Cultivation of reed canary grass Phalaris arundinacea L. for biogas production:methodology for practice

Abstract

The basic aim of the methodology is to provide farmers, agricultural advisors, providers of biogas plants and anyone others the basic information about growing and processing for biogas a prospective non-traditional crop - reed canary grass Phalaris arundinacea L. Up to now, a comprehensive methodology for cultivation and utilization of this crop for biogas production is not processed. The publication provides basic botanical characteristics of the crop, specifies its soil and ecological habitat requirements, describes the agricultural technologies for seeding, cultivation, fertilization, plant protection, harvesting and post-harvest ensiling and gives an overview of potential yields of biomass and biogas, especially methane including their economic evaluation