Biomass Supply from Alternative Cellulosic Crops and Crop Residues: A Preliminary Spatial Bioeconomic Modeling Approach

This paper introduces a spatial bioeconomic model for study of potential cellulosic biomass supply at regional scale. By modeling the profitability of alternative crop production practices, it captures the opportunity cost of replacing current crops by cellulosic biomass crops. The model draws upon biophysical crop input-output coefficients, price and cost data, and spatial transportation costs in the context of profit maximization theory. Yields are simulated using temperature, precipitation and soil quality data with various commercial crops and potential new cellulosic biomass crops. Three types of alternative crop management scenarios are simulated by varying crop rotation, fertilization and tillage. The cost of transporting biomass to a specific demand location is obtained using road distances and bulk shipping costs from geographic information systems. The spatial mathematical programming model predicts the supply of biomass and implied environmental consequences for a landscape managed by representative, profit maximizing farmers. The model was applied and validated for simulation of cellulosic biomass supply in a 9-county region of southern Michigan. Results for 74 cropping systems simulated across 39 sub-watersheds show that crop residues are the first types of biomass to be supplied. Corn stover and wheat straw supply start at $21/Mg and$27/Mg delivered prices. Perennial bioenergy crops become profitable to produce when the delivered biomass price reaches $46/Mg for switchgrass,$118/Mg for grass mixes and $154/Mg for Miscanthus giganteus. The predicted effect of the USDA Biomass Conversion Assistance Program is to sharply reduce the minimum biomass price at which miscanthus would become profitable to supply. Compared to conventional crop production practices in the area, the EPIC-simulated environmental outcomes with crop residue removal include increased greenhouse gas emissions and reduced water quality through increased nutrient loss. By contrast, perennial cellulosic biomass crops reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved water quality compared to current commercial cropping systems.biomass production, bioenergy supply, biofuel policy, bioenergy, cellulosic ethanol, agro-ecosystem economics, ecosystem services economics, agro-environmental trade-off analysis, mathematical programming, EPIC, Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Land Economics/Use, Production Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q16, Q15, Q57, Q18,

A critical review on sustainable biochar system through gasification: energy and environmental applications

This review lays great emphasis on production and characteristics of biochar through gasification. Specifically, the physicochemical properties and yield of biochar through the diverse gasification conditions associated with various types of biomass were extensively evaluated. In addition, potential application scenarios of biochar through gasification were explored and their environmental implications were discussed. To qualitatively evaluate biochar sustainability through the gasification process, all gasification products (i.e., syngas and biochar) were evaluated via life cycle assessment (LCA). A concept of balancing syngas and biochar production for an economically and environmentally feasible gasification system was proposed and relevant challenges and solutions were suggested in this review

Soil-Vegetation Relationships of A Blue Shale-Limy Upland Range Site in Ellis County, Kansas

The objective of this study was to determine the soil-vegetation relationships of a blue shale-limy upland range site. Vegetative composition and production were determined for each soil within the range site. Some of the more important physical and chemical properties, such as texture, depth of development, and general fertility, were determined for each soil.https://scholars.fhsu.edu/fort_hays_studies_series/1060/thumbnail.jp

Pastures for Maximum Production

Guide to pastures for maximum production addresses growth characteristics, management practices. And suggested rotation systems

Η επίδραση της εδαφοβελτίωσης στην παραγωγή των ενεργειακών φυτών κεχριού και ηλίανθου

Παρατηρήσεις έκδοσης: κακέκτυπες σελίδες.Η ενεργειακή γεωργία είναι ένας τομέας που τα τελευταία χρόνια εξελίσσεται ταχύτατα, λόγω της ρυπογόνου επίδρασης των ορυκτών καυσίμων στο περιβάλλον, της εξάντλησης των αποθεμάτων τους και του εξελισσόμενου αδιεξόδου της γεωργικής υπερπαραγωγής στις ανεπτυγμένες χώρες. Η υποχρέωση της χώρας μας για την χρήση υγρών βιοκαυσίμων στον τομέα των μεταφορών καθώς και η ανάγκη προσαρμογής του γεωργικού χώρου στα πλαίσια της νέας Κοινής Αγροτικής Πολιτικής, έχουν προκαλέσει την ανάπτυξη ενδιαφέροντος για τις καλλιέργειες των ενεργειακών φυτών. Η παραγωγή των ενεργειακών φυτών Κεχριού και Ηλίανθου θεωρούνται νέες καλλιέργειες, καθώς τελευταία αποκτά ενδιαφέρον στην παραγωγή βιοενέργειας. Στην παρούσα πτυχιακή εργασία, μέσω της βιβλιογραφικής ανασκόπησης, μελετάται η επίδραση της εδαφοβελτίωσης στην παραγωγή των ενεργειακών φυτών Κεχριού και Ηλίανθου. Στα κεφάλαια της εισαγωγής αναφέρονται τα θέματα της νιτρορύπανσης και τι έχει γίνει μέχρι τώρα σε αυτόν τον τομέα, τα ενεργειακά φυτά και τι πολιτική υπάρχει γι αυτά και η εδαφοβελτίωση. Στη συνέχεια μελετούνται τα ενεργειακά φυτά Switchgrass και Ηλίανθος, ο βιολογικός τους κύκλος και οι πιθανές τους χρήσεις. Στο τελευταίο κομμάτι της εργασίας παρουσιάζεται και περιγράφεται το πείραμα που πραγματοποιήθηκε στο εργαστήριο της Γεωπονικής σχολής του Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλίας, στο Βόλο, ο σκοπός του, οι μέθοδοι που χρησιμοποιηθήκαν και τα συμπεράσματα που προέκυψαν

South Dakota Grasslands, Their Condition and Management

Statewide surveys of South Dakota grasslands have been made in 1940, 1942, and 1946. The stocking rates presented on the map (center pages) were determined from the 1946 survey, based upon the past ten years\u27 actual use-grazing records from representative farms and ranches. The range and pasture condition method of study was introduced into the 1946 resurvey of South Dakota grassland. The condition approach is much more usable by stockmen and agricultural workers alike than former methods of making grassland inventories. The 1946 inventory of range and pasture condition shows South Dakota grasslands are near the peak of productivity. Above-average rainfall is largely responsible for this condition. When the precipitation cycle becomes less favorable and dry years come and they surely will-then only good management of our grasslands can maintain their productivity and prevent the unfavorable conditions of the mid-thirties. Further studies and follow-up surveys will be made periodically to keep abreast of changes in condition and stocking rates for South Dakota grassland

Effects of Seed Weight on Seedling Establishment, Forage Yield, and Seed Production Characteristics of Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a warm-season grass native to North America, is distributed from Canada to Central America anu from the Atlantic Coast to Nevada over a wide range of habitats. It exhibits tremendous promise for forage and soil conservation utilization in the Great Plains and True Prairie regions. The economic value of switchgrass as summer forage has long been recognized and its potential for improved variety production is great due to extensive ecotypic genetic variability and relatively good seed quality and production. A full season pasture system comprised of separate pastures of cool and warm-season species offers maximum beef production efficiency, and switchgrass was found to yield the most beef gain per hectare of the major tall, warm-season grasses native to South Dakota. Poor seedling vigor and inconsistent seed production have severely limited the widespread use of switchgrass. Kneebone and Cremer determined that selecting for seed size in switchgrass was an effective method for improving seedling vigor. Improved vigor results in quick germination and rapid seedling development, consequently increasing the chance of stand survival if a stress period is encountered during establishment. Cornelius concluded native warm-season grasses were especially poor seed producers. Seed yield components need to be examined to identify those which have the greatest influence on seed yield. Identification of the important seed yield components wou1d faci1itate selection for specific characteristics resulting in improved seed yield. With improvements in seedling vigor and seed yield, switchgrass could make a substantial contribution to the total carrying capacity of full season pasture systems. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine variation for seed size within and among three switchgrass varieties grown in the same environment, (2) to identify an easy and accurate method for separating different seed weight fractions from bulk seedlots, (3) to determine the effect of weight of parent seed on seedling vigor and mature plant forage and seed characters, and (4) to evaluate, by employing multiple regression and path coefficient analysis, the relative contributions of four seed yield components to total seed yield of individual plants

Herbicide Residue and Weed Control in Switchgrass

Purposes of this study were to find an effective herbicide for control of grassy weeds in a pasture, to adapt known laboratory procedures for analyzing residues and to determine amounts of residues during the growing season in treated plots. Nine herbicides were screened for controlling grassy weeds, primarily downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) in a native pasture. Data indicated 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine (atrazine) applied postemergence at 1 lb/A was the most effective at 85% control. The following year, atrazine, 2-chloro-4, 6-bis­ (ethylamino)-s-triazine (simazine) and 2, 2-dichloropropionic acid (dalapon) each at 1, 2 and 3 lb/A were applied preemergence to switchgrass pasture. Of primary concern was control of grassy weeds; downy brome, green foxtail (Setaria virdis (L.) Beauv.) and yellow foxtail (Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv.). Atrazine effectiveness remained nearly constant through the summer with 50% grassy weed control. Simazine control was not significantly (P \u3c .05) different from that of atrazine. Dalapon effectiveness decreased from 90% to 61 % and gave significantly (P \u3c .05) higher percent control than either triazine. Atrazine and simazine were significantly (P \u3c .05) higher in broadleaf weed control than dalapon. Atrazine and simazine caused no injury to the switchgrass. Dalapon, however, resulted in severe injury or death to the desirable grass. All herbicides increased in effectiveness as the rate of application increased. Herbicidal carry over as recorded in July 1970 was evident. Laboratory procedures for atrazine and simazine residue analysis included column, thin-layer and hydrogen-flame gas chromatography. Dalapon was analyzed using electron capture gas chromatography. No recordable atrazine and simazine residues (less than 5 ppm) were found in vegetative samples beginning with the June harvest. Dalapon applied in May at 1, 2 and 3 lb/A decreased to less than 3 ppm in late summer harvest

Iowa Conservationist, March 1983, Vol. 42, no.3

This newsletter is produced by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, formally Iowa State Conservation Commission. This newsletter contains news and stories relating to all aspects of hunting, fishing, trapping, conservation and utilizing the outdoor resources of Iowa