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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #228930
Title: Sustainable Corn Stover Harvest Strategies

Author
item Karlen, Douglas
item BIRRELL, STUART - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
item HESS, J - IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY
item Wilhelm, Wallace

Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/18/2008
Publication Date: 7/18/2008
Citation: Karlen, D.L., Birrell, S.J., Hess, J.R., Wilhelm, W.W. 2008. Sustainable Corn Stover Harvest Strategies. In: Proceedings of the Midwest Area Bioenergy Research Forum, July 18, 2008, Peoria IL. 2008 CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Corn stover has been identified as an important initial source of biomass for conversion to ethanol and other biofuels. This poster presentation outlines on-going cooperative research being conducted near Ames, IA. Our university partner is responsible for developing the one-pass harvester and our INL partner for determining feedstock quality for conversion to ethanol. This study has shown that harvesting the cob and stover from the upper 50% of the corn plant would provide a high-quality bio-energy feedstock and some soil residue cover at a reasonable harvest speed. Harvesting lower stalk portions increases pre-treatment cost, nutrient replacement cost, and results in very little soil cover.