Accumulation of biomass and bioenergy in culms of cereals as a factor of straw cutting height

Abstract

A b s t r a c t. Cereal straw is an important biomass source inEurope. This work assessed: 1) the morphological and energetic characteristics of culms of spring and winter cereals, 2) the energy deposited in the different aboveground parts of cereals, 3) losses of energy due to different cutting heights. The straw of winter and spring cereals was collected from arable fields during the seasons 2009/10 and 2010/11 in southern Poland. Detailed biometric measurements of culms and internodes were performed. The losses of straw biomass and energy were assessed during simulation of cutting the culm at different heights, up to 50 cm. Longer and heavier culms were developed by winter wheat and triticale and oat. Cutting of straw up to 10 cm did not lead to significant losses in straw yield. The total amount of energy in the culms was as follows: triticale > winter wheat > oat > spring wheat > winter barley > spring barley. Cutting the culms above 20 cm led to significant differences in terms of biomass energy between cereal species. The smallest losses of energy were recorded for spring and winter barley. Oat and barley accumulated the highest energy in grains.

Możliwość wykorzystania rzepaku ozimego (Brassica napus L. var. Napus) do celów energetycznych

“…At the same time, the extensive use of seeds for energy purposes in accordance with the applicable regulations would contribute to a significant improvement of the CO2 emission balance for the so-called high emissions. The results of our research confirm earlier work carried out for culms of cereals, which suggested that there were no differences in energy parameters between particular species of a given plant (Zając et al, 2017). This suggests that in the case of crops for energy purposes, winter rape should be used, as they provide the highest yield for the given agricultural conditions.…”

Physical and thermal modification of selected lignocellulosic raw materials

“…The current geopolitical situation, the growing awareness of whole societies regarding environmental issues and rising electricity prices have all contributed to the dynamic development of the power industry. In particular, the use of biogas in power generation is gaining in importance (Zając et al, 2017). Many research centres in Poland and abroad are exploring the possibilities of raising the efficiency level of the methane fermentation process in agricultural biogas plants.…”