Title:
Investigation of Agronomic Potential of Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum L.) as an Alternative Biofuel and Biomass Crop for Turkey
Author(s):
Soylu, S., Sade, B., Öğüt, H., Akinerdem, F., Babaoğlu, M., Ada, R., Eryilmaz, T., Öztürk, O., Oğuz, H.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
This study was conducted during 2007, 2008 and 2009 seasons to determine production potential of switchgrass crop (Panicum virgatum L) in Turkey in which this species has not been cultivated before. Nine cultivars of switchgrass were namely; Blackwell, Shawnee, Kanlow, Carthage, Forestburg, Cave in Rock, Shelter, Alamo and Dacotah were tested. The second and third year performances of cultivars were taken into account considering the crop is a perennial. Shoot weights, plant heights, green mass yields, dry matter ratios, dry matter yields and energy value of cultivars were measured. Heading dates varied considerably among cultivars from between 18 June and 28 August. All cultivars except Forestburg and Dacotah shown successful regrowth rates after first cuts. Total mean fresh biomass yields of cultivars were between 8.59 t/ha and 57.55 t/ha, 33.62 t/ha and 64.93 t/ha, dry matter ratios were between 31.9% and 43.0%, 31.79 % and 38.94 % and dry matter yields changed between 34.20 t/ha and 18.18 t/ha. 11.00 t/ha and 25.82 t/ha in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Energy values of cultivars were changed between 18.062 and 18.740 Mj/kg, 17.840 and 19.059 Mj/kg in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The promising yield performances of some cultivars even surviving at -17 degree Celcius without snow cover in Central Anatolian conditions indicated that this species can be an alternative perennial biomass and energy crop for Turkey.
Keywords:
biomass, energy, switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L.
Topic:
Biomass resources
Subtopic:
Research on energy crops (session 1)
Event:
18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
OD7.4
Pages:
230 - 234
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-56-1
ISBN-10:
88-89407-56-5
Paper DOI:
10.5071/18thEUBCE2010-OD7.4
Price:
FREE
