xt7bg737257s https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7bg737257s/data/mets.xml   Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. 1963 journals 134 English Lexington : Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Kentucky Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Progress report (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n.134 text Progress report (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n.134 1963 2014 true xt7bg737257s section xt7bg737257s RESULTS OF THE KENTUCKY SORGO
PERFORMANCE TEST
» 1963
J. F. Shane
January 1964
Progress Report 134
(Filing Code: 1-1)
University of Kentucky
Agricultural Experiment Station
Department of Agronomy
Lexington

 TQTQJLTS OF THE KENTUCKY SORGO _
PERFORMANCE TEST - 1963
J. F. Shane
The objective of the Kentucky Sorgo Performance Test is to provide sorgo sirup V
producers with an estimate of the relative performance of sorgo varieties. Varieties in C
the test include those being grown in the Southeastern Region of the United States and ,
several of the more promising experimental lines developed by the USDA at Meridian,
Miss. The 1963 test included 12 varieties grown in a randomized block design of five
replications.
Stalk samples of all varieties tested in 26 locations in the Southeastern Region
are sent to Meridian, Miss., or Cairo, Ga. , for milling, juice analysis, and sirup
processing.
The sugar content of the juice and the amount that can be extracted are two
important characteristics of sorgo varieties. The percentage of total soluble solids
in the juice is determined by using a sugar hydrometer. Most of the soluble solids in  
the juice are sugar. Juice extraction at Meridian or Cairo was considerably better »
than that obtained by small mills.
Sirup of high quality should reach a finishing temperature of 108OC (226OF) at ` ·
usual altitudes in Kentucky. A standard finishing temperature of 11OOC (230OF) is used I
in processing sirup at Meridian. Difficulty in producing an acceptable sirup might be
encountered if this temperature cannot be reached. The sirup is taken off when the .
foam begins to roll and the temperature is more or less static. Raising the tempera-
ture higher would tend to scorch the sirup and produce a darker color. Six of the
varieties in the 1963 test failed to boil down to the finishing temperature desired.
Results from several years' experiments are a better estimate of performance y
than the results from one year; therefore, most attention should be given to the data
for the 3—year period 1961-1963 which are presented in Table 2. Data for the 1961
test are presented in Table 1.
Stalks of six varieties have been sent to Meridian, Miss. for processing for
six years. During this period the variety Wiley made acceptable sirup every year;
Williams, five of the six years; Sugar Drip, four of the six years; Umbrella, three
of the six years; and Sart and Tracy, two of the six years.

 ' U
. Table 1. Sorgo Variety Test, Robinson Substation, Quicksand, Ky. 1963
Stalk Weight
Vane per acre Extrac- Lodg- Sirup per Plant
ty Stripped tion Brix ing Ton Acre Height
- tons % ` % al. al. feet
 
Mer. 59-1 15.7 49.3 18.9 0 * * 8
Mer. 60-2 11.2 48.2 18.7 0 14.0 157 9
Mer. 60-5 13.9 49.6 16.8 0 * * 8
Mer. 61-6 21.3 53.0 19.8 1 18.8 400 12
Sart 14.1 48. 8 20.1 0 * * 8
Tracy 17.0 50.9 19.7 0 * * 10
Wiley 20. 2 54. 7 19. 9 0 19. 4 392 12
Mer. 56-12 18.3 53. 9 17.4 0 19.2 351 9
Sugar Drip 18. 3 56. 4 14. 1 1 15. 5 284 10
Waconia 11. 7 54. 9 16. 5 0 * * 7
Umbrella 22. 2 57. 5 17. 5 0 * * 9
Williams 16. 9 55. 8 16.0 59 17.0 287 10
  Means 16.7 51.2 18.0 5 17.3 312 9.3
h `
*Failed to boil to proper density
Table 2. Three year summary of sorgo varieties grown at Quicksand, Ky. 1961-63
Stalk Weight
. per acre Extrac- Lodg- Sirup per
Vamety Stripped tion Brix mg Ten Acre
tons % % ai. al.
 
Wiley 22. 8 56. 8 18. 8 4. 3 19. 9 455
Tracy 19.0 54.3 19.1 0.3 17.3* 375*
Sart 18.7 52.5 18.8 1.3 20.2* 368*
Sugar Drip 19.4 58.0 14.1 12.0 16.5** 331**
Williams*** 16.0 58.0 14.9 79.5 16.9 270
Umbrella 21. 7 60. 2 16. 2 8. 3 17. 9* 415*
Means 19.6 56.6 17.0 17.6 18.1 369
 
* One-year data
** Two-year data
*** Tvvo—year data, not harvested in 1962
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