Unlike other bioenergy crops, stand establishment is typically not a problem and costs associated with planting sorghum are significantly lower than for other crops. Sorghum stand establishment requires a well-prepared seedbed and adequate moisture to initiate the germination process. Therefore, the planting and stand establishment process in energy sorghums is similar if not identical to that for grain sorghum [48].

Assuming moisture availability, the primary factor in sorghum stand establishment is temperature. Sorghum is a warm season crop that requires soil temperatures of at least 60°F (16°C) to initiate the germination process; temperatures below 60°F (16°C) will slow or even stop the process. In most regions where bioenergy sorghum will be grown, cool soil temperatures will not be a problem but in more temperate climates it must be monitored. There are efforts to improve the tolerance and growth of sorghum under cool temperatures [49,50].

From a productivity standpoint, plant population and row spacing are probably the most critical management factors, with optimum density and spacing depending on the type of production system. For example, sweet sorghum processors prefer thick stalks that mimic sugarcane; however, higher yield is typically associated with higher plant densities [51]. Furthermore, row spacing modifications are limited to those that fit within existing harvest­ing equipment. Optimizing plant population and distribution to fit production programs is of significant importance [52].