Journal of Energy Bioscience 2025, Vol.16, No.4, 193-204 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 197 4.2 Water-use optimization Water management has a significant impact on the energy utilization efficiency of sorghum. Although full irrigation can achieve the highest biomass and ethanol yield, moderate deficiency irrigation can significantly improve water productivity and strike a balance between yield and sustainable water resource utilization (Pietro Garofalo et al., 2025). In semi-arid regions, the combination of rainwater collection and water retention measures (such as contour zones and seepage pits) with organic and inorganic fertilizers can significantly improve the rainwater utilization efficiency and agronomic efficiency of sorghum (Kugedera et al., 2022). In addition, sorghum itself has strong drought resistance and high water use efficiency, and performs better compared with energy crops such as corn and miscanthus (Moore et al., 2021; Khalifa and Eltahir, 2023). 4.3 Planting strategies The planting method and variety selection are equally important for the energy utilization efficiency of sorghum. Different farming methods (such as traditional farming, minimum tillage, and no-tillage) and different sowing times will all affect the stability of yield and the energy input-output ratio. Studies have shown that minimum tillage and no-tillage combined with low fertilizer input can achieve higher energy utilization efficiency (Garofalo et al., 2018; Lopez-Sandin et al., 2019; Jankowski et al., 2020). In terms of variety selection, those hybrid species with strong adaptability and stable yield (such as Fadda and Nieleni) have high biomass and yield in various environments and are suitable for promotion in different ecological regions (Ndiaye et al., 2019). Furthermore, early sowing helps to utilize the dual uses of sorghum grain and biomass and maintain stable yields (Ndiaye et al., 2019). 5 Technological Innovations 5.1 Precision agriculture applications Precision agriculture, by leveraging tools such as sensors, artificial intelligence, and high-throughput phenotypic analysis, can monitor the growth environment and nutrient requirements of sorghum in real time, thereby enabling rational input and enhancing energy utilization efficiency. Sensors and AI technologies have been used for high-throughput phenotypic analysis to help select varieties with high nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE), and to formulate management methods suitable for different environments, thereby significantly increasing yield and resource utilization (Ostmeyer et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2024). In addition, by using molecular markers and multi-omics analysis, researchers identified genes associated with high NUE, providing theoretical support for the precise breeding of high-efficiency sorghum varieties (Liu et al., 2024). In field management, the use of new controlled-release fertilizers (such as polyaspartic acid-coated urea) can improve nitrogen utilization and crop yield, while reducing environmental losses and achieving a balance between high yield and high energy efficiency (Yan et al., 2022). 5.2 Bioenergy-oriented approaches The improvement of energy utilization efficiency of sorghum in bioenergy mainly relies on means such as biomass management, conversion processes and bioengineering. In biomass management, replacing urea with digestive juices and sludge can increase the output and energy efficiency ratio of biofuels such as methane and ethanol, which is particularly effective in temperate climates (Jankowski et al., 2020). In bioconversion processes, new methods such as nanotechnology and enzyme immobilization can significantly increase the yield and conversion efficiency of ethanol, while reducing energy consumption and costs (Cadiz et al., 2023; Punia and Kumar, 2024). Thermochemical treatments (such as pyrolysis and roasting) can increase the energy density and fuel quality of sorghum biomass, providing a new approach for the production of solid biofuels and high value-added chemicals (Yue et al., 2017; Ameen et al., 2024). Furthermore, molecular biology and genetic engineering methods have been employed to improve the stress resistance and nutrient absorption capacity of sorghum, which enables it to have greater energy utilization potential even in marginal land and adverse environments (Senoura et al., 2024; Zabuloni et al., 2025).
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