Evaluation of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) grown for energy use

Abstract

Strašil Z., 2012. Evaluation of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) grown for energy use. Res. Agr. Eng., Field experiments with reed canary grass were conducted during 1996-2000 at four different sites (Ruzyně, Troubsko, Lukavec and Chomutov in the Czech Republic). In the period 2001-2009 the experiments were run at Ruzyně and Lukavec. During vegetation the following indicators were monitored: the course of weather in individual years at given sites and infestation of stands by pests and diseases. Furthermore, we monitored the effects of N application rates, year, site, as well as the effect of harvest time on yields of harvested biomass, moisture content, elements content, and energy content. The content of heavy metals in soils and subsequently in plants was also monitored. The zoning methodology was created for reed canary grass. The highest average dry matter yield of reed canary grass harvested in late autumn was achieved for comparable periods during 1996-2000 at Ruzyně (8.33 t/ha), and the lowest at Chomutov (6.80 t/ha). The greatest effect of N fertilization on yields was recorded at Ruzyně, where the N2 rate (80 kg/ha) increased the yield on average by 28.6% in comparison with the non-fertilized variants. Average loss of biomass over winter was 23.0%.

The impact of lime and nitrogen fertilization on cocksfoot and reed canary grass productivity in Albeluvisol and energy evaluation of their cultivation technology

“…Due to reduction of soil mineral nitrogen amount and the subsequent decreasing of competitive power of both investigated species (in particularly cocksfoot sward), the significant number of other grass forbs began predominating. These observations agree with the data of other researchers (Strašil, 2012). Energy evaluation of growing technology.…”

“…A 23% loss of biomass over the winter period is compensated for by the reduction in moisture as well as potassium, chlorine, nitrogen and sulphur content. This, in turn, improves biomass energy parameters (Strašil, 2012). The above presented data evidently reveals that the variations in both perennial grasses productivity, i.e.…”

“…In the total DM yield, the share of 2 nd cut reed canary grass sward evidently decreased from 51.27% (in 2010) to 37.05% (in 2012). Like in the case of cocksfoot, reed canary grass productivity and its seasonal fluctuations depending on growing conditions are reported by other authors (Strašil, 2012). The effect of liming was less obvious.…”

“…Pot and field experiments conducted in Canada and Estonia show that reed canary grass cultivated in highly acid (pH KCl 3.0-4.0) organic soil produces substantially lower biomass yield (Levesque, Mathur, 1983;Heinsoo et al, 2011). Research done in different localities of Czech Republic suggests higher reed canary grass productivity in less acid soils; however, its productivity is also shown to depend on other soil and weather factors (Strašil, 2012). Many Lithuanian and foreign authors note the positive impact of N on reed canary grass productivity.…”

“…Many Lithuanian and foreign authors note the positive impact of N on reed canary grass productivity. Altogether, nitrogen efficiency is uneven and depends on various agrometeorological factors (Kryževičienė, 2006;Saijonkari-Pahkala, 2001;Strašil, 2012;Tilvikienė et al, 2012).…”