Sweet sorghum

Sweet Sorghum is a type of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) that is primarily grown for the sweet juice that can be extracted from its stalks. It is a versatile crop that can be used for a variety of purposes, including the production of syrup, biofuel, and animal feed.

History

Sweet sorghum originated in Africa and was introduced to the United States in the early 19th century. It was initially grown for its grain, but farmers soon discovered that the stalks could be crushed to produce a sweet juice. This juice was then boiled down to make a syrup that was used as a sweetener.

Cultivation

Sweet sorghum is a warm-season crop that is typically planted in late spring and harvested in early fall. It is a drought-tolerant plant that can be grown in a wide range of soil types, making it a popular choice for farmers in arid regions. The crop is harvested by cutting the stalks, which are then crushed to extract the juice.

Uses

The primary use of sweet sorghum is for the production of syrup. The juice extracted from the stalks is boiled down to produce a thick, sweet syrup that is often used as a substitute for sugar cane syrup.

In addition to syrup production, sweet sorghum can also be used to produce biofuel. The juice from the stalks can be fermented to produce ethanol, a renewable fuel source.

The remaining plant material, known as bagasse, can be used as animal feed. It is high in fiber and can be a valuable addition to livestock diets.

Research and Development

Research is currently being conducted to improve the yield and sugar content of sweet sorghum, as well as to develop new uses for the crop. This includes the development of varieties that can be used for biomass production and the exploration of sweet sorghum as a potential source of bio-plastic.

See Also

• Sorghum
• Biofuel
• Syrup