Paper details

Title:

Development and Comparison of Optimised Cropping Systems for the Production of Energy Plants under the Variety of Regional Conditions in Germany ("EVA / EVA II")

Author(s):

Strauss, C., Vetter, A., Reus, D.

Document(s):

Abstract:

Since 2005 the cooperative project “EVA”, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) via its Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR) aims at researching energy cropping systems for biogas production and providing advice, including well­founded statements on optimized plant production, economic and ecological criteria. The presented paper gives an outline of some of the results presented by the research network. For more detailed information the project homepage can be accessed via www.eva­verbund.de. In summary, research in the cooperative project could show that there are many possibilities for the creation of site­specific and diverse cropping systems. Despite the fact that maize will remain the most productive crop, a variety of cropping alternatives can be included into cropping systems. Some of the alternatives, such as the inclusion of intercrops can increase total biomass yields, but with little exceptions no alternative could prove to be economic in terms of average contribution to profits. On the other hand, by including crops like whole – plant – cereals, perennial forage – mixtures or sorghum, options are given to also increase yield stability, to optimize systems with regard to nutrient management and soil carbon management.

Keywords:

biogas, energy crops, sustainability, crop rotation

Topic:

Plenaries

Subtopic:

Algae and energy crops: future research development

Event:

19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

PC1.4

Pages:

27 - 30

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-55-4

ISBN-10:

88-89407-55-7

Paper DOI:

10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-PC1.4

Price:

FREE