Seasonal growth dynamics and yield potential of biomass sorghum in the southeastern US

Authors: BERA, TANUMOY - Texas A&M Agrilife; YANG, YUBIN - Texas A&M Agrilife; WILSON, LLOYD - Texas A&M Agrilife; DOU, FUGEN - Texas A&M Agrilife; Knoll, Joseph; ARAJI, HAMIDREZA - Texas A&M Agrilife; ROONEY, WILLIAM - Texas A&M University; MORRISON, JESSE - Mississippi State University; BALDWIN, BRIAN - Mississippi State University; JIFON, JOHN - Texas A&M Agrilife; WRIGHT, ALAN - University Of Florida; ODERO, DENNIS - University Of Florida; SANDHU, HARDEV - University Of Florida

Submitted to: BMC Plant Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/2/2025
Publication Date: 11/2/2026
Citation: Bera, T., Yang, Y., Wilson, L.T., Dou, F., Knoll, J.E., Araji, H.A., Rooney, W., Morrison, J., Baldwin, B., Jifon, J., Wright, A.L., Odero, D.C., Sandhu, H.S. 2026. Seasonal growth dynamics and yield potential of biomass sorghum in the southeastern US. BMC Plant Biology. 26, article 248. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-08032-1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-08032-1

Interpretive Summary: The Gulf Coast region of the southeastern US holds significant potential as a major supplier of cellulosic feedstocks for the emerging biofuel industry. High-biomass sorghum is one crop that can help fill this need for cellulosic feedstock. However, the establishment of a viable cellulosic biofuel industry hinges on optimized logistics and the seasonal availability of biomass. Environmental factors play pivotal roles in influencing plant growth, thereby modifying morphological characteristics and ultimately impacting seasonal biomass and end-of-season biomass. The research presented herein 1) evaluates the effects of genotype and experimental site on biomass sorghum plant height and stalk density, 2) assesses growth characteristics and seasonal biomass dynamics of biomass sorghum genotypes, 3) investigates the effects of experimental sites, genotype, and nitrogen fertilizer management on end-of-season biomass, and 4) estimates biomass penalties associated with early harvesting. Biomass sorghum was grown at six sites (Beaumont, Weslaco, and College Station, TX; Belle Glade, FL; Starkville, MS; and Tifton, GA) for three years (2020, 2021, and 2022). Each year, three sorghum genotypes were grown, but they were not the same each year; five total genotypes were grown. Two nitrogen fertilizer rates were tested at Beaumont and Starkville. Our findings revealed significant variability in stalk density and height across experimental years, with distinct genotypic differences. Variations in seasonal biomass underscored the importance of site-specific management strategies. Biomass production follows a sigmoid pattern (slow initial growth, rapid mid-season growth, and a plateau in late-season growth), with variations in heat unit requirements and days to reach maximum biomass accumulation. Notably, northern locations required fewer heat units to reach maximum above ground biomass, but with greater early harvest penalties of up to 25%. End-of-season biomass varied significantly among sites and genotypes, ranging between 4.0 and 11.0 dry tons/acre, with genotypes TAM08001 and TAM08005 consistently outperforming other genotypes. This study emphasizes the site-specific and time-dependent nature of biomass sorghum growth characteristics, highlighting the need for optimization of biomass production and supply chain logistics.

Technical Abstract: The Gulf Coast region of the southeastern US holds significant potential as a major supplier of cellulosic feedstocks for the emerging biofuel industry. However, the establishment of a viable cellulosic biofuel industry hinges on optimized logistics and the seasonal availability of biomass. Environmental and edaphic factors play pivotal roles in influencing plant phenological stages, thereby modifying morphological characteristics and ultimately impacting seasonal biomass and end-of-season biomass. The research presented herein 1) evaluates the effects of genotype and experimental site on biomass sorghum plant height and density, 2) assesses growth characteristics and seasonal biomass dynamics of biomass sorghum genotypes, 3) investigates the effects of experimental sites, genotype, and nitrogen management on end-of-season biomass, and 4) estimates biomass penalties associated with early harvesting. Our findings revealed significant variability in stalk density and height across experimental years, with distinct genotypic differences. Variations in seasonal biomass underscored the importance of site-specific management strategies. Biomass production follows a sigmoid pattern, with variations in heat unit requirements and days to reach maximum accumulation. Notably, northern locations required fewer heat units to reach maximum above ground biomass, but with greater early harvest penalties of up to 25%. End-of-season biomass varied significantly among sites and genotypes, ranging between 9.1 and 24.7 Mg ha-1, with genotypes TAM08001 and TAM08005 consistently outperforming other genotypes. This study emphasizes the site-specific and time-dependent nature of biomass sorghum growth characteristics, highlighting the need for optimization of biomass production and supply chain logistics.