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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Genetics and Breeding Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #293920
Title: Nutrient and water requirements for elephantgrass production as a bio-fuel feedstock

Author
item Anderson, William - Bill
item Knoll, Joseph - Joe
item Lowrance, Robert
item Strickland, Timothy - Tim

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2013
Publication Date: 11/2/2013
Citation: Anderson, W.F., Knoll, J.E., Lowrance, R.R., Strickland, T.C. 2013. Nutrient and water requirements for elephantgrass production as a bio-fuel feedstock. Proceedings of the ASA-CSSA-SSSA annual meeting, Nov. 3-6, 2013, Tampa, FL.. https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/meetings/2013am/11335/78491.

Interpretive Summary: not required

Technical Abstract: Elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumacher) is a tall tropical bunch grass that produces high enough yields to being considered an excellent bio-energy feedstock for the lower South. However, previous studies have shown that production is not sustainable without fertilizer application and adequate soil moisture. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of N (three levels) and K (two levels) fertilizer and irrigation on ‘Merkeron’ elephantgrass at Shellman, GA. The yield one year after establishment did not vary among fertilizer treatments but was significantly greater for plots receiving 1.1 cm irrigation wk-1 (29 kg ha-1) versus rainfed (21.7 kg ha-1). Second year yields did not vary among fertilizer applications but was higher for 2.2 cm (35.4 kg ha-1) and 1.1 cm (33.4 kg ha-1) irrigation wk-1 versus rainfed (26.4 kg ha-1).