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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Morris, Minnesota » Soil Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #293922
Title: Big bluestem and switchgrass feedstock harvest timing: Nitrous oxide response to feedstock harvest timing

Author
item Johnson, Jane
item Barbour, Nancy

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/6/2013
Publication Date: 11/6/2013
Citation: Johnson, J.M., Barbour, N.W. 2013. Big bluestem and switchgrass feedstock harvest timing: Nitrous oxide response to feedstock harvest timing [abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting. Nov. 3-6, 2013, Tampa, FL. Available: https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2013am/webprogram/Paper78862.html.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerdardii Vitman) are potential bioenergy feedstocks. Feedstock storage limitations, labor constraints for harvest, and environmental benefits provided by perennials are rationales for developing localized perennial feedstock as an alternative or in conjunction with annual feedstocks (i.e., crop residues). The objectives of this study are to compare the feedstock quantity and quality of switchgrass and big bluestem harvested in the fall or delayed until the following spring. Furthermore to assess the impact of harvest on nitrous oxide emission. It was hypothesized that biomass yield may decline, but the feedstock quality would increase due to leaching of minerals. Yields differed among years, but not by harvest timing; both grasses averaged 5.7 Mg ha-1 yr-1. Cumulative nitrous oxide emission was 14 to 40% greater when feedstock was harvested in the spring compared to fall harvest for big bluestem and switchgrass, respectively. The majority of emission was associated with ephemeral hot moments. The potentially harvestable material did not decline between the two sample times; potassium and chloride content in the feedstock declined over the winter.