Investigation of the effects of root growth and mycorrhizae on the carbon retention capacity by different sweet sorghum genotypes under field and greenhouse conditions

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor var. saccharatum (L.) Mohlenbr) can be used as bioenergy crop for either biomass or sugar and bio-ethanol yield. A total of 16 sweet sorghum genotypes were screened under filed and greenhouse conditions. Field work was set up in Adana and Şanlıurfa locations during year 2016 and 2017. Greenhous study was concluded with same 16 the sweet sorghum genotypes on Adana (Menzilat) and Şanlıurfa (Harran) soils. For both experiment plant shoot and root growth parameters such as C and N concentration in soil and plant tissue and also root mycorrhizal colonization were determined. The field experiment results shown that under different climate and geographical regions diverse sorghum genotypes increased plant growth parameters and sequestrated carbon to soil. After harvest plant growth parameters such as plant height, dry weight, root parameters, root colonization and plant tissue C and N concentration were found to be divers with both locations. In greenhouse experiment results shown that indigenous mycorrhizal fungi have the capability to improve yields and plant nutrient supply compare to non-inoculated genotypes. Indigenous mycorrhizae may help to increase C and N concentrations in plant tissue of sweet sorghum genotypes. Our findings confirm that indigenous mycorrhizae can improve sweet sorghum productivity through C and N balance. Thus, indigenous mycorrhizae have the potential to increase C input in sweet sorghum genotypes.