Growing of Phalaroides arundinacea L. and Bromopsis inermis Leyss for Biofuel Using Sewage Sludge Compost as a Fertilizer

Abstract

Bromopsis inermis and Phalaroides arundinacea are increasingly grown not only for feed but also for other purposes, such as obtaining energy. Composting sewage sludge and using such compost to fertilize various plants is also becoming more popular. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate how the fertilization of the mentioned plants with sewage sludge compost (SSC) affects the biomass yield and biomass quality of these plants. It was also important to determine whether fertilization with SSC is possible in low-yielding soils of light texture without harming these soils There are no similar studies in Lithuania, and there are very few in Europe and the world. It was found that investigated grasses formed a small biomass DM yield (6.6 t/ha within three years). The biomass of B. inermis and Ph. arundinacea had a very high ash content and concentrations of nitrogen and potassium. This greatly reduced the quality of the biomass of these grasses as a solid biofuel. SSC performed poorly as a fertilizer. Fertilization with 125 t/ha SSC significantly increased the total biomass yield of Ph. arundinacea only. At the same time, using SSC as a fertilizer significantly increased the concentration of Cu, Zn, and Cd in the soil.

Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis L.)—A Versatile Grass: A Review

“…Pastures with a predominance of smooth bromegrass are an excellent source of forage for cattle during the entire growing season. Daily weight gains are similar in cattle grazed on smooth bromegrass and other grass species [90]. In the tillering stage, the protein content of smooth bromegrass ranges from 230 to 244 g/kg.…”

“…Tall perennial grasses, including smooth brome, meet the criteria for energy crops and can be used as renewable energy sources [89,90,103]. In comparison with other perennial grasses, smooth brome is more abundant in polysaccharides with a low degree of polymerization, and its biomass can be readily used as feedstock in biogas plants [43,104].…”