Influence of Species Composition and Management on Biomass Production in Missouri

Ranjith P. Udawatta, Clark J. Gantzer, Timothy M. Reinbott, Ray L. Wright, Pierce A. Robert and Walter Wehtje
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Ranjith P. Udawatta: School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
Clark J. Gantzer: School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
Timothy M. Reinbott: University of Missouri Bradford Research Center, 4968 Rangeline Road, Columbia, MO 65201-8973, USA
Ray L. Wright: University of Missouri Bradford Research Center, 4968 Rangeline Road, Columbia, MO 65201-8973, USA
Pierce A. Robert: School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
Walter Wehtje: School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA

Agriculture, 2020, vol. 10, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Perennial biofuel crops help to reduce both dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions while utilizing nutrients more efficiently compared to annual crops. In addition, perennial crops grown for biofuels have the potential to produce high biomass yields, are capable of increased carbon sequestration, and are beneficial for reducing soil erosion. Various monocultures and mixtures of perennial grasses and forbs can be established to achieve these benefits. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of feedstock mixture and cutting height on yields. The base feedstock treatments included a monoculture of switchgrass (SG) and a switchgrass:big bluestem 1:1 mixture (SGBBS). Other treatments included mixtures of the base feedstock with ratios of base to native forbs plus legumes of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, and 20:80. The study was established in 2008. Biomass crops typically require 2 to 3 years to produce a uniform stand. Therefore, harvest data were collected from July 2010 to July 2013. Three harvest times were selected to represent (1) biomass for biofuel (March), (2) forage (July), and (3) forage and biomass (October). Annual mean yields varied between 4.97 Mg ha −1 in 2010 to 5.56 Mg ha −1 in 2011. However, the lowest yield of 2.82 Mg ha −1 in March and the highest yield of 7.18 Mg ha −1 in July were harvested in 2013. The mean yield was 5.21 Mg ha −1 during the 4 year study. The effect of species mixture was not significant on yield. The cutting height was significant ( p < 0.001), with greater yield for the 15 cm compared to the 30 cm cutting height. Yield differences were larger between harvest times during the early phase of the study. Yield difference within a harvest time was not significant for 3 of the 10 harvests. Future studies should examine changes in biomass production for mixture composition with time for selection of optimal regional specific species mixtures.

Keywords: big blue stem; Cave in rock; claypan; forbs; legumes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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