Download or read book Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Switchgrass and Cottonwood Grown as Bioenergy Crops in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley written by Michele Lea Helton and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Marginal land of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV) has the potential to be utilized for the production of bioenergy feedstocks. Soil respiration is the gaseous emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) from microbes and plant roots in the soil, and these emissions play an important role in the global cycling of carbon. Soil respiration can act as a positive feedback affecting climate change, and has been shown to vary depending on soil moisture, temperature, and vegetation. The objectives of this study where to evaluate the effects of land use [switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), and a soybean (Glycine max)-grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) agroecosystem] on monthly soil respiration and estimated annual CO2 emissions on a silt loam in east-central Arkansas throughout 2012 and 2013. Annual CO2 emissions were calculated by linear interpolation between monthly measurements. Soil respiration from all three ecosystems followed the same general trend: increasing from January to May and decreasing from September to December, peak fluxes differed significantly (p

Download or read book Economics of Switchgrass in the Great Plains written by Victoria Omojeso and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 76 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fossil fuels account for approximately three quarters of anthropogenic carbon emissions (Houghton et al., 2001). Cleaner alternative sources of fuels that release less carbon dioxide (CO2) are required to reduce carbon emission affecting global climate change. In 2015 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change set forth a goal to limit global temperature increases to 2°C; however, to accomplish this goal, negative emissions technologies such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) must be developed. Bioenergy crop such as switchgrass, remove atmospheric CO2 as they grow and have potential to be used in a carbon capture and storage (CCS) process. Switchgrass is being evaluated as a potential feedstock source for cellulosic biofuels and many studies have assessed the biophysical potential over large areas and across different geographic locations ((Gu, Wylie, & Howard, 2015) (Hartman, Nippert, & Springer, 2012; Hartman and Nippert, 2012). However, the economic potential of producing switchgrass, accounting for profitability relative to alternative crops, has received less research attention. Switchgrass production must not only be biophysically possible, but must also be profitable for BECCS to be adopted on a large scale as a negative emission technology to successfully mitigate climate change. I added economic feasibility to biophysical potential to evaluate the economics of switchgrass in the Great Plains. The result from this study can help farmers in making economic decisions regarding converting to switchgrass production and biofuel investors make decisions about switchgrass development in the Upper Missouri River Basin (UMRB). I use the switchgrass productivity model from Gu et al. 2015 to determine switchgrass biophysical potential (yields/acre). I then use switchgrass yields by sub-regions in annual farm budget to predict the economic potential of switchgrass in these sub-regions under different price scenarios. I also predict the feasibility of farmers in the UMRB converting to producing switchgrass based on the predicted economic potential. Results suggest that only 77 million acres of land may be available for switchgrass production in the UMRB. Moreover, for switchgrass to be economically viable in the regions, weighted average annual switchgrass yield must exceed 2.447, 3.055, 2.376 and 1.024 tons per acre in CMP, EHP, NGP and WBR sub-regions of the UMRB, and in order to break-even in the short run, total revenue per acre from switchgrass production would need to be at least $118.56, $128.73, $128.92, and $130.56 per acre in WBR, NGP, CMP, and EHP respectively. Furthermore, producers will need to receive prices that are greater than $100.00/ton to be profitable in CMP, EHP, and NGP. However, a price above $100.00 will be needed to encourage farmers to convert into large scale switchgrass production in the Upper Missouri River Basin.

Download or read book Switchgrass Production as a Bioenergy Crop in Mississippi written by Mark W. Shankle and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 24 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Impact of Switchgrass Bioenergy Feedstock Production on Soil Carbon Dioxide Flux and Below Ground Soil Organic Carbon Storage in East Tennessee written by Leah Denise Soro and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 77 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bioenergy production from switchgrass has shown promise in restoring degraded soils and helping to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. CO2 loss and C-sequestration in soils are important topics for research to better understand the environmental impacts of bioenergy crops. The need for more thorough research of the carbon cycle in soils used for bioenergy production precipitated the primary interest of this study. The specific objectives of this study were 1) to measure SOC under switchgrass production in order to predict storage of carbon in soils based on previous cropping history, land management, soil physical characteristics, and time; and to 2) measure soil CO2 flux through the entire year to establish a) the annual, seasonal, and daily respiration rates, and b) use this data with soil carbon data to better understand the carbon life cycle in soils under switchgrass production in East Tennessee. Chapter 1 of the study was conducted on twelve farms across East Tennessee. Seven previous different cropping systems, four soil textural classes, and four soil taxonomy classes are represented in this study. There was an increase in SOC of roughly 1 Mg ha−1 from 2008 to 2011. No-till planting resulted in a significant increase in SOC compared to conventional tillage planting resulting in no significant changes in SOC. Chapter 2 results as hypothesized, soil temperature and moisture had a significant influence on CO2 flux variance. Soil temperature and soil moisture were able to explain 83% and 81.5% of variance in flux from clumps (cover) and between clumps (bare) respectively. The summer months exhibited the highest flux rate followed by spring, fall, and finally winter. Although largely overlooked in previous research, the winter months did contribute 5.4 MgCO2 ha−1 season−1 (±2.5 MgCO2 ha−1 season−1) from clumps (cover) and 4.0 MgCO2 ha−1 season−1 (±3.2 MgCO2 ha−1 season−1) from between clumps (bare). Annual switchgrass flux rate was 7.39 MgCO2 ha−1 (±4.08 MgCO2 ha−1).

Download or read book Switchgrass written by Andrea Monti and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-03-09 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.

Download or read book Soil and Variety Effects on Energy Use and Carbon Emissions Associated with Switchgrass based Ethanol Production in Mississippi written by and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: High biomass production potential, wide adaptability, low input requirement, and low environmental risk make switchgrass an economically and ecologically viable energy crop. The inherent variablity in switchgrass productivity due to variations in soil and variety could affect the sustainability and eco-friendliness of switchgrass-based ethanol production. This study examined the soil and variety effects on these variables. Three locations in Mississippi were selected based on latitude and potential acreage. Using ALMANAC, switchgrass biomass yields were simulated for several scenarios of soils and varities. The simulated yields were fed to IBSAL to compute energy use and CO2 emissions in various operations in the biomass supply From the energy and emissions values, the sustainability and eco-friendliness of ethanol production were determined using net energy value (NEV) and carbon credit balance (CCB) as indicators, respectively. Soil and variety effects on NEV and CCB were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results showed significant differences in NEV and CCB across soils and varieties. Both NEV and CCB increased in the direction of heavier to lighter soils and on the order of north-upland, south-upland, north-lowland, and south-lowland varieties. Only north-upland and south-lowland varieties were significantly significantly different because they were different in both cytotype and ecotype. Gaps between lowland and upland varieties were smaller in a dry year than in a wet year. The NEV and CCB increased in the direction of dry to wet year. From south to north, they decreased for lowland cytotypes but increased for upland cytotypes. Thus, the differences among varieties decreased northwards.

Download or read book Compendium of Bioenergy Plants written by Hong Luo and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2014-03-14 with total page 463 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book contains the most comprehensive reviews on the latest development of switchgrass research including the agronomy of the plant, the use of endophytes and mycorrhizae for biomass production, genetics and breeding of bioenergy related traits, molecular genetics and molecular breeding, genomics, transgenics, processing, bioconversion, biosyst

Download or read book Developing Switchgrass as a Bioenergy Crop written by and published by . This book was released on 1998 with total page 35 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The utilization of energy crops produced on American farms as a source of renewable fuels is a concept with great relevance to current ecological and economic issues at both national and global scales. Development of a significant national capacity to utilize perennial forage crops, such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, L.) as biofuels could benefit our agricultural economy by providing an important new source of income for farmers. In addition energy production from perennial cropping systems, which are compatible with conventional fining practices, would help reduce degradation of agricultural soils, lower national dependence on foreign oil supplies, and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants to the atmosphere (McLaughlin 1998). Interestingly, on-farm energy production is a very old concept, extending back to 19th century America when both transpofiation and work on the farm were powered by approximately 27 million draft animals and fueled by 34 million hectares of grasslands (Vogel 1996). Today a new form of energy production is envisioned for some of this same acreage. The method of energy production is exactly the same - solar energy captured in photosynthesis, but the subsequent modes of energy conversion are vastly different, leading to the production of electricity, transportation fuels, and chemicals from the renewable feedstocks. While energy prices in the United States are among the cheapest in the world, the issues of high dependency on imported oil, the uncertainties of maintaining stable supplies of imported oil from finite reserves, and the environmental costs associated with mining, processing, and combusting fossil fuels have been important drivers in the search for cleaner burning fuels that can be produced and renewed from the landscape. At present biomass and bioenergy combine provide only about 4% of the total primary energy used in the U.S. (Overend 1997). By contrast, imported oil accounts for approximately 44% of the foreign trade deficit in the U.S. and about 45% of the total annual U.S. oil consumption of 34 quads (1 quad = 1015 Btu, Lynd et al. 1991). The 22 quads of oil consumed by transportation represents approximately 25% of all energy use in the US and excedes total oil imports to the US by about 50%. This oil has environmental and social costs, which go well beyond the purchase price of around $15 per barrel. Renewable energy from biomass has the potential to reduce dependency on fossil fhels, though not to totally replace them. Realizing this potential will require the simultaneous development of high yielding biomass production systems and bioconversion technologies that efficiently convert biomass energy into the forms of energy and chemicals usable by industry. The endpoint criterion for success is economic gain for both agricultural and industrial sectors at reduced environmental cost and reduced political risk. This paper reviews progress made in a program of research aimed at evaluating and developing a perennial forage crop, switchgrass as a regional bioenergy crop. We will highlight here aspects of research progress that most closely relate to the issues that will determine when and how extensively switchgrass is used in commercial bioenergy production.

Download or read book Switchgrass Cultivar and Intraspecific Diversity Impacts on Nitrogen Use Efficiency written by Aislinn Johns and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 42 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Bioenergy feedstock production is an important component of the national renewable energy strategy, which is based on biomass supply. Biofuels for ethanol production may be produced in high-input crop production systems, but the efficacy of these systems for increasing net energy yields over its full life-cycle compared to traditional fuels is under debate, because it is now evident that the benefits of feedstock production are maximized only when biofuels are derived from feedstocks produced with much lower life-cycle greenhouse-gas emissions than traditional fossil fuels. To this end, the reduction of agricultural inputs is key to developing an effective biofuel feedstock crop. Native prairie grasses have low-input production requirements, and upon land conversion for biofuel production they have positive impacts on belowground carbon (C) sequestration, a measure of soil quality. Specifically, Panicum virgatum (hereafter switchgrass), a perennial C4 grass native to the mid-west of the United States, is a promising bioenergy crop. It has large root systems, which allow it to produce large amounts of biomass with less water and nutrient requirements than traditional bioenergy crops, such as corn. To produce switchgrass feedstock in an environmentally sustainably manner (i.e., with the least amount of fertilizer inputs), we will need to adopt agricultural practices that promote N cycling efficiency in the system. Previous studies have found that different cultivars of switchgrass vary significantly in specific root length (SRL), and greater SRL may be linked to greater N acquisition owing to the root systems' greater surface area. In addition, it has been found that growing switchgrass in genotypically diverse mixtures enhanced biomass production, which may result from belowground niche differentiation and complementarity effects that enhance N acquisition. With this study, I aimed to evaluate (1) whether differences in the architecture among root systems of switchgrass cultivars led to differences in the efficiency of nitrogen uptake, and (2) whether growing switchgrass cultivars in diverse mixtures would enhance the efficiency of nitrogen cycling though niche differentiation and complementarity effects. Our experiment was conducted at the Sustainable Bioenergy Crop Research Facility at the Fermilab National Environmental Research Park, where experimental field plots consisted of seven switchgrass cultivars, planted either in monoculture or in diverse mixtures of 2, 4, or 6 randomly selected cultivars. To evaluate differences in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) among cultivars in monocultures and among diversity treatments, I applied a stable isotope 15N tracer at the beginning of the growing season. Following senescence, the switchgrass was harvested and the percent of 15N recovered was measured in the aboveground biomass to determine NUE. I found that switchgrass cultivars differed in NUE and these differences could potentially be linked to germplasm origin in relation to the field site. I also found that NUE was not influenced by increases in cultivar diversity. Our results suggest that NUE is not the sole mechanism behind greater biomass production associated with enhanced diversity."--Boise State University ScholarWorks.

Download or read book Agro climatic and Land Suitability Mapping for Switchgrass Grown as a Bioenergy Crop in North Dakota written by Navin Thapa and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Impact of Switching Production to Bioenergy Crops written by Scott McDonald and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 60 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Soil Carbon Changes for Bioenergy Crops written by and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 5 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bioenergy crops, which displace fossil fuels when used to produce ethanol, biobased products, and/or electricity, have the potential to further reduce atmospheric carbon levels by building up soil carbon levels, especially when planted on lands where these levels have been reduced by intensive tillage. The purpose of this study is to improve the characterization of the soil carbon (C) sequestration for bioenergy crops (switchgrass, poplars, and willows) in the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model (Wang 1999) by using the latest results reported in the literature and by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Because soil carbon sequestration for bioenergy crops can play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for cellulosic ethanol, it is important to periodically update the estimates of soil carbon sequestration from bioenergy crops as new and better data become available. We used the three-step process described below to conduct our study.

Download or read book Evaluation of Switchgrass as an Energy Feedstock microform Economic Feasibility and Carbon Dioxide Accounting written by Ahmad Tayara and published by National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada. This book was released on 1994 with total page 115 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Energy availability and environmental issues are of growing concern; nations are striving to use energy more efficiently while at the same time decreasing the negative impacts on the environment." --

Download or read book Net Ecosystem Exchange of Carbon Dioxide and Water Vapor Fluxes in Switchgrass and High Biomass Sorghum written by Pradeep Wagle and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Understanding carbon and water dynamics of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and high biomass sorghum ((Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) ecosystems is crucial as the acreage of these feedstocks is expanding for cellulosic biofuels. Net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 and H2O was measured using eddy covariance system over co-located switchgrass and sorghum fields in south central Oklahoma, USA. The major objectives of this study were to quantify and examine seasonal variations in NEE, evapotranspiration (ET), and ecosystem water use efficiency (EWUE) over switchgrass and sorghum ecosystems in response to controlling factors, and to explore the underlying mechanisms. The results revealed photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) as the most significant environmental factor for variation in NEE under optimal weather conditions. However, warm air temperature and high vapor pressure deficit (VPD) obscured the NEE-PPFD relationship. Larger VPD (>3 kPa) limited photosynthesis and asymmetrical diurnal NEE cycles were observed in both ecosystems. Consequently, rectangular hyperbolic light-response curve (NEE partitioning algorithm) consistently failed to provide good fits at high VPD. Modified rectangular hyperbolic light&ndashVPD response model accounted for the limitation of VPD on photosynthesis and improved the model performance significantly. The magnitudes of CO2 and H2O fluxes were similar in both ecosystems during the active growing periods and the differences in carbon sink potential and seasonal water demand were primarily driven by the length of the growing season. Monthly ensemble averaged NEE of switchgrass and sorghum reached seasonal peak values of -33.02 ±1.96 and -35.86 ± 2.32 mumol m−2s−1, respectively. Similarly, weekly average of daily integrated NEE reached seasonal peaks of -8.5 g C m−2 day−1 in switchgrass and -10.3 g C m−2 day−1 in sorghum. During peak growth, daily ET reached up to 6.2 mm day−1 for switchgrass and 6.7 mm day−1 for sorghum. The EWUE was about 12 g CO2 mm−1 ET in switchgrass and about 10 g CO2 mm−1 ET in sorghum. This research showed strong seasonal carbon sink potential and high water use efficiency of both ecosystems in this region. However, evaluation over a longer term would be more valuable.

Download or read book Herbaceous Biomass Production written by Jason Brett Rushing and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 7 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Carbon Sequestration and Biomass Production Potentials of Switchgrass pine Agroforestry Systems in the Southeastern Coastal Plain written by Martin R. Day and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 61 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Author's abstract: Global climate change is the biggest environmental challenge of this century. Potential climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies are to replace fossil fuels with bioenergy sources that have near-zero net CO2 emission and to utilize practices that promote carbon sequestration. This study assesses the soil carbon sequestration and bioenergy production potentials of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) agroforestry systems in the southeastern coastal plain. Switchgrass has high biomass yield potential under low nutritional and management requirements and longleaf pine is a common native tree species in the southeastern coastal plain. The primary goal of this study was to establish a first-year rotation of switchgrass amongst three fertilizer treatments across four stands of longleaf pine to assess biomass production, carbon sequestration, and isotopic identification of soil carbon sources (C3 vs C4 plants). The three fertilizer treatments were no fertilizer, inorganic, and organic. The N:P:K ratio for both inorganic and organic fertilizers were 11:2:2. Inorganic fertilizer resulted highest yield of switchgrass under the agroforestry systems compared to the monoculture stands of switchgrass. The comparison between before and after study soil carbon stocking did not show any significant carbon sequestration in the study plots. The isotopic analysis revealed that the predominant carbon source came from C3 plant (pine) contributions, probably a result of pine timber practices that were established at the field sites for many years prior to the study. The presence of longleaf pine artificial stands may have favored the establishment of switchgrass when compared to monoculture planting. Since no carbon was sequestered within the one year timeframe, an extended study needs to be conducted for further insight on how much carbon can be sequestered over multiple seasons of implementing this practice.

Download or read book Evaluation of Switchgrass M X Giganteus and Sorghum as Biomass Crops Effects of Environment and Field Management Practices written by Matthew W. Maughan and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), Miscanthus x giganteus (M. x giganteus), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) have been proposed as potential bioenergy feedstock crops. This study evaluates how these crops performs in different environments under different crop management practices, particularly nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates. Chapter 1 provides the rationale of this research and a general discussion of the unique characteristics of these three crops. In Chapter 2, an extensive database of switchgrass biomass yields from 106 sites and 45 field studies in eastern two thirds of the USA and southeastern Canada is evaluated using descriptive statistics, and using a random coefficients model. Switchgrass has been researched extensively in North America as a biomass crop and data reported since the 19900́9s reveal large variability in dry biomass yields which are related to multiple environment and field management practices. This analysis describes switchgrass biomass N response, and shows that in addition to N fertilizer rate the most important factors affecting switchgrass dry biomass yields are growing region, spring precipitation, growing season, ecotype, and harvest timing. Chapter 3 remarks that studies reporting M. x giganteus dry biomass yields to date in the USA are few in number and little information is available to suggest a suitable growing region. This study investigates M. x giganteus in four Midwest and Atlantic Coast environments under three N rates. Establishment success, plant growth, morphology, and dry biomass yields were evaluated and results reveal no response to N rate during the establishment years, large biomass yield differences among environments, and decreased yield when the crop experienced a combination of high heat and dry conditions. Chapter 4 introduces two types of sorghum, forage sorghum and biomass sorghum (referred to as energy sorghum) which have been proposed as crops with high biomass production potential although prior to this study no research had evaluated these sorghum types grown for biomass in IL. This field study evaluated two forage sorghum and two energy sorghum hybrids in four IL environments under different N rates. Measurements of morphology and crop growth were measured throughout the growing season, and dry biomass yields revealed significant differences between the two sorghum types. The energy sorghum hybrids achieved the greatest biomass yields in each environment with the effects of environment and N rate affecting the biomass yields. The results of these studies provide valuable information for stakeholders, producers, and scientists regarding the impact of environment and management practices on biomass yields of switchgrass, M. x giganteus, and sorghum. It is necessary that these factors be evaluated prior to making decisions as to which crop species and which cultivar or hybrid to plant in a given location. In most cases, no regional recommendations for species selection and N fertility rates are adequate and most field management practices must be made on a site-by-site basis.