Why sweet sorghum?
Sweet sorghum is being pursued as a feedstock for half of the dozen or so ethanol plants planned by Florida companies. The crop, a cousin of sugar cane, is favored for its high sugar content. No ethanol is produced from sweet sorghum in the U.S., but almost 2 million gallons of sweet sorghum syrup are produced each year.Pluses: • Sweet sorghum takes less water and fertilizer to grow than corn or sugar cane. • It can be planted in rotation with vegetables. • It can be grown on marginal soils not suited for food crops. • It can be grown in three to four months, compared with 13 to 14 months for sugar cane. • It isn’t publicly traded. • It produces eight energy units for every energy unit invested in its cultivation and production, about the same as sugar cane. Corn produces 1.25 energy units for each energy unit invested. • Its sugar can be converted to ethanol using existing technology. Minuses: • It can’t be stored and must be used within 24 hours after harvest or half its sugar conten
