Evaluation of four crops for nitrogen utilization and carbohydrate yield

Field experiments with 5 levels of Nitrogen (0 to 200 kg/ha) and 4 crops—chicory(Chocorium intybus), fodder beet(Beta vulgaris), Jerusalem artichoke(Helianthus tuberosus) and grain sorghum(Sorghum bicolor) that have shown promise for alcohol production were conducted at 2 locations in California. Nitrogen uptake patterns, were evaluated and N cost for producing plant storage parts and fermentable carbohydrate were calculated. The crops were compared on these criteria.