Title:
Exploitation of Pruning Residues along with Biological Control: a Case Study for Sweet Chestnut (Castanea Sativa, Mill.) Orchards in Central Italy
Author(s):
Pagano, M., Santangelo, E., Acampora, A., Guerrieri, M., Cedrola, C., Sperandio, G., Tomasone, R., Gallucci, F., Caracciolo, G., Assirelli, A.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
Besidesthe value of the commercial fruit production, farmers cultivating minor fruit trees may achieve an additional income from the recovery of pruning residues. The collection of biomass in orchards is proposed for use as a renewable energy source, and alsoconsidered a viable alternative to on-site mulching or open burning. Pruning operations in sweet chestnut orchards (Castanea sativa Mill.) produce abundantamounts of wood biomass. In Italy, chestnut orchards have beenseverely affected by the invasive Asian chestnut gall wasp (ACGW). Biological control using Torymus sinensis, a parasitoid wasp, is an effective control method. Parasitoid adultsoverwinter in withered galls and emerge in early spring at the time of sweet chestnut budburst, when newACGW galls develop. Therefore,winter galls should remain in the orchard until the following spring to ensure the presence of the parasitoid. This constraint must be considered when planning the field operations for pruning residue management and collection, to preserve the overwintering parasitoid in the galls. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the eco-sustainability of sweet chestnut pruning recovery,using a heavy-duty, PTO-driven, mechanical shredder and collector(Comby TR 200). The machine was coupled to a special custom made three-wheeled hydrostatic-drive tractor, to collect the biomass obtained from the pruning of 67 chestnut trees, unevenly distributedin the field. The particle size distribution of the wood chips complied with the requirements set for biomass fuel (P45). The Higher Heating Value (18.33 MJ kg-1) was comparable with the values of other hardwood species. Machine work capacity (1.19 ha h-1) and productivity (1.79 t h-1) were considered satisfactory, for the given work conditions of the trial. More importantly, the action of the shredder preserved at least two thirds of the winter galls, thus assuring a consistent presence of the parasitoid T.sinensis. However, through some modifications on the flail rotor, there is further space to improve the percentage of intact galls. The present study can be viewed as a first step for defining an integrative supply chain to sweet chestnut production.
Keywords:
bioenergy, wood chip, pruning, Castanea, biological control
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Biomass feedstock, residues and by-products
Event:
26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1DV.1.10
Pages:
299 - 304
ISBN:
978-88-89407-18-9
Paper DOI:
10.5071/26thEUBCE2018-1DV.1.10
Price:
FREE
