Biomass has variable composition and properties which depend on fertilization intensity. Reed canary grass (Phalaris arun dinacea L.) was investigated in small-plots experiment on light soil Arenosols. The biomass yield data on the average of two years of sward use showed that in this experiment biomass yield of reed canary grass without nitrogen was significantly lower than that fertilized with nitrogen, and ash content range depended on fertilization. In comparison with grass fertilized with N 120 and N 0 the biomass with nitrogen fertilization N 120 showed the lowest concentration of ash, which is a favourable feature for combustion process. Further research into the management of reed canary grass is needed. Key words: Phalaris arundinacea L., biomass yield, bioenergy potential INTRODUCTIONBiomass yield and quality are the indicators which determine possible energy yield of biomass per unit and an optional species of plants for energy conversion. In the past few years in Europe great focus is on bioenergy. Till now in Lithuania the most popular bioenergy source was wood, but increasing interest in bioenergy sector and new processing technologies suggest looking for alternative energy sources in all sectors. One of the most suitable sources for bioenergy in agriculture is perennial grasses [1,2]. Perennials can be grown in one place without reseeding more than ten years; they do not require a lot of fertilizers 1 This work was presented at the 7th International Conference "The Vital Nature Sign", Kaunas, May 16-19, 2013. 196 Lina Pocienė, Lina Šarūnaitė, Vita Tilvikienė, Jonas Šlepetys, Žydrė Kadžiulienė and their quality can be managed by the cutting frequency, by fertilization or by choosing the most suitable variety of grasses [3,4,5,6]. Different requirements of biomass quality are for biogas production and solid fuels, but there is one, which is common for all bioenergy sources, namely biomass yield [7].In the regions of Northern Canada, Europe and Russia higher energy potential is achieved from the production of cold season (C3) perennial grasses, such as reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) [8,9]. Lewandowski et al. [10] in her experiments proved that C4 or warm season plants are more productive than C3 or cold season plants because of higher efficiency of photosynthesis, but in the northern regions reed canary grass and tall fescue grown on a higher yield than C4 plants because of lower ambient temperatures and shorter growing season, which significantly limits C4 type vegetation growth.The selection of energy crops should be started from traditional crops as their growing for other purposes and overwintering abilities are already known. The main question for the researchers is how to get the highest biomass yield with the appropriate biomass quality for bioenergy.In different soil and climatic conditions the biomass yield of the same crops is different. Kadžiulienė et al. [11] and Jasinskas, Kry že-vi čienė [12] have reported that in favo...

Grass biomass is a potential feedstock for solid biofuel production. This paper presents the results of experiments conducted on Endocalcari-Epihypogleyic Cambisol (CMg-p-w-can) to evaluate the biomass yield, quality and bioenergy potential of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.). Two kinds of fertilizers mineral nitrogen (90 kg ha -1 ) and biogas waste (digestate) with the same amount of nitrogen and one-cut regime either in July or in October were chosen to estimate the biomass productivity and energy potential. The results of a two-year experiment suggest that the biomass yield and energy potential depended on the grass species and cultivation technology. Higher biomass and energy yields were produced by reed canary grass when harvested in July, while by tall fescue when harvested in October. Both grass species were most productive when fertilized with mineral nitrogen. Of the two grass species and harvesting dates tested, the highest biomass and energy yields were produced by reed canary grass swards harvested in July. It was proved that the highest content of lignin in the biomass led to the highest energy yield of swards.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the use of agricultural biomass for energy purpose in many northern countries. This has created demand for novel, high biomass yielding, specific quality crops for sustainable use. The aim of the current study was to examine Artemisia dubia Wall. for biomass yield and biomass characteristics important for combustion in the temperate climate conditions. The crops were grown on an EndocalcariEpihypogleyic Cambisol (CMg-p-w-can) without fertilization and with mineral nitrogen fertilization at 90 and 170 kg ha -1 N rates. Nitrogen fertilization slightly increased plant height and accumulation of biomass. Moisture content in the biomass of swards applied with a higher rate of mineral N decreased more slowly compared with the lower rate. Biomass annual yield in the second and third years ranged from 15.8 to 17.1 t ha -1 ; however, significant effect of nitrogen fertilization was not observed. Nitrogen fertilization had a significant influence on N content and lignin in the biomass. The variation of values of the elements relevant for combustion (carbon and sulphur) in the biomass was negligibly influenced by nitrogen fertilization. The relatively low ash content and heating value, amounting to 8.5 MJ kg -1 achieved even without nitrogen fertilization, makes A. dubia a promising energy crop in the northern part of the temperate climate zone. More studies and analyses on A. dubia are needed to ascertain the fertilization effect on biomass yield, biomass quality and biomass properties for combustion in senescent plants.

No abstract

No abstract