Title:
Cropping Systems for Biomass Feedstock Production in the North Central Region, USA
Author(s):
Berti, M., Samarappuli, D., Nudell, R., Johnson, B.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
The ability to integrate bioenergy feedstocks into existing agriculture production systems without straining existing food, feed, and fiber supplies requires advanced crop management. Two strategies to advance towards this objective were studied, 1) use of cover crops before energy-dedicated crops, and 2) use of alfalfa-grass mixtures to produce biomass with lower nitrogen input. To meet the first objective seven cover crop treatments were planted in the fall followed by five annual biomass crops. Results across environments indicated forage pea biological dinitrogen fixation was about 61 kg of N/ha in only 40 days growth in the fall. The annual dedicated energy crops corn, sweet sorghum, and forage sorghum biomass yields were 2 to 3 Mg/ha higher than the check when following a legume cover crop. Thirteen different grasses were evaluated in mixture with alfalfa and compared to alfalfa in monoculture. The combined analysis indicated the highest forage yield was for reed canarygrass in monoculture (14 Mg/ha) or in mixture with alfalfa (13.5 Mg/ha) treatments. Both cropping systems studied have great potential for producing biomass feedstock for bioenergy. Using legume cover crops or alfalfa-grass mixtures enhances biomass yield, decreases the need of nitrogen fertilizer, and therefore reduces the cost of biomass production.
Keywords:
perennial energy crops, lignocellulosic sources, annual herbaceous crops
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Energy crops and energy grasses
Event:
20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1DV.2.3
Pages:
474 - 479
ISBN:
978-88-89407-54-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/20thEUBCE2012-1DV.2.3
Price:
FREE
