Evaluating biodiesel potential of Australian native and naturalised plant species

This RIRDC report evaluates the potential of using Australian native and naturalised plant species in biodiesel production. Particular emphasis is placed on species that occur in Central Queensland (CQ) region, as significant quantities of diesel are being imported to this region, and some proportion of this could be produced locally by establishing native species on cleared land that is readily available in CQ.More than 200 species/provenances have been evaluated for oil content, of which 20 species have been selected as having commercial potential.This report is intended for those who are involved in decision making on alternative fuels and global warming, landcare groups and mining companies; with the view to convincing them of the potential use of native and naturalised species in biodiesel production and sustainable regional development

Experimental investigations to demonstrate biodiesel potential of beauty leaf tree (Calophyllum inophyllum L.)

Beauty Leaf Tree (BLT) is a wild Australian plant that has drawn the attention of many scientists who are searching for sustainable sources of renewable energy. This is because BLT produces about 10,000 fruits per tree, and the seeds contain up to 70% oil. Most importantly, it has the ability to grow on marginal soils in many tropical countries. The number of studies dealing with this species have escalated over the last three years, partly due to the studies carried out by the Central Queensland University (CQU). This paper summarises the results of those investigations that include testing for natural variability in growth, phenology and seed production, and developing seed collection and seed oil extraction procedures. The techniques used in converting the BLT oil into biodiesel, testing the biodiesel for engine performance and emission characteristics, and evaluating the BLT genotypes for stress tolerance are also explained. These investigations clearly demonstrate the potential of BLT to serve as the future feedstock for 2nd generation biofuel production in developed and developing tropical countries. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd

The beauty of the beauty leaf tree

Beauty leaf tree can be used in all walks of life ranging from the cut flower industry, as an avenue tree and land rehabilitation; to the establishment of large-scale plantations for biofuel and timber production

Selection and establishment of suitable plant species on phytocaps

Landfill operators are required by law to prevent entry of water into landfills with the view to minimising methane emmission and leachate generation

Variations in bark thickness and sapwood density of Calophyllum inophyllum provenances in Australia and in Sri Lanka

Sapwood density and bark thickness of Calophyllum inophyllum L. (a multipurpose durable timber species) were studied in various locations in Northern Australia and in Sri Lanka. Measurements were taken non-destructively by using core sampling and bark gauge. From each provenance, 4–15 mature trees having girth at breast height over bark (GBHOB) at 100–150 cm were selected on the basis of the population size. Significant (p<0.05) hemispheric and provenance variations in bark thickness were found. Variations in the bark thickness are influenced by environmental variables. Variations in sapwood density were less pronounced compared to that of bark thickness. Variations in sapwood density are likely to be governed by genotypic variations

Bioenergy and charcoal production : an alternative option for disposal of combustible municipal wastes

This project explored the possibility of using a CSIRO process to convert green waste (70,000 T/yr) to bioenergy. Tests conducted using CSIRO fluidised bed technique show that these wastes can be successfully converted to charcoal, and that this charcoal is very suitable for use as cooking fuels. The charcoal recovery rates achieved are also acceptable for commercial production and use as biochars to boost crop production (Chan et al., 2007; Cheng et al., 2008) or to sequester carbon in the soil (Sohi et al., 2009). There is also a potential to supply steam/heat to a major abattoir. The most attractive market for steam/heat is more likely to be to supply steam to Stanwell Power Station for green energy generation. The study also undertook preliminary engineering design and costing

Phytocapping : an alternative technique for landfill remediation

An alternative technique of landfill remediation known as 'Phytocapping' was trialled at Rockhampton, Australia. Twenty one tree species were established on two types of phytocaps (thick cap; 1400 mm soil and thin cap; 700 mm). The trial was monitored for plant growth, transpiration loss, canopy rainfall interception and methane oxidation. The results show that the tree species can intercept ca. 30% of the rainfall and they transpire 1-2 mm day−1. The phytocaps also lowered methane emission by 4-5 times compared to an adjacent non-vegetated landfill. The HYDRUS 1D simulation revealed a percolation rate of 16.7 mm yr−1 in thick phytocap and 23.8 mm yr−1 in thin phytocap. These values are significantly lower than those expected from compacted clay capping (78 mm yr−1; i.e. 10% of the rainfall). Overall, this study demonstrated that the phytocaps are effective in minimising percolation of water into buried waste. Further research is being conducted (http://www.wmaa.com.au/aacap/aacap.html), to seek approval of regulatory authorities to use phytocapping as an alternative technique of landfill remediation

Calophyllum inophyllum : recalcitrant or intermediate seed?

We studied seed storage behaviour of a multipurpose tree Calophyllum inophyllum (Clusiaseae). Seeds were collected at Roslyn bay (23°7′60″ S, 150°43'60″ E) Central Queensland. Seed drying and desiccation tolerance tests were carried out according to International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) rules. We found C. inophyllum seeds to be recalcitrant and vulnerable to chilling injury, hence, unsuited for cold storage. C. inophyllum seeds maintained their viability for an appreciable period (> 8 months) if stored in warmer environments

Comparative performance of micropropagated and seed-grown tomato plants

Morphological, physiological, fruit yield and quality related traits were compared between the seed-grown and tissue cultured plants of tomato (Lycopersicone sculentumM ill.) cv. Red Coat in a greenhouse. No significant differences were observed for any of the traits studied except for the number of leaves and branches, which were higher in the seed-grown plants than in tissue-cultured plants at the later stages of growth. No phenotypic abnormality of the tissue-cultured plants was observed suggesting that genetic fidelity of tissue cultured plants can be maintained if appropriate plant growth regulators are used with fewer member of subcultures in the multiplication medium

Effect of duration of light:dark cycles on in vitro shoot regeneration of tomato

Cotyledonary explants of the Red Coat cultivar were exposed to light:dark cycles in regeneration medium (MS basal+15 µM zeatin) for four weeks, with the view of elucidating the role of light in direct shoot regeneration. Light has not been found essential for shoot regeneration in tomato. However, maximum shoot regeneration response (60%) could only occur in the explants exposed to 16 h light and 8 h dark. The response declined at 2 h dark (47%) or 24 h light (40%). Comparable number of shoots was produced in the 16 h light (3.3) and 24 h dark (3.2) treatments, but in 24 h light treatment the number of shoots produced per explant was less (2.7). Shoots with maximum height were observed in 24 h light (6.3 mm) followed by 16 h light (4.5 mm) and 24 h dark (3.9 mm). The shoots regenerated in the dark were not etiolated. Mimicking of light regulated processes by exogenous application of high concentration of cytokinin can be the possible reason for the non-etiolated behaviour of the dark regenerated shoots. Although light was not essential for shoot regeneration, appropriate light:dark cycles were required for proper chlorophyll development