Title:
From Irrigated to Rainfed Agriculture in a Mediterranean Environment: the Shift in Biomass Yield of the Arundo Crop over the Seasons
Author(s):
Curt, M.D., Sanz, M., Mauri, P.V., Plaza, A., Cano-Ruiz, J., Sanchez, J., Aguado, P.L., Fernandez, J.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
A long-term study of the potential of nine clones of Arundo donax L. for biomass production was conducted under a Xeric Mediterranean climate characterized by 4-month dry period in summertime. The crop was managed according to a perennial cultivation system with annual harvests of the aboveground biomass. Clones were optimally irrigated four years; afterwards, they were maintained in rain-fed conditions for two years (363 mm year-1 mean precipitation). In line with literature data, the present study showed that the effect of the water regime for biomass production was more important than the clone. However, results of the relative clone performance revealed a remarkable advantage of one of the experimented clones. The relative yield reduction varied among clones and showed that two clones were less sensitive to water regime change. Mean yield reduction in this work could be extrapolated to other locations with similar environmental conditions for an early estimation of yield losses of the Arundo energy crop, in the event of irrigation water stoppage.
Keywords:
biomass, energy crops, production, arundo donax
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Biomass Crops and Energy Grasses
Event:
25th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1CO.5.2
Pages:
116 - 119
ISBN:
978-88-89407-17-2
Paper DOI:
10.5071/25thEUBCE2017-1CO.5.2
Price:
FREE
