xt7hx34mn40p https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7hx34mn40p/data/mets.xml   Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. 1964 journals 148 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.148 text Progress report (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n.148 1964 2014 true xt7hx34mn40p section xt7hx34mn40p I RESULTS OF THE KENTUCKY SORGO
PERFORMANCE TEST
1964
J. F. Shane
Progress Report 148
(Filing Code 1-1)
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
Department o1` Agronomy
Lexington

 RESULTS OF THE KENTUCKY SORGO
PERFORMANCE TEST — 1964
J. F. Shane ”
The objective of the Kentucky Sorgo Performance Test is to provide sorgo sirup ~
producers with an estimate of the relative performance of sorgo varieties. Varieties
in 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 1964 test included nine 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 in 1964 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) I ‘
at the usual altitudes in Kentucky. A standard finishing temperature of 110OC (2300F)
is used in processing sirup at Meridian. Difficulty in producing an acceptable sirup l
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. Of `
the nine varieties in the 1964 test only Tracy failed to boil down to the finishing .
temperature desired.
Results from several years' experiments are a better estimate of performance
than the results from one year; therefore, most attention should be given to the data ‘ .
for the threc—year period 1962-64 which are presented in Table 2. Data for the 1964
test are presented in Table 1.
Stalks of six varieties have been sent to Meridian, Miss. , for processing for
seven years. During this period the variety Wiley made acceptable sirup every year: .
Williams, six of the seven years: Sugar Drip, five of the seven years; Umbrella.
four of the seven years; Sart. three of the seven years; and Tracy, two of the seven
years.

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Table 1. Sorgo Variety Test. Robinson Substation, Quicksand. Ky.. 1964
`TTTTT T T   T Ts?£H•5i5TéT5T T  "TT   
_ Stalks Extrac— _ Sirup Per _ Plant
@111.-----.-E-@.L;\£a--.-lam.--.-. -.-.-Ji1;Q<_;L>n .-_-»°g1@-- -._.   -H.©igl1t _
` Tons % Gal Gal ln.
Mer 59-1 6.9 56.6 15.1 14.7 101 96
Mer 60-2 7.0 54.2 17 6 16.4 115 132
y Mer 61 -11 6 3 57.5 16.4 19. 2 121 132
Sart 8.5 53.8 20.3 17.8 151 144
, Tracy 8.5 54.2 20.5 * * 132
_ Wiley 9 3 56.3 15.2 15.0 140 144
Sugar Drip 8.5 57.9 15.6 14.4 122 120
` Umbrella 7.5 58.4 17.1 15.2 114 132
Williams 8.0 58.4 16.5 17.0 136 132
l Average 7.8 56.3 17.1 14.4 111 129
* Failed to boil to proper density
Table 2. —Three-year summary of sorgo varieties grown at Quicksand. Ky. 1962-1964
 `TTT"TTT` TT    
Stalks Extrac— Lodg— Sirup Per _ Plant
Variety Per Acre tion Brix ing Ton Acre Height
Tons % % Gal Gal In.
Wiley 17.6 54.7 18.0 1 18.1 334 146
Tracy 14.6 52.0 20.1 0 * * 124
Sart 14.5 51.5 20.1 0 17.8** 151** 124
Sugar Drip 15.0 56.8 14.4 3 15.0*** 203***118 ·
Williams**** 12.4 57.1 16.3 80 17.0 212 122
Umbrella 16.5 58.1 16.7 0 15.2** 114** 120
Average 15.1 55.0 17. 6 14 16. 6 203 126
* Failed to boil to proper density
** One·year data
*** Two year data
**** Two-year average, not harvested in 1962
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