Author
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Karlen, Douglas |
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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2014 Publication Date: 2/10/2014 Citation: Karlen, D.L. 2014. Crop residue considerations for sustainable biomass feedstock supplies. American Society of Agriculture and BioSystems Engineering (ASABE) Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference, February 10-14, 2014, Louisville, KY. Available at: www.asabe.org/media/159811/aetc_prelimininary_program2.pdf. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Corn (Zea mays, L.) stover was identified as an important feedstock for second generation biofuel production in the U.S. because of the extensive area upon which the crop is grown. This presentation will summarize 239 site-years of field research examining effects of zero, moderate, and high stover removal rates at 36 sites in seven different states. Grain yield ranged from 5.0 to 12.0 Mg ha-1 (80 to 192 bu ac-1). Harvesting an average of 3.9 or 7.2 Mg ha-1 (1.7 or 3.2 tons ac-1) of stover increased N, P, and K removal by 24, 2.7, and 31 kg ha-1 with moderate removal or by 47, 5.5, and 62 kg ha-1 with high removal, respectively. Overall, this multi-location research project conducted by USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and engineers associated with the Resilient Economic Agricultural Practices (REAP) project, in cooperation with several university partners, engineers from the US-DOE Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and private industry partners has provided a broad assessment of stover yield potential, feedstock characteristics, a comprehensive database for further meta-analyses, and sustainability metrics. Additional research is needed to quantify effects of cover crops, perennial segments within extended rotations, as well as proper utilization of animal manures to ensure sustainable feedstock supplies can be provided for bioenergy and other bio-products. |
