract (CPE) from the condensed tannin sorghum bran as influenced by packaging, storage temperature and length of storage, in relation to its content of total phenols, condensed tannins and antioxidant activity was also investigated. Antioxidant activity of the CPE, in comparison with tertiary butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), was then evaluated in sunflower oil at concentrations of 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm in the absence or presence of ferric ions at 2.2 and 4.4 ppm in the dark at 65oC.Progression of oxidation was monitored by measurement of peroxide values (PV) and anisidine values (AV) during a 14-day storage period. Phatafuli contained higher content of total phenols and antioxidant activity than Shabalala both in the whole grain and the bran, probably due to the presence of condensed tannins in Phatafuli sorghum, which were not detected in Shabalala sorghum. For both sorghum varieties, the bran contained higher levels of total phenols and antioxidant activity than the whole grain, confirming that phenolic compounds in sorghum are largely concentrated in the bran. Antioxidant activities of the sorghum varieties correlated highly with their total phenol and condensed tannin contents, suggesting that the phenolic compounds were largely responsible for the antioxidant activities of the sorghum grains. Bubbling of oxygen into the liquid crude phenolic extract did not have any significant effect on the parameters tested. Similarly, vacuum-packed samples did not differ significantly in the parameters tested from the samples that were not vacuum-packed. CPE samples stored at –20oC had significantly higher levels of total phenols, condensed tannins and antioxidant activity than those stored at 25oC during some days of storage. Storage time was however the major factor influencing the levels of total phenols, condensed tannins and antioxidant activity of the CPE from Phatafuli sorghum during storage, which suggested that CPE from condensed tannin sorghum bran might need to be used shortly after extraction to ensure optimum antioxidant activity. There was an insignificant correlation between the antioxidant activities of the CPE and their phenolic contents during storage, which could have been due to the formation of new compounds with a lower antioxidant capacity. The CPE inhibited oxidation of sunflower oil as shown by lower peroxide values and anisidine values compared to control samples. The CPE was however less effective in reducing peroxide values compared to TBHQ, but was similar to TBHQ in reducing anisidine values. In the presence of ferric ions, the CPE appeared to be less effective in reducing peroxide values compared to TBHQ, but appeared to be more effective than TBHQ in reducing anisidine values. The results showed that the tannin sorghum bran CPE appeared to act as both lipid radical scavengers and metal chelators. The CPE however imparted colour to the sunflower oil, which could limit its application as a natural antioxidant in edible oils. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric) Food Science and Technology)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Food Science / unrestricted

In the breeding of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolour L. Moench) towards improved nutrition and agronomic performance, new methodologies are required to increase genetic diversity and lower the inputs required to track and screen breeding populations. Near-infrared calibration models were developed by partial least squares (PLS) and test-set validation on 364 sorghum samples to predict crude protein and moisture content on whole-grain and milled flour samples. Models using milled flour spectra were more accurately predictive than those from whole grain spectra for all constituents (eg. Protein: R2 = 0.986 on flour vs R2 = 0.962 on whole grain). Discriminant calibrations were established to classify grain colour using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) based upon CIE L*a*b* reference values and visual ranking. Preliminary calibrations were developed for quantities of 18 amino acids, fat and apparent metabolisable energy (AME) on 40 samples using cross-validation, highlighting potential for reliable calibration for these parameters in sorghum. An investigation into the potential of 12C6+ heavy-ion beam mutagenesis of sorghum seed was undertaken by treatment at RIKEN Accelerator Research Facility (Saitama, Japan) and subsequent breeding at Ukulinga research farm and analysis at the Department of Plant Pathology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Dosage rates of 75, 100 and 150 Gy were compared in seven sorghum varieties to establish optimal dose treatments as determined by germination and survival rates, visible morphological changes and field data over two seasons of field trials. Crude protein variation within the M2 generation was analysed to compare dose rate effects. The need for higher dose rates was indicated by few quantified differences between treatments and control although good correlations between protein deviation and treatment dose rate were elucidated. Differences in varietal response suggest a need to optimize dose rate for specific varieties in future endeavours. In addition, all mutagenized populations were screened for crude protein content using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Significant differences in protein levels and standard deviations were observed between treated self-pollinated M2 generations and untreated control populations. Individual plants displaying significantly different protein levels were isolated. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is the third most important cereal food crop in Uganda. However, the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica severely constraints its production. The use of Striga resistant sorghum varieties may be one of the most feasible ways of managing the Striga problem. A series of studies were carried out with the overall objective to develop new sorghum genotypes that are resistant to Striga and high yielding in Eastern Uganda. Initially, a participatory rural appraisal (PRA) was carried out with the main objectives to study the current constraints faced by farmers in sorghum production and determine their preferences for new sorghum varieties. Secondly, fifty different African sorghum accessions were evaluated to determine phenotypic and genotypic variability for Striga resistance and identify suitable parents to be used in breeding for new Striga resistant and high yielding sorghum genotypes. Thirdly, a genetics study was conducted to determine gene action responsible for Striga resistance and sorghum yield in new sorghum genotypes. Finally, laboratory studies were carried out to identify specific mechanisms of Striga resistance available in new sorghum genotypes and their parents. During the PRA, Striga was identified as the main constraint limiting sorghum production in Eastern Uganda, followed by insect pests. Farmers indicated preference for red gain sorghum with erect and compact heads, a plant height of 1.5m and a maturity period of around three months, as well as Striga resistance and drought tolerance. From farmers’ own assessments, the individual field surveys and soil seed bank analyses that were carried out, the degree of Striga infestation in farmers’ fields was found to be high. Both phenotypic and genotypic factors contributed significantly to the variability observed among the African sorghum accessions with respect to Striga resistance and sorghum crop performance indicating that Striga resistance can be improved through selection. However, techniques that minimise environmental effects need to be employed in order to improve on heritability. The values for genetic coefficient of variation (GCV) and genetic advance (GA) indicated that genetic gain for Striga resistance could be achieved by selection based on area under Striga severity progress curve (AUSVPC), area under Striga number progress curve (AUSNPC) and individual Striga emergence counts. The sorghum accessions SRN39, Brhan, Framida, Gubiye, Wahi, P9407 and N13 were found to be resistant to Striga hermonthica. These accessions consistently showed low AUSNPC, AUSVPC, and individual Striga emergence, Striga vigour and severity indices. These accessions could be used as sources of Striga resistance genes when breeding for Striga resistance in sorghum. In the study to determine gene action responsible for Striga resistance and sorghum yield, significant genetic variation for Striga resistance and sorghum yield parameters was observed among the new sorghum genotypes and their parents. The sorghum parental lines: Brhan, SRN39, Hakika and Sekedo consistently had negative GCA effects for AUSNPC and AUSVPC, while SRN39 and Hakika additionally had negative GCA effects for Striga vigour, indicating that they were effective in transferring Striga resistance into their progeny. The new genotypes: SRS1608, SRS3408, SRS2408, SRS4609, SRS3108, SRS2908, SRS2609, SRS609 and SRS1708 had negative SCA effects for AUSNPC, AUSVPC and Striga vigour meaning that they were resistant to Striga. Sorghum parental lines: Sekedo, Brhan, Framida and Hakika had positive GCA effects for head length, meaning that they increased head length in their crosses. The genotypes: SRS3408, SRS5309, SRS1608 and SRS2908 derived from the above parents had the longest heads compared to other progenies, which were on average, 20% longer than their parents. The genotypes: SRS609, SRS1408, SRS2608 and SRS3408 were the highest grain yielders and yielded 11-51% better than the highest yielding parent (Sekedo) under the non Striga environment. The parental lines; Sekedo, Brhan and Framida had positive GCA effects for grain yield indicating that they could act as sources of genes for grain yield increase. The genotypes; SRS609, SRS4609 and SRS2908 had large positive SCA effects for grain yield. The relative contributions of GCA effects to the observed genotypic variances were 80.5%, 43.3%, 65%, 92.6% and 53.2% for AUSNPC, AUSVPC, Striga vigour, sorghum head length and plant height respectively. This shows that additive gene action was important in controlling Striga resistance, sorghum head length and plant height in the present sorghum populations. Laboratory studies aimed at investigating the specific mechanisms of Striga resistance available in new sorghum genotypes found that two new sorghum genotypes, SRS1608 and SRS1208 expressed both the low germination stimulant character and low haustoria initiation as mechanisms of resistance to S. hermonthica. The sorghum genotypes, SRS2808 and SRS1108, and two fixed lines, Brhan and Hakika expressed only the low germination stimulant character, while the genotypes, SRS608, SRS3408, SRS4109 and SRS2308 expressed only the low haustoria initiation mechanism. The inheritance patterns of the low germination stimulant character in the present sorghum genotypes varied. In some genotypes, it appeared to be controlled by a single gene while in others; it appeared to be controlled by more than one gene. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T15:14:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissertacaoLincolnGerke.pdf: 1910648 bytes, checksum: 6358009ffae74f406d3f40ede319052c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-27 / The sorghum was investigated as a food source to replace corn and alternative to sugar cane for ethanol production. Experimental in the State University of Paraná- UNIOESTE West station in Rondon-PR, with the hybrid ADV 2010, which was ensiled and processed with the same equipment already used in the processing of corn and sugarcane, produced a quantity of biomass that exceeded the volume of 165,000 kg of fresh weight per hectare in two sections with an ethanol production of 1,035 liters per hectare in the 1st section and 695 liters per hectare in regrowth, resulting in a cost of R$ 1.26 per liter produced in a rural property. The chemical composition of silage dry matter, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, ash and crude protein were relevant in the silage. The results showed that there is viability in producing ethanol from sweet sorghum in rural properties, an additional investment. The economic potential of the material, addition of ethanol and silage extends to the biomass, which can be used for other purposes, and food, can be dried and incorporated into animal feed (fiber) in digesters supply or production steam boilers. / O sorgo sacarino foi investigado como fonte de alimento em substituição ao milho e alternativa à cana de açúcar para a produção de etanol. Na Estação Experimental da Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná-UNIOESTE em Marechal Cândido Rondon-PR, com o híbrido ADV 2010, que foi ensilado e processado com os mesmos equipamentos já usados no processamento de milho e cana, produziu uma quantidade de biomassa que superou o volume de 165.000 kg de massa fresca por hectare em dois cortes, com uma produção de etanol de 1.035 litros por hectare no 1º corte e de 695 litros por hectare no rebrote, resultando num custo de R$ 1,26 por litro produzido em uma propriedade rural. A composição bromatológica da silagem em matéria seca, fibra em detergente ácido, fibra em detergente neutro, matéria mineral e proteína bruta mostraram-se relevantes nas silagens. Os resultados mostraram que há viabilidade em produzir etanol a partir do sorgo sacarino em propriedades rurais, mediante um investimento adicional. O potencial econômico do material, além da produção de etanol e silagem, se estende à biomassa, que pode ser usada para outros fins, além de alimentação, também pode ser secado e incorporado à rações (fibras), em alimentação de biodigestores ou produção de vapor em caldeiras.

The diploma thesis focuses on comparison of biomass production, dry matter of grain sorghum and sweet content. Four hybrids of sweet sorghum and one hybrid of grain sorghum were chosen for the evaluation. A small-parcel experiment with a line spacing of 0.75 meters was established for the comparison. The experiment was going on for two years. Two years of monitoring showed the differences in yield on biomass and dry matter of individual hybrids. A great potential of biomass and dry matter production in convenient weather condition and the ability of the yield produc-tion in dry and hot conditions by sweet hybrids emerge from the two years results. A grain hybrid yielded a small amount of both biomass and dry matter in both years.