Winter oilseed production for biofuel in the US Corn Belt: opportunities and limitations

Abstract

Interest from the US commercial aviation industry and commitments established by the US Navy and Air Force to use renewable fuels has spurred interest in identifying and developing crops for renewable aviation fuel. Concern regarding greenhouse gas emissions associated with land-use change and shifting land grown for food to feedstock production for fuel has encouraged the concept of intensifying current prominent cropping systems through various double cropping strategies. Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) and field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) are two winter oilseed crops that could potentially be integrated into the corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [(Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cropping system, which is the prominent cropping system in the US Corn Belt. In addition to providing a feedstock for renewable aviation fuel production, integrating these crops into corn-soybean cropping systems could also potentially provide a range of ecosystem services. Some of these include soil protection from wind and water erosion, soil organic C (SOC) sequestration, water quality improvement through nitrate reduction, and a food source for pollinators. However, integration of these crops into corn-soybean cropping systems also carries possible limitations, such as potential yield reductions of the subsequent soybean crop. This review identifies and discusses some of the key benefits and constraints of integrating camelina or field pennycress into corn-soybean cropping systems and identifies generalized areas for potential adoption in the US Corn Belt.

Winter Camelina: Crop Growth, Seed Yield, and Quality Response to Cultivar and Seeding Rate

“…Moreover, winter annual types autumn-seeded have proven to be freeze-hardy in the northern United States (Gesch and Cermak, 2011;Johnson et al, 2017) and have been demonstrated to be successfully double and relay cropped with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Integrating winter camelina as a cover crop into corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean systems has the potential to sustainably intensify crop production on millions of hectares across the US Corn Belt (Sindelar et al, 2017). Integrating winter camelina as a cover crop into corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean systems has the potential to sustainably intensify crop production on millions of hectares across the US Corn Belt (Sindelar et al, 2017).…”

“…and other shortseason summer crops because of their early maturity Berti et al, 2015;Johnson et al, 2017). Integrating winter camelina as a cover crop into corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean systems has the potential to sustainably intensify crop production on millions of hectares across the US Corn Belt (Sindelar et al, 2017). As a cover crop, winter camelina provides several ecosystem services including soil protection, improved water quality, and forage for pollinators (Eberle et al, 2015;Berti et al, 2017;Johnson et al, 2017), with the added benefit of harvesting its seed for economic return.…”

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

“…Regression modeling estimated 112 to 151 Tg year −1 of rye biomass could be harvested for bioenergy purposes in continuous corn and corn-soybean rotations in the US Corn Belt [126]. Further, incorporation of winter oilseeds into corn-soybean cropping systems may provide additional farm revenue while providing numerous ecosystem services (e.g., increased biodiversity, soil protection, food source for pollinators) [127].…”

Corn Residue Use by Livestock in the United States

“…A 3-yr rotation of corn-corn-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] 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 …”