Utilisation technology of sweet sorghum

Rapid economic development,increasing population, and decreasing arable land, are leadind to energy crisis, and food shortage problems, which are becoming serious concerns in the society. Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a crop with multiple uses: its stem can be used as pasture, hay, green fodder, and for silage production, which can alleviate the current shortage of animal forage; due to its high sugar content, its stalk can be used to produce ethanol, a new biofuel; and its residue can be used to the production of wine, sugar, paper, etc. It has great importance in the virtuous cycle of agro-ecosystems. In this paper, we present a preliminary review on sweet sorghum germplasm, cultivation and management, bioprocessing technology, storage technology, livestock feeding effect, and applications. This paper elucidates advances in sweet sorghum applications in China and overseas, and provides references for future production practices of sweet sorghum.