The perennial C4 grass Miscanthus has been proposed as a biomass energy crop in Europe. Effects of crop age, irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on biomass and energy yields and N content of Miscanthus were investigated and the energy costs of production determined. After an establishment period of 1 year, cultivation of Miscanthus resulted in a dry matter production of over 37 t ha-1 year-1 over a period of 4 years. Irrigation and nitrogen level greatly affected Miscanthus biomass yield. In absence of N fertilization, irrigation did not modify biomass yield and the effect of irrigation increased with the increase in N level. The average N response ranged from 37 to 50 kg biomass kg-1 N applied. Because the calorific value of Miscanthus biomass (16.5 MJ kg-1) was not affected by irrigation and N fertilization, energy production depended exclusively on biomass yield. Maximum energy yield was 564 GJ ha-1 year-1. Without N supply and irrigation, energy yield was 291 GJ ha-1. Net energy yield, calculated as the difference between energy output and input, but without inclusion of drying costs, was 543 GJ ha-1 with N fertilization and irrigation and 284 GJ ha-1 without; the ratios of energy output to input in crop production were 22 and 47, respectively.

Effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on biomass yield and efficiency of energy use of Miscanthus

ERCOLI, Laura
;
BONARI, Enrico
1999-01-01

Abstract

The perennial C4 grass Miscanthus has been proposed as a biomass energy crop in Europe. Effects of crop age, irrigation and nitrogen fertilization on biomass and energy yields and N content of Miscanthus were investigated and the energy costs of production determined. After an establishment period of 1 year, cultivation of Miscanthus resulted in a dry matter production of over 37 t ha-1 year-1 over a period of 4 years. Irrigation and nitrogen level greatly affected Miscanthus biomass yield. In absence of N fertilization, irrigation did not modify biomass yield and the effect of irrigation increased with the increase in N level. The average N response ranged from 37 to 50 kg biomass kg-1 N applied. Because the calorific value of Miscanthus biomass (16.5 MJ kg-1) was not affected by irrigation and N fertilization, energy production depended exclusively on biomass yield. Maximum energy yield was 564 GJ ha-1 year-1. Without N supply and irrigation, energy yield was 291 GJ ha-1. Net energy yield, calculated as the difference between energy output and input, but without inclusion of drying costs, was 543 GJ ha-1 with N fertilization and irrigation and 284 GJ ha-1 without; the ratios of energy output to input in crop production were 22 and 47, respectively.
1999
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11382/102085
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