Qualitative parameters and maturity in sweet sorghum genotypes

Abstract

The aim with this work was to evaluate the qualitative parameters and maturation of eleven genotypes of sweet sorghum. Field experiment was carried out in Santa Maria locality, State of the Rio Grande do Sul, South Region, Brazil, in two growing seasons (2012/13 and 2013/14). The experimental design was randomized blocks with three replications and the treatments consisted of eleven genotypes, seven varieties (BRS506, BRS511, Fepagro 17, Fepagro 19, Past 81-04, Past 29-51 and Past 29-49) and four hybrids (CV007, CV147, CV568 and CV198). The qualitative parameters were evaluated: sucrose content (%), reducing sugars (%), purity (%), total soluble solids (°Brix), total recoverable sugar (kg t-1), fiber (%) and ethanol production (l ha-1). It was determined maturity curves to characterize the industrial use period (IUP). The genotypes BRS506, BRS511 and CV198 showed IUP over 30 days. BRS506 and BRS511 are genotypes with better features for ethanol production.