Biomass Production and Composition of Temperate and Tropical Maize in Central Iowa

Abstract

Bioethanol production in the midwestern U.S. has largely focused on maize (Zea mays L.) grain for starch-based ethanol production. There has been growing interest in lignocellulosic biomass as a feedstock for biofuels. Because maize adapted to the tropics does not initiate senescence as early as temperate-adapted maize, using a tropical germplasm could improve biomass yield. This study compares the suitability of temperate and tropical maize with differing relative maturities as feedstocks for bioethanol production. Field trials were established in central Iowa during the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons. Six hybrids of different relative maturities were grown at two levels of N fertilization and two row spacings to evaluate total biomass production and feedstock quality under midwestern U.S. conditions. Total biomass, height at the final leaf collar, stem diameter at one meter above ground, and lignocellulose concentration were measured at harvest. Tropical maize was taller and had greater non-grain and total biomass production (15% more than temperate maize), while temperate maize had greater grain yield and grain starch, as well as earlier maturation. Narrower row spacing had greater biomass and grain yield. Nitrogen fertilization rate affected grain and feedstock composition. Tropical maize had lower cellulose, lignin, and ash concentrations and higher nitrogen at harvest than that of temperate maize. Conversely, temperate maize had greater ash, cellulose, and lignin concentrations. Tropical maize planted at high densities has high potential as a feedstock for bioethanol production in the U.S. Midwest.

An Evaluation of a New Scheme for Determination of Irrigation Depths in the Egyptian Nile Delta

“…At harvest, the values of total non-grain biomass obtained for the A and B treatments were 26.6 Mg ha −1 and 29.0 Mg ha −1 , respectively. These findings matched those of Infante et al [35], who reported that temperate maize non-grain biomass ranges from 26 to 31 Mg ha −1 . One possible explanation for the differences in non-grain biomass is that nitrate uptake in treatment B was slightly higher than in treatment A at the same rate of nitrate leaching as shown in Figure 8.…”

Yield-Maturity Relationships of Summer Maize from 2003 to 2017 in the Huanghuaihai Plain of China

“…Canopy space size, or canopy volume occupied by a crop population equals plant height times land area, so canopy volume is proportional to plant height. Many studies have found that plant height could be an indicator of non-grain and total biomass production for maize 19 . Few studies have related plant height to crop grain yield.…”

Reciprocal cross effect over seasons on agronomic and yield traits in waxy corn under tropical savanna

“…Another advantage of early maturity is that growers may receive more income annually if they cultivate the crop twice to triple yearly. The taller corn plant has been reported to be correlated with higher corn biomass (Infante et al 2018). Perhaps our two promising hybrids had higher fresh biomass.…”