Switchgrass growth and pine–switchgrass interactions in established intercropping systems

Tian, Shiying; Cacho, Julian F.; Youssef, Mohamed A.; Chescheir, George M.; Fischer, Milan; Nettles, Jami E.; King, John S.

doi:10.1111/gcbb.12381

Title: Switchgrass growth and pine–switchgrass interactions in established intercropping systems

Journal Article · Wed Jul 20 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Global Change Biology. Bioenergy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12381· OSTI ID:1266400

Tian, Shiying ^[1]; Cacho, Julian F. ^[1]; Youssef, Mohamed A. ^[1]; Chescheir, George M. ^[1]; Fischer, Milan ^[2]; Nettles, Jami E. ^[3]; King, John S. ^[2]

Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering North Carolina State University Raleigh NC USA
Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources North Carolina State University Raleigh NC USA
Research Hydrologist Weyerhaeuser Company Columbus MS USA

Abstract Intercropping switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.) with loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda L.) has been proposed for producing bioenergy feedstock in the southeastern United States. This study investigated switchgrass growth and pine–switchgrass interactions at two established experimental fields (7‐year‐old Lenoir site and 5‐year‐old Carteret site) located on the coastal plain of eastern United States. Position effects (edge and center of switchgrass alley in intercropping plots) and treatment effects (intercropping vs. grass‐only) on aboveground switchgrass growth were evaluated. Interspecific interactions with respect to capturing resources (light, soil water, and nitrogen) were investigated by measuring photosynthetically active radiation ( PAR ) above grass canopy, soil moisture, and soil mineral nitrogen contents. Switchgrass growth was significantly ( P = 0.001) affected by treatments in Lenoir and by position ( P < 0.0001) in both study sites. Relative to the center, PAR above grass canopy at edge in both sites was about 48% less during the growing season. Soil water content during the growing season at the edge of grass alley was significantly ( P = 0.0001) lower by 23% than at the center in Lenoir, while no significant ( P = 0.42) difference was observed in Carteret, in spite of more grass growth at center at both sites. Soil mineral nitrogen content at the center of intercropping plots in Lenoir (no fertilization during 2015) was significantly ( P < 0.07) lower than at the edge during the peak of growing season (June, July, and August), but not during early and late parts of growing season (May, September, and November). Position effects on soil water and mineral nitrogen were less evident under conditions with higher external inputs (rainfall and fertilization) and lower plant uptake during nongrowing seasons. Results from this study contributed to a better understanding of above‐ and belowground pine–switchgrass interactions which is necessary to properly manage this new cultivation system for bioenergy production in the southeastern United States.

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Research Organization:: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: DE‐EE0004395; EE0004395

OSTI ID:: 1266400

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1271466; OSTI ID: 1393499

Journal Information:: Global Change Biology. Bioenergy, Journal Name: Global Change Biology. Bioenergy Vol. 9 Journal Issue: 5; ISSN 1757-1693

Publisher:: Wiley-BlackwellCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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Cited by: 14 works

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Title: Switchgrass growth and pine–switchgrass interactions in established intercropping systems

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