Production of Napiergrass as a Bioenergy Feedstock Under Organic Versus Inorganic Fertilization in the Southeast USA

Knoll, J.; Anderson, William F.; Malik, Ravindra; Hubbard, R. K.; Strickland, Timothy C.

doi:10.1007/s12155-013-9328-1

Cited by 17 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…However, in Georgia, switchgrass, napier grass, and energy cane yield declined rapidly after the third year with no fertilizer applications [31]. Fertilizer rates of 100 kg N ha −1 and 90 kg ha −1 potassium (K) were insufficient to replace nutrients removed in harvested napier grass, but fertilized yields were significantly higher than non-fertilized treatments [53]. Using regionally available, alternative sources of nutrients like broiler litter can reduce feedstock production costs.…”

Section: Agronomics Of Perennial Grass Feedstocksmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Mitchell¹,

Schmer

Anderson

et al. 2016

Bioenerg. Res.

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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.

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Section: Agronomics Of Perennial Grass Feedstocksmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Mitchell¹,

Schmer

Anderson

et al. 2016

Bioenerg. Res.

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“…When viewed within irrigation levels, the partial net returns to N did not vary within any of the irrigation rates, but the returns were numerically higher at the 168 and 336 kg ha −1 than the lower rate suggesting the higher rates will provide yield stability and provide marginally higher returns to N application at these rates. Knoll et al (2013) made a similar observation and suggested that soil N availability in a Tifton loamy sand must remain above 100 kg ha −1 year −1 in order to maintain yield stability [2].…”

Section: Partial Net Returns For Irrigation and N Ratementioning

confidence: 90%

“…To achieve this goal, increased emphasis was placed on the development of cellulosic biofuels. Numerous annual and perennial warmseason grasses have been introduced and their management practices have been evaluated to determine their suitability as biofuel feedstocks [1,2]. Energy cane, high-fiber sugarcane, has been identified as a potential warm-season alternative for bioenergy production in the Southeast because of higher yield potential and similar production practices and equipment requirements for production, harvesting, and transportation used in sugarcane production [3,4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic Competitiveness of Napier Grass in Irrigated and Non-irrigated Georgia Coastal Plain Cropping Systems

Lamb¹,

Anderson²,

Strickland³

et al. 2018

Bioenerg. Res.

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Interest and focus on development of renewable biofuels has been increasing over the past decade leading to the introduction of a wide cadre of renewable feedstocks. As a result, numerous perennial warm-season grasses have been introduced and management practices evaluated to determine their suitability as biofuel feedstocks. BMerkeron^napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) plots were established in 2010 and harvested during crop years 2011 through 2015 adjacent to an ongoing peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cropping systems study conducted at the USDA/ARS Multi-crop Irrigation Research Farm in Shellman, GA (84 36 W, 30 44 N) on a Greenville fine sandy loam (fine, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Kandiudults). Napier grass was produced in both non-irrigated and two irrigated levels with different levels of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers. Peanut, corn, and cotton were produced in non-irrigated and full irrigation regimes. Breakeven prices for napier grass ranged from $65 to $84 Mg −1 at variable and total costs. The breakeven napier grass price was estimated such that the net returns were equal between napier grass and peanut, cotton, corn cropping systems. At variable production cost, comparative breakeven napier grass prices for non-irrigated, 50% irrigated, and full irrigated regimes were $77, $117, and $112 Mg −1 , respectively. Napier grass did not compete economically against traditional irrigated cropping systems. Depending on traditional crop prices and bioenergy feed stock prices, napier grass could offer economic opportunities in non-irrigated production environments, riparian buffer zone edges, or non-cropped marginal production areas.

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“…The absence of soil physical disturbance and the considerable C inputs into the soil associated with perennial crops can promote soil C sequestration with subsequent positive impacts on overall soil health (Anderson-Teixeira, Davis, Masters, & DeLucia, 2009, 2013. For instance, Knoll, Anderson, Malik, Hubbard, and Strickland (2013) suggested that after 4 yr of elephantgrass production, soil C stocks (0-to 75-cm depth) increased by an average of 3,180 kg ha −1 .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many studies have investigated the impacts of converting previously cropped land into bioenergy production (Anderson-Teixeira et al, 2013;Fedenko et al, 2013;Knoll et al, 2013;Na et al, 2015;Reyes-Cabrera et al, 2017a). However, less attention has been given to the potential effects of perennial grass-based feedstock production systems on soil C responses, particularly in Coastal Plain soils of the southeastern United States.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Short‐term effects of bioenergy cropping on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a Florida Ultisol

Silveira

Brandani

Kohmann

et al. 2020

Soil Science Soc of Amer J

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Although perennial bioenergy crops provide a potential for soil C sequestration, high fertilizer inputs are required to sustain yields. Land application of bioenergy byproducts can be an effective strategy to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizer. This study examined the impacts of elephantgrass [Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schum.] bioenergy cropping and conventional pasture on soil C and N responses. Treatments included (a) bahiagrass + 50 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (BHG), (b) elephantgrass + 50 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (E50), (c) elephantgrass + 50 kg N ha−1 yr−1 + fermentation residual (E50FR), (d) elephantgrass + 50 kg N ha−1 yr−1 + biochar (E50BC), and (e) elephantgrass + 250 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (E250). Soil C and N responses occurred mainly at the 0‐ to 10‐cm depth. Biochar resulted in the largest increase in soil C stocks at the 0‐ to 10‐cm depth (5.8 Mg C ha−1 in 2012 vs. 40 Mg C ha−1 in 2016), but no differences were observed among the other treatments. Conversely, greater soil N stocks at the 0‐ to 10‐cm depth were associated with the BHG (0.8 and 0.34 Mg N ha−1 for other treatments). Biochar favored N and C accumulation in the mineral‐associated (<53 μm) fraction, possibly from the accumulation of fine biochar fragments. In contrast, fermentation residual promoted C accumulation in unprotected light fraction. These results are supported by the δ13C signature and C/N ratios of the fractions. Results underscore the value of recycling biochar in bioenergy cropping systems as a means of improving C in coarse‐textured soils.

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Production of Napiergrass as a Bioenergy Feedstock Under Organic Versus Inorganic Fertilization in the Southeast USA

Cited by 17 publications

References 14 publications

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

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

Economic Competitiveness of Napier Grass in Irrigated and Non-irrigated Georgia Coastal Plain Cropping Systems

Short‐term effects of bioenergy cropping on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a Florida Ultisol

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