Sustainability Of Sweet Sorghum Large-scale Production For Biofuels In Different Regions Of China

Field investigation and literature search were used to evaluate the present situation of sweet sorghum production, havest, storing and transportation in different regions of China, for the purpose of large-scale energy production. And, economic feasibility of sweet sorghum production in North China was analyzed specially, providing theoretical basis for sustainable and large-scale production of sweet sorghum.(1) Development of varieties breeding was analyzed comprehensively. In terms of high recommendation varieties, those are Longtiangaoliang2, Shennongtianza2, Liaosiza2, Liaosiza4, Liaotianl, Liaotian9, Liaotian10, Jitian3, Jitianzal and Jiutianza4for the Northeast China; sweet sorghum varieties suitable for in the Yellow-Huai-Hai basin are early varieties, which are Nengsiland Nengsizal, middle ones which are Liaotianl, Chuntian2, Lvneng2, and Liaosiza2, and late varieties, that is M-81E and Yuantian1; sweet sorghum varieties suitable for the Inner Mongolia and its zone along the Great Wall are Liaotianl, Jitianzal and Jitian3; sweet sorghum varieties suitable for the Ganxin region are Zaosul, Cuntian2, Xingaoliang2, Xingaoliang3, and Xingaoliang7, Liaotianl, Lvneng2, Liaosizal, BJ0602, and Xingaoliang9; sweet sorghum varieties suitable for the Loess Plateau of China is Jiutianza3; sweet sorghum varieties suitable for the Southwest China is Dalishi; sweet sorghum varieties suitable for the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze river China are ST005and ST008; sweet sorghum varieties suitable for the South of China are Liaosizal, M-81E, Liaotianl, Liaotian3, and Pintian3.(2) Reviewing sweet sorghum farming system, land preparation, sowing, planting density, thinning, tillering, irrigation, fertilization, lodging resistance, pesticide application and harvest, storage and transporation in eight integrated agricultural regions, we hope that it is helpful to provide the technical support for the industrialization of sweet sorghum production.(3) Local main crops as reference, the economic costs and input sensitivity of sweet sorghum are determined at two saline-alkali sites in Shandong (Wudi County) and Inner Mongolia (Wuyuan County) provinces of China. The sweet sorghum grown at Wudi had lower external input, higher net return and benefit-cost ratio than its reference crop, cotton. At Wuyuan, the sweet sorghum showed contrasting economic performance, which was largely because of the higher labor costs compared to sunflower; and maize.The productivity of sweet sorghum per unit of external input costs (kg CNY-1) was13.12for Wudi and only3.26for Wuyuan. Based on the Cobb-Douglas production function, the external inputs of diesel and seed had a significantly positive impact on the profitability of sweet sorghum at Wudi but not at Wuyuan. However, the costs of irrigation and film cover were significantly negative. The energy crop, sweet sorghum, showed a better return to scale on investment than cotton and sunflower. Sweet sorghum has better economic performance in Wudi. With the development of mechanization, the output of sweet sorghum will increase subsequently. (4) The Northeast region and Ganxin region showed high maturity in terms of sweet sorghum production technique with the help of grey correlation degree. However, the Yellow-Huai-Hai Basin had general maturity in that, and the other regions indicated immature. Based on six indicators of sustainability, comprehensive discussion involving energy, economy and environment in Northeast China, Yellow-huai-hai Basin, and Ganxin region, including net energy output, energy ratio, net economic output, and so on, are implemented. Sweet sorghum planted in Northeast China is the most sustainable, but Ganxin region is the least.