Title:
Evaluation of Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum L.) Suitability under the Mediterranean Environmental Conditions: Preliminary Results
Author(s):
Nassi o Di Nasso, N., Lasorella, M.V., Tozzini, C., Ragaglini, G., Bonari, E.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
This work describes part of the research activities conducted within the ENERPAN project. The main aim of the project is to increase the agronomic and physiological knowledge concerning the suitability of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) genotypes for energy use in the Mediterranean environment. Our research activity focused on investigating different crop management systems, in order to optimize switchgrass biomass production. Three field trials were carried out in spring 2010: (i) six switchgrass varieties were compared assessing their morphological and physiological responses to the Mediterranean environmental conditions; (ii) two switchgrass varieties were studied to investigate the influence of water and nitrogen level on crop yield, (iii) the sustainability of switchgrass cropping system was evaluated, at farm level for two different switchgrass varieties (e.g. production, energy balance, GHG emission etc.). Preliminary results on biomass yield response to the environmental conditions and to crop management seem to show a good suitability of some switchgrass varieties to our environment with promising biomass productions. Furthermore, nitrogen and water levels seems to affect switchgrass yield. Our results referred just to the first year of growth, for this reason, further studies are needed to evaluate switchgrass performances in the long term and to estimate the crop cycle length of this perennial species in our climate.
Keywords:
energy crops, switchgrass, water, N rate, suitability
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Energy crops (session 5)
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
VP1.3.23
Pages:
615 - 618
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP1.3.23
Price:
FREE
