Biomass potential of selected grass and legume crops

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Energy Sources; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00908319108908989· OSTI ID:5769763

Cherney, J H; Johnson, K D; Volenec, J J; Greene, D K ^[1]

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1. Dept. of Agronomy, Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (US)

Optimum management strategies for herbaceous biomass crops must be investigated concurrently with the development of cost-effective conversion processes. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the agronomic feasibility of several combinations of species and management systems for producing herbaceous biomass on sites ranging from good to marginal cropland in the Midwest region of the United States. Of the perennial grasses and legumes investigated, switchgrass showed the most potential as a biomass species. It requires minimum fertilizer inputs for high yield, is very persistent, and is effective in reducing soil erosion. Sorghum double-cropped with winter annual rye was very productive but required more inputs than switchgrass. Interseeding sorghum into perennial grasses was not a viable option, due to its great dependence on environmental variables. Plant composition varied greatly across species but was not greatly affected by environment or management treatmenst.

• OSTI ID: 5769763
• Journal Information: Energy Sources; (United States), Journal Name: Energy Sources; (United States) Vol. 13:3; ISSN 0090-8312; ISSN EGYSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090700* -- Biomass Fuels-- Resources-- (1990-)
090800 -- Biomass Fuels-- Production-- (1990-)
BIOMASS
BIOMASS CONVERSION PLANTS
CEREALS
CONVERSION
CROPS
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
GRAMINEAE
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LEGUMINOSAE
LILIOPSIDA
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
MANAGEMENT
PLANTS
PREFERRED SPECIES
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
SORGHUM