Sorghum Biomethane Potential Varies with the Genotype and the Cultivation Site

With its high biomass yield potential and its adaptability to a large spectrum of crop management schemes (dedicated, double cropping), sorghum is a relevant candidate crop for anaerobic digestion. Moreover, the large genotypic variability of its biochemical composition offers opportunities to cultivate specific varieties that fit the expectations of different end-users. Within this context, the need to evaluate the variability of biomethane potential (BMP) among different genotypes cultivated at various geographical sites has become crucial. In this study, four sorghum genotypes were grown at three different sites and harvested at the same maturity stage (dough grain stage). Consistent BMP obtained from different assays enabled genotype comparisons. The methane potentials observed between genotypes and production sites ranged between 200 +/- 5 NmL(CH4)/g(TS) and 259 +/- 12 NmL(CH4)/g(TS). Evaluation of the genotypic and cultivation site effects produced highly significant results, thus accounting for 36 and 34%, respectively, of the phenotypic variability.