Short rotation woody crops program: 1982 program summary

Abstract

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Potential Soil Carbon Sequestration and CO2Offset by Dedicated Energy Crops in the USA

“…Beginning in the early 1980s, the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE-EIA, 2004) developed a research program to examine the potential of woody and herbaceous species to reduce dependence on foreign oil (Ranney et al, 1988;Tuskan, 1998;McLaughlin and Walsh, 1998;Keoleian and Volk, 2005;McLaughlin and Adams Kszos, 2005;Parrish and Fike, 2005). The USDOE-funded studies suggested that SRWC and HC may have advantages compared to ethanol from corn, whose production can require large inputs of energy and chemicals, increase erosion, and exacerbate emission of GHG (Abelson, 1991).…”

Changes in Organic Carbon and Physical Properties of Soil Aggregates Under Fiber Farming

“…Establishing short-rotation tree plantations for this purpose is known as Bfiber farming^(FF) because it entails cultural practices (e.g., soil preparation, fertilization, weed and pest control, irrigation) similar to those for agricultural crops (Ranney and Cushman, 1982;Yin et al, 1998). Fiber farming often involves short rotations based on the best species suitable to a particular farmland, landowner, and fiber market demands.…”

Bioenergy Feedstock Development Program Status Report

“…1 The results of the early screening studies are found in BFDP documents. 2,3,4,5 Of the 22 hardwood species identified, four "model" species and a genus were identified for detailed research: cottonwoods and poplars (genus Populus), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), silver maple (Acer saccharinum), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). 6,7,8,9,10 Other species that were identified as potentially important include willow (Salix spp), alder (Alnus spp.…”

“…and giant reed (Arundo donax) as bioenergy crops in southern Texas will be investigated by researchers at Texas A&M in the upcoming year. Several varieties of sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) have been established in Alabama, [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] and stands are currently being evaluated for yield, composition, and combustion quality (D. Bransby, AU, personal communication). The effects of cutting height and frequency are also being investigated.…”

“…44,45 An expanded breeding effort for the Southeast will be initiated in the near future. Also in the Southeast, researchers collaborating under a cooperative research and development agreement [2][3][4][5][6] have been investigating the factors that limit productivity of tree growth in the southeastern United States. Fifth-year field results from a fertilizer-by-irrigation growth study, containing cottonwood, sycamore, and sweetgum, indicated that long-term limitations on growth in the southeastern United States cannot be overcome by simple water and/or fertilizer supplements.…”