Title:
Intercropping Maize and Forage Sorghum for Biogas Production in the North Central Region, USA
Author(s):
Berti, M.T., Samarappuli, D., Aponte, A., Teuber, O., Lukaschewky, J., Undersander, D., Gesch, R.W.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
Maize (Zea mays L.) silage is by far the preferred choice for dairy producers in the U.S. North Central Region due to its high biomass yield and quality and relative ease of converting to silage. It is also the preferred choice for biogas production. Finding alternative feedstocks for silage and biogas other than maize is important to have a more resilient production system. The objective of this study was to compare monocultures and mixed cultures of maize and forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) to determine the most resilient production system in the Region. Experiments were conducted in Carrington, Fargo, and Prosper, ND, in 2013 and in Fargo, ND, in 2014. The experimental design was a RCBD with three replicates. Maize for both silage and grain and two forage sorghum (FS) cultivars (Non-BMR and BMR) were grown in monoculture and in mixtures (maize-sorghum). Mixed cultures included 4 row-intercropping and 4 within-row intercropping treatments. Results across locations and years indicated; biomass yield fluctuated between 12.8 to 17.7 Mg/ha and biogas yield between 12,100 to 16,100 m3/ha. Non-BMR FS monocultures produced similar or higher biomass yield compared with maize monocultures and maize-FS mixed cultures. Biogas yield produced by non-BMR FS monocultures, and mixtures containing non-BMR FS were similar to that of grain or silage maize. In conclusion, within-row and inter-row intercropping of FS with maize is a promising alternative to maize silage in the North Central region.
Keywords:
biomass yield, intercropping, forage sorghum, resilient production, mixed cultures, specific biogas yield, biogas yield
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Energy crops and energy grasses
Event:
23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1CV.1.13
Pages:
159 - 163
ISBN:
978-88-89407-516
Paper DOI:
10.5071/23rdEUBCE2015-1CV.1.13
Price:
FREE
