Assessment of the Biogas Yield of White Mustard (<i>Sinapis alba</i>) Cultivated as Intercrops

Abstract

Popularization of intercrops in agriculture, resulting in an increased sequestration of carbon dioxide may bring additional benefits, becoming a source of biomass constituting a feedstock for biogas production. The residue formed in the course of biogas production, i.e. digestate, is also an alternative or a valuable supplement for mineral fertilizers necessary to maintain the proper condition of the agricultural soil. Therefore, the application of substrates from the intecrop biomass enables to improve the quality of soil, without sacrificing the main crop, by preventing the leaching of nutrients; it also reduces the risk of plant diseases, has a significant influence on diversification of energy sources, and contributes to solving the issue of excessive greenhouse gases emission. The aim of the work was to investigate the biogas and methanogenic potential of white mustard (Sinapis alba) and estimate the biogas efficiency of its biomass (the above-ground part) per hectare of arable land. The studies were conducted on the plants cultivated on experimental plots located in Emilianów and Wierzbica (Lubelskie Voivoideship). The cultivation of plants was conducted simultaneously, as stubble crop. The studies indicated a significant quantitative and qualitative differentiation of plant biomass collected from particular plots. The C:N ratio, which constitutes the basic factors governing the correct course of methane fermentation, in the case of the shoot biomass of the considered plants, ranged from 13.5:1 to 19.9:1, depending on the location. The biomass efficiency of mustard biomass ranged from 0.6 t d.m. ha -1 to 0.8 t d.m. ha -1 , whereas its biogas potential amounted to 350-440 m 3 t -1 d.m. Therefore, one hectare of intercrop mustard yields 264-280 m 3 of biogas and the produced digestate can be recirculated to the soil, increasing the amount of biogenic substances and enriching it with humic substances.

Theoretical Biochemical Methane Potential Generated by the Anaerobic Digestion of Mustard Green Residues in Different Dilution Volumes

“…The AD process generates two main products: biogas and digestates [2]. The compositions of biogas are 50-70% of methane (CH 4 ), 30-45% of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and other impurities of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and water vapour [3].…”

The Peculiarities of Seeds and the Quality of the Green Mass of Some Non-Traditional Crops in the Republic of Moldova

“…The analysis of the situation in the given field of research demonstrates that it is possible, under the soilclimatic conditions of the Republic of Moldova, to make full use of the potential of a number of non-traditional plants from the families Amaranthaceae, Brassicaceae, Linaceae, Pedaliaceae, Polygonaceae, which are studied to a lesser extent by the international scientific community (Abbasi et al, 2018; Alekksha Kudos, Chandan, 2018;Amorim et al, 2019;Biel et al, 2017;Bhat et al, 2018;Das, 2016;Elleuch et al, 2007;Gautam et al, 2016;Herrmann et al, 2016;Kshnikatkina et al, 2005;Kukusheva and Stepanov, 2016;Mursec et al, 2009;Peiretti, 2018;Póti et al, 2014;Rahnama, Safaeie, 2017;Rakhmetov, 2011Rakhmetov, , 2018Rakhmetov and Rakhmetova, 2006;2011;Rakhmetov et al, 2004;Seppälä, 2013;Słomka and Wójcik Oliveira, 2021;Ustak et al, 2011;Uteush, 1990;Von Cossel, 2019) and the one from the Republic of Moldova (Chisnicean et al, 2011;Teleuţă and Ţîţei, 2016;Teleuță et al, 2008;Țîței, 2015, 2020Țîței and Roșca, 2021;Teleuţă and Ţîţei, 2016).…”