Nitrogen and Harvest Impact on Warm-season Grass Biomass Yield and Feedstock Quality PDF Download

Author: Chamara Sandaruwan Weerasekara Imbulana Acharige
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 112

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Perennial warm-season grasses have drawn interest as bioenergy feedstocks due to their high productivity with minimal amounts of inputs under a wide range of geography while producing multiple environmental benefits. Nitrogen (N) fertility and harvest timing are critical management practices when optimizing biomass yield of these grasses. Our objective was to quantify the impact of N fertilizer rate and application timing in combination with the harvest date on warm-season grass yield and feedstock quality. Research was conducted in 2014 and 2015 on a total of four field-plot locations in Missouri. The experiment was a split-plot design where N rate and harvest timing were main and sub-plot treatments, respectively. Nitrogen rates were 0, 30, 60, and 90 lbs/ac with two application timings, all early spring and split N (early spring and following 1st harvest). Harvest timing treatments included two single (September and November) and two double harvests (June harvest followed by a September or a November harvest) per year. In both years, delaying harvest until November improved biomass yield, energy and ethanol production while reducing total N and ash contents across sites. November harvest and N rates [greater than or equal to]60 lbs/ac improved biomass yields. Although N fertilization improved yield, N use metrics declined with annual N rates of [greater than]30 lbs/ac. Nitrogen fertilization at 60 lbs/ac per year provides an opportunity to maintain a balance between yield and efficiency of N inputs while improving energy and ethanol production, high feedstock quality. Our results highlight the simultaneous implications of N fertilization and harvest management for optimizing warm-season grasses grown as bioenergy feedstocks.

Author: Naroon Waramit
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 404

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Author: Naroon Waramit
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Author: Yogendra Shastri
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1489980148
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 269

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Book Description
The biomass based energy sector, especially the one based on lignocellulosic sources such as switchgrass Miscanthus, forest residues and short rotation coppice, will play an important role in our drive towards renewable energy. The biomass feedstock production (BFP) subsystem provides the necessary material inputs to the conversion processes for energy production. This subsystem includes the agronomic production of energy crops and the physical handling and delivery of biomass, as well as other enabling logistics. Achieving a sustainable BFP system is therefore paramount for the success of the emerging bioenergy sector. However, low bulk and energy densities, seasonal and weather sensitive availability, distributed supply and lack of commercial scale production experience create unique challenges. Moreover, novel region specific feedstock alternatives continue to emerge. Engineering will play a critical role in addressing these challenges and ensuring the techno-economic feasibility of this sector. It must also integrate with the biological, physical and chemical sciences and incorporate externalities, such as social/economic considerations, environmental impact and policy/regulatory issues, to achieve a truly sustainable system. Tremendous progress has been made in the past few years while new challenges have simultaneously emerged that need further investigation. It is therefore prudent at this time to review the current status and capture the future challenges through a comprehensive book. This work will serve as an authoritative treatise on the topic that can help researchers, educators and students interested in the field of biomass feedstock production, with particular interest in the engineering aspects.​ ​

Author: David Hemming
Publisher: CABI
ISBN: 1780643004
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 282

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Plant Sciences Reviews 2012 provides scientists and students with analysis on key topics in current research, including plant diseases, genetics, climate impacts, biofuels and postharvest. Experts such as Frances Seymour, Roger Jones, Paul Christou and Errol Hewitt provide incisive reviews of their fields. Originally published online in CAB Reviews, this volume makes available in printed form the reviews in plant science published during 2012.

Author: Andrea Monti
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1447129032
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 214

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The demand for renewable energies from biomass is growing steadily as policies are enacted to encourage such development and as industry increasingly sees an opportunity to develop bio-energy enterprises. Recent policy changes in the EU, USA and other countries are spurring interest in the cultivation of energy crops such as switchgrass. Switchgrass has gained and early lead in the race to find a biomass feedstock for energy production (and for the almost requisite need for bio-based products from such feedstocks). Switchgrass: A Valuable Biomass Crop for Energy provides a comprehensive guide to the biology, physiology, breeding, culture and conversion of switchgrass as well as highlighting various environmental, economic and social benefits. Considering this potential energy source, Switchgrass: A Valuable Biomass Crop for Energy brings together chapters from a range of experts in the field, including a foreword from Kenneth P. Vogel, to collect and present the environmental benefits and characteristics of this a crop with the potential to mitigate the risks of global warming by replacing fossil fuels. Including clear figures and tables to support discussions, Switchgrass: A Valuable Biomass Crop for Energy provides a solid reference for anyone with interest or investment in the development of bioenergy; researchers, policy makers and stakeholders will find this a key resource.

Author: Donald L. Sparks
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128174056
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description
Advances in Agronomy, Volume 153, the latest release in this comprehensive series, continues its recognition as a leading, first-rate source for the latest research in agronomy. Each volume contains an eclectic group of reviews by leading scientists throughout the world. As always, the subjects covered are rich, varied, and exemplary of the abundant subject matter addressed by this long-running serial. Chapters in this updated volume include Novel Practice and Smart Technologies to Maximize the Nitrogen Fertilizer Value of Manure for Crop Production in Cold Humid Temperate Regions, Nitrogen Fertilization Management of Switchgrass, Miscanthus and Giant Reed: A Review, and much more. Includes numerous, timely, state-of-the-art reviews on the latest advancements in agronomy Features distinguished, well recognized authors from around the world Builds upon the venerable and iconic Advances in Agronomy series Covers the extensive variety and breadth of subject matter in the crop and soil sciences

Author: Anju Dahiya
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128154985
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 892

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Book Description
Bioenergy: Biomass to Biofuels and Waste to Energy, Second Edition presents a complete overview of the bioenergy value chain, from feedstock to end products. It examines current and emerging feedstocks and advanced processes and technologies enabling the development of all possible alternative energy sources. Divided into seven parts, bioenergy gives thorough consideration to topics such as feedstocks, biomass production and utilization, life-cycle analysis, energy return on invested, integrated sustainability assessments, conversions technologies, biofuels economics, business, and policy. In addition, contributions from leading industry professionals and academics, augmented by related service-learning case studies and quizzes, provide readers with a comprehensive resource that connect theory to real-world implementation.Bioenergy: Biomass to Biofuels and Waste to Energy, Second Edition provides engineers, researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, and business professionals in the bioenergy field with valuable, practical information that can be applied to implementing renewable energy projects, choosing among competing feedstocks, technologies, and products. It also serves as a basic resource for civic leaders, economic development professionals, farmers, investors, fleet managers, and reporters interested in an organized introduction to the language, feedstocks, technologies, and products in the biobased renewable energy world. Includes current and renewed subject matter, project case studies from real world, and topic-specific sections on the impacts of biomass use for energy production from all sorts of biomass feedstocks including organic waste of all kinds Provides a comprehensive overview and in-depth technical information of all possible bioenergy resources: solid (wood energy, grass energy, waste, and other biomass), liquid (biodiesel, algae biofuel, ethanol, waste to oils, etc.), and gaseous/electric (biogas, syngas, biopower, RNG), and cutting-edge topics such as advanced fuels Integrates current state of art coverage on feedstocks, cost-effective conversion processes, biofuels economic analysis, environmental policy, and triple bottom line Features quizzes for each section derived from the implementation of actual hands-on biofuel projects as part of service learning

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 85

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The adoption of perennial warm-season grass crops for bioenergy production faces significant social, economic, and agronomic challenges. To overcome these hurdles, three separate studies were completed that evaluated alternative plant breeding and agronomic approaches. The first study evaluated the tradeoffs required for breeding programs to incorporate selection for reduced biomass nitrogen concentration. Biomass Yield and nitrogen concentration had a negative genetic correlation (-0.43), but a 50% increase in biomass yield will result in a 37% increase in nitrogen removal with direct selection for biomass yield. Incorporating the goal of reducing nitrogen concentration into a breeding program would result in improving nitrogen reduction by 225% per cycle as compared to direct yield selection, with only a 26% reduction in biomass yield gains. Reducing nitrogen concentration in biomass will improve quality for use of biomass in a combustion system and have minimal effects on quality in an ethanol conversion system. An alternative approach to reduce inputs is to incorporate legumes into warm-season grass crops. Once established, red clover addition increased biomass yields in unfertilized swards to levels equivalent to fertilization of 112 kg nitrogen ha-1 and reduced weed cover by 7%. The yield gains with clover addition were consistent regardless of the warm-season grass accession tested and were due to the production of biomass by the clover. The incorporation of legumes in mixtures with perennial warm-season grasses can and should play a part in improving the viability of these cropping systems. The purpose of the third study was to determine whether increasing genetic diversity can increase biomass yields and reduce weed pressure at the population-level using switchgrass monocultures, big bluestem monocultures, and mixtures of the two species. Genetic diversity was the best predictor of productivity and weed cover, with increased diversity resulting in an increase in productivity of up to 6% and a reduction in weed cover of up to 18.4% in switchgrass and big bluestem monocultures. Only switchgrass genetic diversity was predictive of productivity in species mixtures, but total genetic diversity in species mixtures reduced weed cover by 8.7%.

Author: J. Richard Hess
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2889634655
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 319

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The success of lignocellulosic biofuels and biochemical industries depends upon an economic and reliable supply of quality biomass. However, research and development efforts have historically focused on the utilization of agriculturally-derived, cellulosic feedstocks without consideration of their low energy density, high variations in physical and chemical characteristics and potential supply risks in terms of availability and affordability. This Research Topic will explore strategies that enable supply chain improvements in biomass quality and consistency through blending, preprocessing, diversity and landscape design for development of conversion-ready, lignocellulosic feedstocks for production of biofuels and bio-products. Biomass variability has proven a formidable challenge to the emerging biorefining industry, impeding continuous operation and reducing yields required for economical production of lignocellulosic biofuels at scale. Conventional supply systems lack the preprocessing capabilities necessary to ensure consistent biomass feedstocks with physical and chemical properties that are compatible with supply chain operations and conversion processes. Direct coupling of conventional feedstock supply systems with sophisticated conversion systems has reduced the operability of biorefining processes to less than 50%. As the bioeconomy grows, the inherent variability of biomass resources cannot be managed by passive means alone. As such, there is a need to fully recognize the magnitude of biomass variability and uncertainty, as well as the cost of failing to design feedstock supply systems that can mitigate biomass variability and uncertainty. A paradigm shift is needed, from biorefinery designs using raw, single-resource biomass, to advanced feedstock supply systems that harness diverse biomass resources to enable supply chain resilience and development of conversion-ready feedstocks. Blending and preprocessing (e.g., drying, sorting, sizing, fractionation, leaching, densification, etc.) can mitigate variable quality and performance in diverse resources when integrated with downstream conversion systems. Decoupling feedstock supply from biorefining provides an opportunity to manage supply risks and incorporate value-added upgrading to develop feedstocks with improved convertibility and/ or market fungibility. Conversion-ready feedstocks have undergone the required preprocessing to ensure compatibility with conversion and utilization prior to delivery at the biorefinery and represent lignocellulosic biomass with physical and chemical properties that are tailored to meet the requirements of industrially-relevant handling and conversion systems.