Trade-off between harvest date and lignocellulosic crop choice for advanced biofuel production in the Mediterranean area

Zanetti, Federica; Scordia, Danilo; Calcagno, Silvio; Acciai, Marco; Grasso, Antonio; Cosentino, Salvatore Luciano; Monti, Andrea

doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2019.06.002

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Moisture content of switchgrass was reduced by a winter as compared with an autumn harvest in North Italy (35 and 56%, respectively), while giant reed kept quite stable values in the South (52% and 49% in autumn and winter harvest, respectively). Miscanthus harvested in winter, was much drier in the South than in the North Italy (16 and 47%, respectively) [46].…”

Section: Qualitymentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Extremely high NEG was shown for giant reed and miscanthus (611.5 and 447.2 GJ ha −1 , respectively) at their peak yield in south of Italy [45]. The EROI at the biorefinery gate for advanced bioethanol production of mature switchgrass, miscanthus and giant reed grown under North and South Italy showed values of 4.16-4.37 [46], well higher than the EROI for corn-based ethanol of 0.8-1.6 [47].…”

Section: Environmental Benefitsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Determination of energy inputs versus energy outputs is essential for the maximization of sustainable yields. Zanetti et al [46] showed that cultivation under low-or-no-input regimes (unfertilized, rainfed, no-weed and pest management) of long-term plantations (>10 years) of switchgrass, miscanthus and giant reed applied only harvesting practice at an energy cost of 3.40 GJ ha −1 . The resulting net energy gain (output-input) was between 107 and 298 GJ ha −1 , depending on the biomass yield and the biomass lower heating value.…”

Section: Agronomymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A stable biomass composition delivered at the bioconversion site avoids continual process modifications, allowing optimization of post-harvest logistics, process reactions, energy flows, time and costs [46]. Many factors influence biomass compositions of perennial grasses, such as genotype, environmental conditions, plant phenological phase, stand maturity, field practices and storage.…”

Section: Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Harvest time and location significantly affect cell wall composition, ash and moisture content. Generally, delayed harvest improves cell-wall content and reduces the ash [46]. Thus, a higher biomass quality is expected with winter harvests, as the lower heating value (LHV) is negatively correlated with the ash and positively with structural polysaccharides and lignin content [71,117].…”

Section: Qualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Perennial Energy Grasses: Resilient Crops in a Changing European Agriculture

Scordia

Cosentino

2019

Agriculture

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This review describes the multiple utilization of perennial grasses as resilient crops for a multifunctional agriculture. Beyond its role of producing food, feed and fiber, the concept of multifunctional agriculture includes many other functions, such as ecosystem services, renewable energy production and a contribution to the socio-economic viability of rural areas. Traditionally used for feed, some perennial grasses—known as perennial energy grasses (e.g., miscanthus—Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deuter, giant reed—Arundo donax L., switchgrass—Panicun virgatum L., reed canary grass—Phalaris arundinacea L.)—have been recommended as a biomass source for both energy and non-energy applications, and ecosystem services. Perennial grasses are lignocellulosic, low-cost feedstock, able to grow in variable environments including marginal lands. Due to their high yield, resilient traits, biomass composition, energy and environmental sustainability, perennial grasses are a candidate feedstock to foster the bio-based economy and adapt to a changing agriculture. However, perennial grasses for biomass production are largely undomesticated crops, or are at early stages of development. Hence, a great potential for improvements is expected, provided that research on breeding, agronomy, post-harvest logistic and bioconversion is undertaken in order to deliver resilient genotypes growing and performing well across a broad range of environmental conditions, climatic uncertainty, marginal land type and end-use destinations.

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Section: Qualitymentioning

confidence: 97%