Yield and quality development comparison between miscanthus and switchgrass over a period of 10 years

Y. Iqbal, M. Gauder, W. Claupein, S. Graeff-Hönninger and I. Lewandowski

Energy, 2015, vol. 89, issue C, 268-276

Abstract: The establishment of perennial crops has emerged as a very viable option for biomass-based energy production mainly due to their comparative ecological advantages over annual energy crops. This study is based on data collected from a field trial between 2002 and 2012 and was carried out with the main objective of evaluating the yield and quality performance of miscanthus and switchgrass using different harvest dates and N fertilization regimes (0 kg, 40 kg, 80 kg). Over the whole plantation period (including three years of establishment period), the mean yield of miscanthus was 16.2 t DM ha−1 a−1, while switchgrass yielded 10.2 t DM ha−1 a−1. In miscanthus, each increase in fertilizer level increased the N content in the harvested biomass, whereas in switchgrass, no significant difference was recorded for 0 kg and 40 kg N levels. The effect of N fertilization on ash was significant but independent of the crop. Both miscanthus and switchgrass biomass samples from the late harvests had a significantly lower N content than those from the early harvests. A Life Cycle Assessment covering the conducted field work and inputs of this trial showed relatively low energy input and emissions connected to the cropping of miscanthus.

Keywords: Miscanthus; Switchgrass; Harvest date; N fertilization; LCA (life cycle assessment); Combustion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (20)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:89:y:2015:i:c:p:268-276

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.05.134

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