Title:
Study, Implementation and Characterization of Three Energy Crops in Marginal/degraded/contaminated (MDC) Soils
Author(s):
Abreu, M., Monti, A., Reis, A., Fernando, A.L.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
Energy crops production is considered an alternative land use to promote the environmental/economic/social sustainability of marginal/degraded/contaminated (MDC) soils (not competing with agriculture, inadequate for food and feed crops) in mainland Portugal avoiding Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) burdens. This work presents the study and implementation of three energy crops (cardoon, giant reed and sorghum) previously selected using the Binary Multiple Decision Method (BMDM) tool [1], in three soils from three different regions (Braga, Lisbon and Beja), selected and determined through the model created by Geographic Information System (GIS) [2], [3] and then, to carry out the characterization of the collected species. The essays were performed in pots and the growth of the plants were followed every month until harvest. The soils of the chosen areas were characterized. At the end of the growing season, the species were collected, and above-ground and below-ground productivity and biomass composition (moisture, ash, total nitrogen (N), total phosphorus (P) and fiber and fractions content) were monitored. The suitability of the different feedstocks for chemical/biochemical/thermochemical conversion processes were also assessed. This study will make it possible to evaluate the potential of these crops in these soils as well as the feasibility of recovering them.
Keywords:
bioenergy, biofuel, biomass characterization, energy crops, Arundo donax L., Sorghum bicolor L. Moench, Cynara cardunculus L., marginal/degraded/contaminated (MDC) soils
Topic:
Sustainable Resources for Decarbonising the Economy
Subtopic:
Sustainable integrated agricultural management practices
Event:
33rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1BO.4.4
Pages:
80 - 86
ISBN:
978-88-89407-25-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/33rdEUBCE2025-1BO.4.4
Price:
FREE
