Title:
Identification of the Optimal Harvest Date for the Energy Crops Sudan Grass (Sorghum Sudanense) and Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus Tuberosus L.)
Author(s):
Wünsch, K., Gruber, S., Claupein, W.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
High-yealding crops are needed to produce renewable energy based on biomass. Two not yet widely used but promising crops in term of yield potential are Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf) and Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.). Basic concepts for the cultivation are still missing. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal harvest dates and levels of nitrogen fertilization for Sudan grass and Jerusalem artichoke to achieve highest biomass yields. The effects of different fertilization levels and different harvest dates were tested in field experiments in SW-Germany over two years. Soil mineral nitrogen, dry matter yield, dry matter content and length of the whole crop were measured. Dry matter yields of Sudan grass increased from 7.0 t ha-1 at the early harvest/ heading up to 8.5 t ha-1 at the late harvest/ after flowering. Jerusalem artichoke achieves highest yields with 15.3 t ha-1 at the middle harvest date/ flowering. The experimental factor fertilization within the factor harvest date did not show significant higher dry matter yields. The results indicate that high biomass yields of both energy crops depend on crop specific characteristics and can be characterized by dry matter content and stage of plant development at harvest.
Keywords:
biomass, energy crops, harvesting
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Energy crops (session 5)
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
VP1.3.6
Pages:
556 - 560
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP1.3.6
Price:
FREE
