Utilization of sweet sorghum biomass for profitable feed and bioethanol

Abstract

Sweet sorghum has many benefits, including its biomass, as an alternative to fodder which contains sugars and stems containing sugar which can be fermented into bio ethanol. The Research and Development Agency has produced several varieties of sweet sorghum, including Super-1, Super-2 and Numbu varieties. In this regard, a study was conducted on sweet sorghum varieties that produce biomass with a designation as animal feed and bio ethanol sources that have beneficial economic value. The study was conducted at KP. Maros in August-December 2016, used the Split-Plot design with three replications. The main plot is six spacing (60 cm× 10 cm, 60 cm × 15 cm, 60 cm × 20 cm, 70 cm × 10 cm, 70 cm × 15 cm, 70 cm × 20 cm) and subplots in the form of three varieties of sweet sorghum (Super 1, Super 2, Numbu). The results showed that based on the varieties, the three sweet sorghum varieties obtained stover results of 47.8-54.1 t/ha which provided revenue of Rp 16,740,500-18,938,500 with a profit of Rp 6,938,000-9,391,000/ha and the value R/C ratio 1.71 - 2.01; cost/kg stover ratio around Rp 174-205. The results of ethanol for health obtained as many as 830.64-1171.64 l/ha with a sales profit of Rp 11,443,284-27,073,399/ha (at a price of Rp 50,000/l) and an R/C ratio 1.38-1.86 with ratio of cost per liter of ethanol around Rp 26,893-36,224. Numbu variety obtained the highest profit and was more efficient both stover yield and ethanol yield. Production of stover biomass based on sixs pacing ranges from 39-76 t/ha and the acquisition of revenue of Rp 13,650,000-26,600,000/ha. Planting distance of 60 cm × 10 cm has the highest profit (Rp 16,712,000) compared to other planting distances, and is more efficient with an R/C value of 2.69 and a lower cost/kg stover ratio of Rp 130. Based on this sweet sorghum biomass can provide profitable income and provide nutritious animal feed needs so it is feasible to be developed.