Download or read book Switchgrass Yield and Quality with Multiple Fertilizer Applications and Harvest Dates written by Thomas Clarkson Keene and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 65 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Genotype Nitrogen and Harvest Management Effects on Switchgrass Production written by Ramdeo Seepaul and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 172 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Use of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) as a forage and feedstock species requires knowledge of fertilizer application rates and harvest timing to optimize yield and quality. Three experiments were conducted at the Brown Loam Branch Experiment Station, Raymond, MS to quantify nitrogen rates, harvest timing, and genotype effects on biomass, nutrient removal, chemical composition and ethanol yield. Dry matter yield varied with N rate, genotype, harvest frequency and timing. Yields among genotypes were: NF/GA992 = NF/GA001 (13.7 Mg ha−1) > Alamo (11.6 Mg ha−1) > Cave-in-Rock (6.1 Mg ha−1). A single (9.5 Mg ha−1) or two harvests annually (10.3 Mg ha−1) produced the greatest dry matter yield. As harvest frequency increased from three (7.3Mg ha−1) to six (5.9 Mg ha−1) harvests annually, yield decreased. There was an effect of N application on yield, but not at application rates greater than 80 kg ha−1. Nitrogen did not consistently affect tissue nutrient concentrations but more frequent harvests led to increased nutrient concentration. Nutrient removal responses to N application were mostly similar to the yield responses. Nitrogen use efficiency and recovery declined as N rate increased. Estimated ethanol yield averaged 162 L Mg−1 for Alamo, NF/GA001 and NF/GA992 . A single (2.4 kL ha−1) or 2 harvests annually (2.3 kL ha−1) produced the greatest ethanol production and was correlated with by biomass yield. Nutrient removal, N use efficiency, N recovery and ethanol production were related to biomass yields rather than chemical composition differences. The findings in this dissertation will enable a database on management effects on ethanol yield and composition, enhance current biomass models, facilitate improved management of feedstock production inputs and improve feasibility of alternative fuel development.

Download or read book Establishment Fertility and Harvest Management for Optimizing Switchgrass Yield and Quality as a Cellulosic Ethanol Feedstock in the Great Lakes Region written by Katherine Kelly Withers and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Assessing Best Management Practices for Improving Switchgrass Establishment and Production written by Amir Sadeghpour and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 147 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a C4-grass indigenous to North America being considered as the "model" energy crop. Switchgrass is difficult to establish and first-year stand failure often challenge the large scale production of switchgrass. Reliable establishment methods and effective weed management practices to produce a harvestable biomass in the establishment year are required. Also, to maximize the economic viability of switchgrass production, appropriate nutrient management and harvests are needed. Thus, we conducted researches to improve switchgrass establishment and production. These studies ranged from finding the most promising switchgrass variety to adjusting switchgrass seeding rate, determine the most appropriate seeding date, seeding methods, weed management, nitrogen application, and harvest management. Currently Cave-in-Rock is a highly suggested upland variety for northern region of United States. Results of our variety trials both at establishment and production level indicated that Carthage and Shawnee could also be considered as promising varieties in northern regions of United States. In a four-year study, Carthage consistently produced higher biomass yield compared with other varieties. A vigor test trial was suggested for adjusting switchgrass seeding rate and we found significant differences between the required seeding rate for producing acceptable first-year biomass in fertile soils and marginal soils. While approximately 7 kg ha-1 seeding rate might be sufficient for fertile soils, 14 kg ha-1 might be required to produce enough established seedling for the same biomass production in a marginal soil. An early planting of switchgrass was not as effective as a late planting in weed suppression but plants were more advanced morphologically thus, produced acceptable biomass yield with root system which ensures successful second-year production. Among cover crops, oat outperformed others (Fallow and Rye) with both suppressing weeds and improving switchgrass establishment. Results suggested drastic differences between no-till planting and seeding with cultipacker seeder where no-till planting into oat produced significantly higher biomass yield compared with cultipacker seeder. A firm seedbed is also another desirable method of planting where significantly improved switchgrass establishment and production was observed with 2 times rolling/cultipacking after seeding. Our findings indicated that application of herbicides is strongly required in the establishment year where a Broad Spectrum application of atrazine, quinclorac, 2,4-D, and dicamba improved switchgrass establishment through effective control of weeds. We found a late-fall harvest could improve switchgrass quality for combustion (less moisture, ash, and nutrient content) without yield reduction for many years. When switchgrass was harvested in late-fall, no response to N application was found. Overall, it is proposed that a no-till planting of switchgrass into oat cover crop with herbicide application planted in early-June could provide a successful stand and later, a late-fall harvest without any N application could maintain crop productivity with acceptable biomass yield and quality for several years.

Download or read book Switchgrass Cultivar Harvest Frequency Fertilizer Source and Irrigation Effects on Near surface Soil Properties in West Central Arkansas written by Alayna Amy Jacobs and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has been identified as a model bioenergy feedstock crop and is expected to become an important feedstock for future renewable fuel generation. Agronomic management combinations that maximize monoculture switchgrass yield are generally well understood; however, little is known about corresponding effects of differing switchgrass management combinations on near-surface soil properties. The objective of this research was to determine the residual near-surface soil property effects of three years (2008 to 2011) of consistent management combinations to maximize switchgrass biomass production, including cultivar ('Alamo' and 'Cave-in-Rock'), harvest frequency (1-cut and 2-cut systems per year), fertilizer source (poultry litter and commercial fertilizer), and irrigation management (irrigated and non-irrigated). Effects on soil properties were assessed on a Leadvale silt loam (fine-silty, siliceous, semiactive, thermic, Typic Fragiudult) at the USDA-NRCS Booneville Plant Materials Center in Logan County by evaluating soil bulk density, total water stable aggregates (TWSA), soil pH and EC, Mehlich-3 extractable soil nutrients, root density, and surface infiltration. Irrigating switchgrass, which did not increase past biomass production, increased (p > 0.01) soil bulk density in treatment combinations where poultry litter was applied (1.40 g cm−3) compared to non-irrigated treatment combinations (1.33 g cm−3). Total WSA concentration was greater (p 0.05) in 'Alamo' (0.91 g g−1) than 'Cave-in-Rock' (0.89 g g−1) treatment combinations when averaged over all other treatment factors. Root density was greater (p = 0.031) in irrigated (2.62 kg m−3) than in non-irrigated (1.65 kg m−3) treatments when averaged over all other treatment factors. Surface infiltration rate under unsaturated conditions was greater (p = 0.01) in the 1-cut (33 mm min−1) than 2-cut (23 mm min−1) harvest treatment combinations when averaged over all other treatment factors, while surface infiltration rate under saturated conditions did not differ among treatment combinations (p 0.05) and averaged 0.79 mm min−1. Results from this study indicate that management decisions to maximize switchgrass biomass production affect soil properties over relatively short periods of time and further research is needed to develop local best management practices to maximize yield while maintaining or improving soil quality.

Download or read book Evalutation sic of Switchgrass and Big Bluestem for Use in Cool season Grazing Systems to Improve Seasonal Forage Yield and Livestock Gains written by Daniel John Hudson and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 458 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

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.

Download or read book Nutrient Sources and Harvest Frequency for Quality Dual Purpose Switchgrass Panicum Virgatum L Production and the Effect of PH Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Biomass and Quality of Two Teff Eragrostis Teff Zucc Trotter Varieties written by Yesuf Assen Mohammed and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 120 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Dual Use Switchgrass written by Jordan Richner and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 45 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Two studies were conducted on established switchgrass plots at Columbia and Mount Vernon, Missouri. The Columbia site was located on Mexico silt loam, and the Mount Vernon site on Viraton silt loam. The first study examined the feasibility of harvesting switchgrass for biomass and summer forage within a season. Yields and forage quality were compared between four harvest management treatments: a single post-frost harvest for biomass, a forage harvest at boot stage followed by a post-frost biomass harvest, biomass harvest at post-anthesis with summer regrowth harvested as forage, and biomass harvest at pre-anthesis with summer regrowth harvested as forage. Summer regrowth was minimal at Mount Vernon due to a fragipan and shallower rooting depth at that site. Regrowth had greater lignin content and as a result, was less digestible. The second study attempted to determine the effect of switchgrass maturity on efficiency of conversion to glucose through enzymatic hydrolysis. These maturity stages included boot stage, pre-anthesis, post-anthesis, full seed, and post-frost. Lignin was not shown to negatively affect efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis. Rather, hemicellulose was shown to negatively impact conversion efficiency, possibly because acid pretreatment was incomplete and thus some hemicellulose remained in the digested material.

Download or read book Management of Switchgrass for the Production of Biofuel written by Leryn E. Gorlitsky and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 89 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a warm-season perennial being considered as a biofuel to meet energy challenges. In Massachusetts, a small state where the price of land is expensive, farmers want to determine if switchgrass can produce sufficient yields for consecutive years to warrant its production. The objective of this study was to determine what harvest management practices affect the vigor and health of switchgrass and which varieties produce the best yields for biofuel production. Four experiments were conducted from 2009-2012. Twelve varieties were tested to determine their viability in the Massachusetts climate. Five were chosen for further chemical analysis. All varieties were harvested in August (senescence), November (killing frost), and April (early spring). A high yielding variety, Cave-in-Rock, known to grow well in northern latitudes, was chosen for more extensive research. In one experiment, a young stand, three years old, received three nitrogen treatments, was cut at two heights, and was harvested at three different times during the year. A mature stand, seven years old, of the same variety located on conservation land, was harvested three times at two cutting heights. These experiments were done to provide projections on the expected yields over the plant's 10 to 20 year life cycle. In our final experiment Switchgrass was harvested every two weeks from September to November. A caliometer tracked how much energy was present in the dry matter throughout the growing season. Dry matter yield, chemical constituents, and carbohydrate reserves in the below ground tissues were measured as indicator variables to determine the health and quality of yield. Harvest time was the most significant variable observed.

Download or read book Harvest Dates Affecting Switchgrass Yield and Nutrient Content and Effects of Anhydrous Ammonia Treatment for Increasing Nutrient Content and Digestibility Rates written by Adelene Martell Cheatham and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Evaluating Different Switchgrass Cultivars and Compost Treatments for Biofuel Production of Switchgrass Panicum Virgatum L written by Jessica D. Baculis and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 92 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Genetic and Environmental Factors Affecting Switchgrass Performance and Quality in Qu bec written by Erik Delaquis and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L) is a native North American perennial grass specieswith promising applications as a bioenergy feedstock. Three studies were conducted to identify genetic and environmental factors affecting switchgrass performance and quality. A first study was conducted to evaluate the performance of new selections made in Southern Quebec, Canada. Eleven selections of switchgrass from 4 base populations and 3 selections of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), another promising perennial grass, were evaluated at two sites in Southern Quebec during the first 2 production years. Considerable variation among selections was found for all traits examined, however, differences varied by year and site. Biomass dry matter yield across all switchgrass selections and environments averaged 7.2 Mg ha-1 for a fall harvest. Biomass was also harvested in the spring for some selections to determine changes in yield, moisture content, fibre, ash, and energy content caused by harvest date. The spring harvest resulted in lower yield and moisture content, and higher cellulose content. A second study was conducted to evaluate various methods to renovate poorly established switchgrass fields. Reseeding with a no-till seeder initially negatively impacted yields, however, the combination of no-till reseeding with herbicide and N fertiliser applications increased yields in the post-renovation year compared to the use of only applying N and reseeding. Finally, a third study examined the relationships between soil characteristics and biomass quality in spring-harvested switchgrass fields. There was a significant relationship between soil parameters and biomass Si (R2 = 0.74) and ash (R2 = 0.45) content. Weaker relationships were seen between soil parameters and biomass Ca and Mg content, while other important elements including K showed no relationship to any of the measured soil variables." --

Download or read book Establishment and Persistence of Legumes in Switchgrass Biomass and Forage biomass Production Systems written by Kara Lee Warwick and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 143 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is being developed as an economically and ecologically sustainable biomass crop. Nitrogen is considered one of the most limiting inputs of switchgrass. Alternatives to synthetic nitrogen fertilization may be nitrogen-fixing legumes interseeded into switchgrass. The objectives of this research were: (1) develop efficient legume management strategies for switchgrass production systems, (2) evaluate and identify cool and warm-season legumes that can be grown compatibly with switchgrass, (3) determine whether switchgrass yields are increased by legume N-fixation, and (4) determine N-fixation of common (Vicia sativa) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa). This study examined the establishment and persistence of ten different legume species in 'Alamo' a lowland variety of switchgrass in two switchgrass production systems: a one-cut biomass harvest and a two-cut forage/biomass harvest. Cool-season legumes were alfalfa (Medicago sativa), arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum), common vetch, crown vetch (Securigera varia), red clover (Trifolium pretense), hairy vetch, and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum). Warm-season legumes were Illinois bundle flower (Desmanthus illinoensis), trailing wild bean (Strophostyles helvula), and partridge pea (Chamaechrista fasciculata). Red clover showed the highest plant densities with the potential to increase switchgrass yields when interseeded into existing switchgrass stands in both harvest systems. Crude protein levels were highest in the 135 kg N ha−1 treatment in the forage cut of the two-cut harvest system. Arrowleaf clover, crimson clover, and red clover had high stand densities with annual reseeding. A combination of cool-season legumes, crimson clover and common vetch, in combination with warm-season partridge pea, were established in existing switchgrass stands after one year. Common vetch was evaluated for its nitrogen fixing capacity, seed germination, establishment, and effects on yield of switchgrass. Scarification by sulfuric acid had higher seed germination than other scarification treatments, except 100 grit sandpaper treatment for one minute at 0.7 kg of pressure. Common and hairy vetch nitrogen contributions were 59.3 and 43.3 kg N ha−1 respectively at seeding rates of 6.7 kg PLS ha−1. Switchgrass yields might increase with common and hairy vetch seeding rates of 7.6 and 10.4 kg PLS ha−1 to achieve 67 kg N ha−1, the recommended rate of N-fertilization for switchgrass stands.

Download or read book Evaluation of Swicthgrass Panicum Virgatum L as a Bioenergy Feedstock for the Northeastern and Mid Atlantic USA written by Laura Mary Cortese and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a warm season, C4 perennial grass native to most of North America with numerous applications, including use as a bioenergy feedstock. Although switchgrass has emerged as a bioenergy crop throughout the midwestern and southern US, little information is available on the performance of switchgrass in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic. In the first genetic diversity study of switchgrass populations to utilize both morphological and molecular markers, it was found that the combination of morphological and molecular markers differentiated populations best, and should be useful in future applications such as genetic diversity studies, plant variety protection, and cultivar identification. In a study that evaluated several bioenergy traits of 10 switchgrass cultivars in NJ, populations with improved agronomic characteristics were identified. Cultivar Timber exhibited the best combination of characteristics and has promise for biomass production in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic US. In a third study, the effects of cultivar, location, and harvest date on biomass yield, dry matter, ash, and combustion energy content in three switchgrass cultivars were investigated. Results indicated that a January harvest allowed for optimal feedstock quality and that cultivars Alamo, Carthage, and Timber produced high yielding, high quality biomass. In an effort to improve the establishment capacity of switchgrass, a fourth study was conducted examining the effects of divergent selection for seed weight on germination and emergence in three switchgrass populations over two cycles of selection, and cold stratification on germination in the derived populations. Selection for seed weight alone was not sufficient to improve germination and germination rate in populations tested, while cold stratification improved germination. Therefore, breeding efforts should be directed towards reducing dormancy in order to improve switchgrass germination and establishment. The final two studies examined genotype x environment effects, estimated broad-sense heritability, and stability analysis on lignocellulosic and agronomic traits in switchgrass clones grown on marginal and prime soils in NJ. Results support the existence of both specifically and broadly adapted switchgrass germplasm, and demonstrate the need for evaluation of germplasm across multiple years and environments (including prime and marginal sites) in order to develop cultivars with optimal lignocellulosic and agronomic characteristics.

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 Plant Biomass Conversion written by Elizabeth E. Hood and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2011-01-20 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A whole host of motivations are driving the development of the “renewables” industry— ranging from the desire to develop sustainable energy resources to the reduction of dangerous greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. All energy utilized on the earth is ultimately derived from the sun through photosynthesis—the only truly renewable commodity. As concerns regarding increasing energy prices, global warming and renewable resources continue to grow, so has scientific discovery into agricultural biomass conversion. Plant Biomass Conversion addresses both the development of plant biomass and conversion technology, in addition to issues surrounding biomass conversion, such as the affect on water resources and soil sustainability. This book also offers a brief overview of the current status of the industry and examples of production plants being used in current biomass conversion efforts.