Influence of Sowing Dates on Growth, Grain and Ethanol Yield and Economics of Sweet Sorghum Genotypes

Field experiment was conducted for two years (rabi 2002 and 2003) in medium deep vertisols at Main Agricultural Research Station (MARS), University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad to study the production potential of sweet sorghum genotypes for grain and ethanol yield as influenced by management practices. The study indicated that the growth, grain yield and ethanol yield differed significantly both due to genotypes and dates of sowing. Among the genotypes SSV-84 and SSV-74 produced significantly higher grain yield over other tested genotypes. Genotype NSSH-1 recorded significantly higher ethanol yield (245.91 l ha–1) over rest of the genotypes. Sowing in 1st fortnight of October recorded significantly higher grain yield and ethanol yield compared to 2nd fortnight of September and October. The interaction effects were significant. Combination of SSV-84, NSSH-1 and SSV-74 with sowing at 1st fortnight of October produced significantly higher net return and B:C ratio.