Dedicated Energy Crops and Crop Residues for Bioenergy Feedstocks in the Central and Eastern USA

Abstract

Dedicated energy crops and crop residues will meet herbaceous feedstock demands for the new bioeconomy in the Central and Eastern USA. Perennial warm-season grasses and corn stover are well-suited to the eastern half of the USA and provide opportunities for expanding agricultural operations in the region. A suite of warm-season grasses and associated management practices have been developed by researchers from the Agricultural Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and collaborators associated with USDA Regional Biomass Research Centers. Second generation biofuel feedstocks provide an opportunity to increase the production of transportation fuels from recently fixed plant carbon rather than from fossil fuels. Although there is no "one-size-fitsall" bioenergy feedstock, crop residues like corn (Zea mays L.) stover are the most readily available bioenergy feedstocks. However, on marginally productive cropland, perennial grasses provide a feedstock supply while enhancing ecosystem services. Twenty-five years of research has demonstrated that perennial grasses like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) are profitable and environmentally sustainable on marginally productive cropland in the western Corn Belt and Southeastern USA.

Corn Residue Use by Livestock in the United States

“…The USDA Economic Research Service survey results suggest that producer willingness to utilize corn residues is currently below these estimates. Considerable research has been conducted on corn residue harvest effects related to soil quality, soil fertility, grain yield, and greenhouse gas emissions over the past decade (Karlen and Johnson, 2014;Mitchell et al, 2016). Research on corn residue grazing, however, is limited even though significantly more corn residue acres are grazed by livestock than harvested and baled.…”

“…is widespread in the US Corn Belt, particularly in central Nebraska, northern Iowa, and northern Illinois (Sindelar et al, 2015). In addition to its use for the livestock industry, corn residue is the primary feedstock for the fledgling cellulosic bioenergy industry (Mitchell et al, 2016 …”

Blended Feedstocks for Thermochemical Conversion: Biomass Characterization and Bio-Oil Production From Switchgrass-Pine Residues Blends

“…Switchgrass is recognized as a good bioenergy crop due to its high biomass output and ability to be grown on marginal soils (Mitchell et al, 2016). Pine residues are defined as small diameter (2 or 6 inches) tree tops, limbs, and needles that are generally considered as waste during harvesting FIGURE 1 | Lab-scale fluidized-bed fast pyrolysis reactor (Meng et al, 2012).…”

All Washed Out? Foliar Nutrient Resorption and Leaching in Senescing Switchgrass

“…This approach takes advantage of endseason nutrient resorption (often broadly referred to as translocation) to belowground tissues, as well as the somewhat unexplained, but empirically demonstrated, nutrient loss that occurs when biomass is left standing in temperate areas with a cold winter [6,8,16]. While delayed harvest can lead to yield losses from leaf drop and lodging, it typically provides cleaner feedstock, reduces nutrient removal from the field, and provides ecosystem services associated with winter cover [1,6,8].…”

“…Perennial grasses bring both production and conservation benefits to diversified farming systems [1,2]. When grown for bioenergy, these grasses can provide a high-yielding feedstock for solid and liquid fuel applications [3,4].…”