ABSTRACT. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is highly sensitive to zinc deficiency in soils, which results in decreased productivity and low-quality agricultural products. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of different zinc doses, applied to seeds, on the physiological quality and initial performance of sorghum plants. Six doses (0, 3.5, 7.0, 14.0, 21.0, and 28.0 g kg-1 seeds) were used and an uncoated control. The Zn coating process used dolomitic limestone as the filler and glue. Laboratory tests were conducted in a completely randomized design and greenhouse experiments were conducted in a randomized block design. The control means were 8, 9, and 14% lower than the maximum, minimum, and total seed area of treatments, respectively, relative to that of treatments. The control differed from other treatments by 10.47 in the speed index of emergence. Zinc at a dose of 28 g kg-1 seeds provided greater production of aerial dry matter, with nutrient content of 75.85 mg kg-1. Zinc on sorghum seeds affected length and dry matter production of aerial parts and roots but did not affect physical characteristics, germination, or emergence time. Applied zinc accumulated mainly in the roots, and promotes changes in Ca and Mg in seeds and other plant parts.

RESUMO A demanda e produção mundial de energia primária deverá crescer à taxa de 1,4 % ao ano, até 2035. No mesmo período, a produção de energias renováveis deverá crescer à taxa de 6,6 % ao ano, passando de 3 % para 9 % de energia primária mundial. Logo, a oferta de biocombustíveis assume papel estratégico para a segurança energética mundial. Neste contexto, o sorgo é uma alternativa promissora no setor bioenergético, devido às suas características agronômicas e adaptabilidade às condições edafoclimáticas limitantes. Objetivou-se avaliar o potencial produtivo de três grupos agronômicos de sorgo (biomassa, sacarino e forrageiro), bem como caracterizar quimicamente a biomassa desses materiais. Para isso, conduziu-se um experimento utilizando-se delineamento em blocos casualizados, no qual foram realizadas avaliações agronômicas, químicas (celulose, hemicelulose, lignina e cinzas) e teores de umidade. As cultivares de sorgo biomassa apresentaram alta produtividade (cerca de 30 t ha-1 de colmo seco), sendo, por isso, mais indicadas para a geração de biocombustíveis sólidos, isto é, queima direta. Já as cultivares de sorgo forrageiro apresentaram menor teor de lignina nos colmos, em relação às demais cultivares, sendo indicadas para a geração de biocombustíveis líquidos. Destaca-se, ainda, a possibilidade de produção de bioetanol de segunda geração a partir do bagaço de sorgo sacarino. Logo, o sorgo apresenta diferentes potenciais de uso que podem ser explorados pelo setor de bioenergia de acordo com o grupo agronômico e a parte física da planta.

ABSTRACT The global demand and production of primary energy is expected to grow at a rate of 1.4 % per year by 2035. In the same period, the production of renewable energy is expected to grow at a rate of 6.6 % per year, rising from 3 % to 9 % of world primary energy. Therefore, the biofuels supply assumes a strategic role for world energy security. In this context, sorghum is a promising alternative in the bioenergetic sector, due to its agronomic characteristics and adaptability to limiting edaphoclimatic conditions. This study aimed at evaluating the productive potential of three sorghum agronomic groups (biomass, saccharin and forage), as well as chemically characterizing the biomass of these materials. For that, a field experiment was carried out using a randomized block design, where agronomic and chemical characteristics (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash), as well as moisture contents, were evaluated. The biomass sorghum cultivars presented a high yield (about 30 t ha-1 of dry stalk), being, for this reason, more suitable for the generation of solid biofuels, i.e., direct burning. On the other hand, the forage sorghum cultivars presented a lower lignin content in the stalks, in relation to the other cultivars, being indicated for the generation of liquid biofuels. It is also worth mentioning the possibility of producing second-generation bioethanol from saccharin sorghum bagasse. Therefore, sorghum presents different use potentials that may be exploited by the bioenergy sector according to the agronomic group and plant physical part.