xt7j9k45s03b https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7j9k45s03b/data/mets.xml   Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. 1962 journals 112 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.112 text Progress report (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n.112 1962 2014 true xt7j9k45s03b section xt7j9k45s03b 1
l .
T RESULTS OF THE KENTUCKY SORGO
F PERFORMANCE TEST
- - 1961 V "
— J. F. Shane
` ‘ Progress Report 112 _
A (Filing Code: 1-1)
‘ February 1962
University of Kentucky
Agricultural Experiment Station
z Dep? rtrnent of Agronomy
Lexington

 RESULTS OF THE KENTUCKY SORGO
PERFORMANCE TEST - 1961
J. F. Shane
V The objective of the Kentucky Sorgo Performance Test is to provide sorgo sirup pro-
1 ducers with an estimate of the relative performance of sorgo varieties. Varieties in the
test include those being grown in t.he Southeastern Region of the United States and several
` of the more promising experimental lines developed by the USDA at Meridian, Miss. The
1961 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.
A The sugar content of the juice and the amount of juice 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.
Sirup of high quality should reach a finishing temperature of 108OC (2260 F) at usual
‘ altitudes in Kentucky. A standard finishing temperature of 110OC (2300 F) is used in proc-
· essing 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 temperature higher would tend to
scorch the sirup and produce a darker color. Three of the varieties in the 1961 test failed
to boil down to the finishing temperature desired.
The 1960 and 1961 seasons were quite favorable for plant growth. However, during the
J later stages of plant growth the 1961 season was not quite so wet as the 1960 season. Juice
extraction at Meridan or Cairo was considerably better than that obtained by small mills.
Results from several yea.rs’ experiments are a better estimate of performance than
the results from any one year; therefore. most attention should be given to the data for
the 3—year period 1959-1961 which are presented in Table 2. Data for the 1961 test are
l presented in Table 1.

 Table 1. - Sorgo Variety Test, Robinson Substation, Quicksand, Ky. 1961 A
 
Stalk Weight Days
Variety per Acre Extrac- Tem- Lodg- Sirup per to Plant
Total Stripped tion Brix perature ing Ton Acre Harvest Height
tons tons % 0 F % gal gal feet
Mer. 56-12 26. 8 18. 6 63.1 14.1 230 25 17. 5 326 127 11 l A
Mer. 58-13 15. 2 12. 7 62. 5 11. 9 228 2 11. 6 147 113 7
Mer. 59-1 23.1 17. 5 57. 2 14. 4 230 2 17. 9 313 136 8 A
Mer. 59-9 22.0 14. 5 56. 6 13. 4 219 3 * * 127 9
Sart 23. 2 18. 2 56. 7 16. 2 230 3 20. 2 368 136 8 .
Tracy 27.1 21. 7 61.0 17. 3 226 0 17. 3 375 127 9 _
Wiley 31.1 24. 9 62. 5 17. 7 230 13 20. 4 508 136 10
Ky. 58-209 23. 9 19.1 56. 4 20. 3 217 1 * * 127 9
Sugar Drip 29.0 21. 7 61. 3 14. 9 230 31 17. 4 378 127 10
Umbrella 29. 1 23. 2 64. 5 15. 5 230 24 17. 9 415 127 10
White African 27. 6 23. 1 61. 4 16. 3 225 12 * * 136 10
Williams 19. 9 15. 1 60.1 13. 7 230 100 16. 7 252 136 10
Means 24. 8 19. 2 60. 3 15. 5 227 18.0 17. 4 342 130 9
. 
Table 2. - Three-year summary of sorgo varieties grown at Quicksand, Ky. 1959-61 1
 
Stripped
Variety Stalks Extrac— Temper- Sirup
Per Acre tion Brix ature Lodging Ton Acre
tons % OF %
i
Wiley 20.7 59.6 17.5 230.0 29.0 20.5 423
Tracy 19. 3 58.1 18. 6 224. 4 2. 7 17. 3.%/ 3752-/ »
Sart 18. 6 57. 5 16. 6 211. 5 10. 7 20. 22/ 3682/
Sugar Drip 17. 9 60. 2 15. 6 223. 7 20.0 17. 7;/ 336}-/
Williams 15. 3 59. 2 15.0 226. 4 82. 8 16. 21/ 240l/
Umbrella 19. 8 63. 2 15. 6 225. 5 30. 1 18. 0-U 355;/
Means 18. 6 59. 6 16. 5 223. 6 29. 2 18. 3 350
L 2-year data
it 1—year data
ZM-2-62