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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lincoln, Nebraska » Agroecosystem Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #427688
Research Project: Integrated Agricultural Systems for a Resilient Circular Bioeconomy in the Central Plains

Location: Agroecosystem Management Research

Title: Agricultural management determines the carbon intensity of SAF derived from corn or switchgrass managed on marginally productive cropland

Author
item Ramirez Ii, Salvador
item Schmer, Marty
item Jin, Virginia
item Mitchell, Robert
item Stewart, Catherine
item REDFEARN, DAREN - University Of Nebraska
item AFI, MAROUA - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/9/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will play a key role in lowering the carbon footprint of aviation. Agricultural management of potential SAF feedstocks can determine SAF sustainability and profitability. Life cycle assessments (LCA) are commonly used to estimate the carbon intensity (CI) of producing SAF from potential feedstocks using modeled, secondary data as opposed to primary measured data. We quantify the agricultural phase and well-to-wake (WTWa) CIs of producing SAF from no-till, continuous corn (Zea mays L.) under 120 kg N ha-1 yr-1 and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) under 60 or 120 kg N ha-1 yr-1 via LCAs based on primary data from a long-term (1998-present) field experiment on marginally productive cropland located in Eastern NE, USA. Primary data obtained from the study included crop productivity (2011-2017), long-term (1998-2014), deep (0-150 cm) changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, and induced total annual soil N2O emissions (2011-2017). Both corn and switchgrass under 120 kg N ha-1 yr-1 yielded similar amounts of SAF but exhibited different carbon intensities due to different rates of SOC accrual during crop production. WTWa CIs (55.0±1.97, –2.69±9.99, and –17.8±4.66 gCO2eq MJ-1 SAF, for 120N corn, 120N switchgrass, and 60N switchgrass, respectively). SAF derived from switchgrass, but not from corn, would qualify for 45Z credits based on their CI. Ultimately, the use of long-term, primary field data in LCAs of dedicated bioenergy feedstocks highlights the importance of agricultural management and how it can determine the sustainably and profitability of producing SAF from dedicated bioenergy crops.