Agronomic performance of the lignocellulosic feedstock crop energy cane in the Texas Rolling Plains

Abstract

Feedstock genetics and environment are important factors determining biomass yield of biofuel crops. Field studies were conducted to evaluate agronomic performance of four energy cane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) genotypes (TUS11-62, TUS11-58, TCP10-4928, and Ho 02-113) in the Texas Rolling Plains. In the first study, cane billets were planted in 2015 and data were collected from first (2016) and second (2017) ratoons. A second study was planted in 2016 and data were collected the same year from plant cane. Data collected include biomass, stalk height, stalk population, leaf area index (LAI), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Biomass yield of ratoons was not significantly different (p > .05) among genotypes. However, TUS11-58 had the highest plant cane yield. The average biomass yield of plant cane, first, and second ratoons were 20.2, 40.4, and 26.4 t ha −1 respectively. Longer growing period of ratoon (∼8 mo) compared to plant cane (∼5.5 mo) increased biomass. However, low temperatures (−14 to −16 • C) during the dormant phase resulted in lower yield of the second ratoon. Among genotypes, TUS11-62 had taller stalks, but was cold sensitive. Genotype TCP10-4928 had higher stalk population and LAI. An exponential relationship was observed between LAI and NDVI (R 2 = .67). Overall, there were differences in growth characteristics of energy cane genotypes, however biomass yield was similar in the ratoon phase. The results of this study showed that low temperature tolerance and growing season duration are key factors in determining biomass yield in higher latitude regions such as the Texas Rolling Plains.

Biomass production and stability of five energycane cultivars at two latitudes in Georgia

“…However, at Shorter, AL, a 4-d freeze event was reported by Sladden et al (1991), which may have resulted in reduced energycane (L 79-1002) yield the following season, although low rainfall during the growing season may have also been a factor. At Chillicothe, TX, in the Texas Rolling Plains, Pokhrel et al (2020) reported reduced emergence counts, reduced stalk height, and reduced biomass in the second ratoon crop of four energycane cultivars following the occurrence of severe freezing temperatures (−16˚C) in the preceding winter. Within a low-irrigation treatment, one of the four cultivars (TUS11-62) did not survive at all.…”

Evaluation of the DSSAT‐CANEGRO model for simulating the growth of energy cane (Saccharum spp.), a biofuel feedstock crop

“…All plots received irrigation similar to the high irrigation treatment in Trial 1. Details of planting, irrigation, and crop management activities of both Trial 1 and 2 can be found in Pokhrel et al., 2020. A summary is provided in Table 1.…”

“…A detailed description of other field data and related methods can be found in Pokhrel et al. (2020).…”

“…The growth and biomass yield of energy cane is highly dependent on the type of genotype, soil conditions, and nutrient supply (Leon et al., 2015; Zhao et al., 2017). The severity and duration of winter also play a crucial role in limiting feedstock yield (Na et al., 2014; Pokhrel et al., 2020). Current studies on energy cane are limited to subtropical and humid tropical regions.…”

Sugarcane Breeding for Enhanced Fiber and Its Impacts on Industrial Processes

“…Figure 1 summarizes the differences between energy cane and sugarcane on the stalk morphology and population. Energy cane stalk height is from 4 to 6 m, whereas sugarcane stalk is smaller, from 2 to 2.5 m [33,34]. However, the sugarcane stalk is thicker than the energy cane.…”