Title:
Agroclimatic Zoning of Straw Removal and its Impacts on Sugarcane Yield
Author(s):
Hernandes, T.A.D., Duft, D.G., Bruno, K.M.B., Henzler, D.S., Luciano, A.C.S., Leal, M.R.L.V
Document(s):
Paper
Slide presentation
Abstract:
The green cane harvesting system has resulted in the deposition of large amounts of straw (tops, green and dry leaves) on the soil surface after harvesting. The straw has been considered very attractive with the growing global demand for bioenergy, once it has a significant potential as feedstock for second-generation ethanol production and bioelectricity cogeneration. However, there are some trade-offs associated with straw removal because the straw mulching on the soil results in some benefits in terms of soil water storage, nutrient recycling, soil erosion control, soil biodiversity, soil carbon stocks, soil temperature and weed control. The objective of this study was to define the suitability for the removal of straw based on climatic data aiming to benefit sugarcane yield in the Brazilian Centre-South region. This climatic spatial analysis allowed to create a map with straw removal suitability classes, based on multicriteria assessment techniques, and will support the construction of guidelines for the sugarcane sector. Considering a minimum amount of straw to be left on the ground in order to benefit soil erosion control and better productivities, there were around than 63% of the estimated straw produced (65 million tons of straw) available to be collected and used for bioenergy purposes. The bioelectricity generated by using this surplus of sugarcane biomass is relevant to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil, which could reduce emissions by more than 10% in the energy sector.
Keywords:
bioenergy, climatic conditions, electricity, agroindustrial residues
Topic:
Biomass Sustainability, Impacts and Policies
Subtopic:
Biomass strategies and policies
Event:
27th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
4BO.15.1
Pages:
1520 - 1527
ISBN:
978-88-89407-19-6
Paper DOI:
10.5071/27thEUBCE2019-4BO.15.1
Price:
FREE
