Title:
Carbon Fluxes and Yield Variability of Switchgrass in Northern Italy: Preliminary First Year Data
Author(s):
Di Virgilio, N., Nardino, M., Facini, O., Zatta, A., Monti, A., Rossi, F.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to measure carbon fluxes using the eddy covariance approach of a large field of switchgrass starting from the field establishment of the crop. The eddy covariance approach, based on the covariance between fluctuations of vertical wind velocity and CO2 and vapour mixing ratios, has been largely used to determine the Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) of forest ecosystems. Few studies have been carried out on cultivated biomass crops and perennial grasses as switchgrass, and in particular under Mediterranean conditions. The eddy covariance technique allows to assess a reliable CO2 balance able to define the potential of the entire agro-ecosystem to act as source or sink of C. The high time-resolution measurements allows accurate daily, seasonal and annual quantification of C fluxes. Total switchgrass biomass yield was 6.8 t ha-1 (as dry matter) at final harvest (23 October). A continuous map of the spatial distribution of yield through several harvests has been also produced. The eddy covariance measurement revealed a good potential of switchgrass to store carbon during the seasons, with a NEE cumulated value during the whole vegetative season (from May to October) of 4.7 t C ha-1 while the GPP for the same period was 10.2 t C ha-1 and the ecosystem respiration Re was 5.5 t C ha-1.
Keywords:
measurement, panicum virgatum, switchgrass, CO2 balance, yield
Topic:
Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability
Subtopic:
Environmental impacts of bioenergy
Event:
21st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
5AV.2.3
Pages:
1844 - 1847
ISBN:
978-88-89407-53-0
Paper DOI:
10.5071/21stEUBCE2013-5AV.2.3
Price:
FREE
