Effect of Plant Density on Growth and Sugar Yield of Sweet Sorghum in Jeju Island

A sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivar was planted on 9 and 30 June 2000 at plant densities of 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 plants $m^{-2}$ to determine the optimum plant density in Jeju region. There were no significant planting date x plant density interactions for most traits measured. Delaying planting from 9 to 30 June delayed 21 days in heading date, and significantly decreased plant height, the number of productive stems $m^{-2}$/, and lodging. Fresh stem yield tended to be higher at the 9 June planting date than at the 30 June planting date, but total sugar and ethanol yields were not significantly affected by planting date. Percentage of soluble solid was higher at the 30 June planting date compared with the 9 June planting date. Fresh stem, total sugar, and ethanol yields quadractically increased from 22.9 to 36.7 $t^{-1}$, from 1.66 to 2.54 $t^{-1}$, and from 945 to 1440 $L^{-1}$, respectively, with increasing plant density. The optimal plant densities for the maximum fresh stem, total sugar, and ethanol were estimated to be 10.7, 9.6, and 9.9 plants $m^{-2}$ respectively.