Rendimiento de seis cultivares de cenchrus purpureus (schumach.) Morrone con potencial para producción de bioetanol

Six cultivars of Cenchrus purpureus were evaluated: Taiwan, King grass, CT-115, Maralfalfa, Mott and Vrokwona, to determine the biomass yield in three seasons of the year, as prime material for bioethanol production. The dry matter (DM) yield, plant height and number of stems per m2 were measured, and a theoretical estimation of ethanol production was performed. An experimental design of complete random blocks with three repetitions was used. During the rainy season, differences were found (P0.05), in the production of DM, with Mott being the cultivar that produced more DM (46,761 kg ha1). During the season of north winds there were no differences (P0.05). In the dry season, King grass showed the highest yield (4,806 kg ha1). In the north winds and dry seasons there were differences (P0.05) in plant height between cultivars, with the dry season being when the lowest ones were obtained. In the stem density there were no differences in the three seasons. The seasonal distribution of fodder production was 79% with rains, 13% with north winds and 8% in the dry season. The Mott cultivar presented the highest theoretical production of ethanol with 8,018 L ha1 year1.