Title:
Sustainable Biomass Production on Marginal Lands Using a Novel Legume/Grass Mixture
Author(s):
Owens, V.N., Kim, S.U., Albrecht, K.A., Lee, D.K., Sheaffer, C.C., Subramanian, S.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
The value of biological N fixation in sustainable biomass production systems should not be underestimated. Our objectives were to determine 1) the N fertilizer replacement value of kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum Bieb.) grown with prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata Link.) and 2) the effect of initial prairie cordgrass density on total production. Plots were established inIllinois, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, USA in 2010. Kura clover was transplanted on 30-cm centers while prairie cordgrass seedlings were transplanted within the kura clover or in monocultures on either 60-or 90-cm centers to establish two plant densities. Nitrogen (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg/ha) was applied to monoculture prairie cordgrass stands beginning in 2011. Biomass was harvested once annually after senescence in 2010 and 2011. Prairie cordgrass yields ranged from 0.5 to 12.5 and 4.3 to 20.8 Mg/ha in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Prairie cordgrass response to N was not significant in 2011 in three of four locations although yields tended to increase with up to 75 kg N/ha at all sites. Prairie cordgrass yields were lower with 90-cm compared with 60-cm row spacings. In 2010,kura clover constituted more than 50% of the biomass in Wisconsin and Minnesota, but herbicide was used in 2011 to suppress kura clover to less than 5% of total biomass in all states except Minnesota. However, despite herbicide suppression of kura clover, prairie cordgrass yields in mixture with kura clover were generally lower than prairie cordgrass monocultures.
Keywords:
biomass, perennial energy crops, yield
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Energy crops and energy grasses
Event:
20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1CO.6.5
Pages:
196 - 200
ISBN:
978-88-89407-54-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/20thEUBCE2012-1CO.6.5
Price:
FREE
