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Mineral Composition and Removal of Six Perennial Grasses Grown for Bioenergy
Author(s) -
Singh Maninder P.,
Erickson John E.,
Sollenberger Lynn E.,
Woodard Kenneth R.,
Vendramini Joao M.B.,
Gilbert Rob A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj14.0339
Subject(s) - arundo donax , pennisetum purpureum , miscanthus , agronomy , perennial plant , bioenergy , dry matter , biomass (ecology) , biology , saccharum , panicum virgatum , biofuel , ecology
Feedstock mineral composition influences suitability for conversion to energy and soil nutrient removal impacts fertilization and economics of production. However, few data are available on mineral composition and removal for perennial bioenergy grass crops, especially in the southeastern United States. This study was conducted at three locations in Florida comparing biomass yield, mineral composition, and mineral removal of sugarcane ( Saccharum spp. hybrid), energycane ( Saccharum spp. hybrid), sweetcane [ S. arundinaceum (Retz.) Jesw.], elephantgrass [ Pennisetum purpureum (Schum.)], giant reed ( Arundo donax L.), and giant miscanthus [ Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef and Deuter ex Hodkinson and Renvoize)]. Tissue ash concentrations were very similar among species at each site. However, mineral concentrations varied by site and species. Giant miscanthus had the least dry biomass yield (13.5 Mg ha −1 ), followed by giant reed (23.8 Mg ha −1 ), which had lower dry matter yield than the remaining species (35.3 Mg ha −1 ). Giant miscanthus contained less moisture than all other species at each site. Leaves accounted for only 23% of total biomass. Nitrogen, P, and K removals were highest for sugarcane, sweetcane, energycane, and elephantgrass and averaged 179, 41, and 279 kg ha −1 yr −1 , respectively and lowest for giant reed (147, 20, and 157 kg ha −1 yr −1 ) and giant miscanthus (56, 12, and 46 kg ha −1 yr −1 ). Relatively high dry matter yields desirable for bioenergy production can be achieved using perennial grasses in the region, but moderate to high fertility inputs will likely be needed to sustain high production levels.