Title:
Strip-Wise Cultivation of Annual and Perennial Crops - A Sustainable Alternative Cropping System for the Production of Biogas Substrate
Author(s):
Mast, B., Graeff-Hönninger, S., Konrad, C., Göttlicher, G., Claupein, W.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
In Germany, the agricultural area cropped with maize increased intensively over the last couple of years. This increase is partly attributed to the role of maize as main biogas substrate. On many sites, maize is considered as favourable biogas crop as it provides high energy yields per hectare and is an established crop in the context of management and crop rotation. However, the strong focus of the agricultural practise on maize cropping systems associated with an increasing maize density is often highly criticised due to possible negative ecological impacts. Furthermore, diseases and pests may increase as a result of an intensive maize cultivation and thus could endanger stable and high biomass yields of maize in the future. A broader diversification of the substrate supply using alternative crops and alternative cropping systems could offer a possible solution to reduce the maize density and ensure sustainable biogas production. A strip-wise cropping system was developed consisting of a crop rotation with annual crops and a perennial crop, combining ecological and economical benefits, as well as providing more and new diversity aspects. The alternative cropping system is tested on two sites in South-West of Germany. Field trials started in spring 2011 and the cropping systems will be monitored and evaluated over a five-year period with regard to relevant ecological and economical parameters.
Keywords:
biodiversity, biogas, maize, strip-wise cropping system
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Energy crops (session 4)
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
OC4.1
Pages:
173 - 177
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-OC4.1
Price:
FREE
