Lignocellulosic Biomass Production and Persistence of Perennial Grass Species Grown in Mediterranean Marginal Lands

Biomass production in marginal lands represents one of the most challenging and promising alternatives to sustainably produce biofuels. Native species seem to be the most adequate option to obtain a profitable output when low-input techniques are applied, and biomass is grown in depleted soils and harsh climatic conditions. In this study, a 5-year field trial in the island of Majorca served to investigate different autochthonous and naturalized Mediterranean perennial grasses as novel candidate lignocellulosic bioenergy crops for the semi-arid Mediterranean area and compare them with commercial ones (both Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean). Species and growing season had a significant effect on biomass production, perennialism and biomass quality. Arundo donax (winter crops) and Piptatherum miliaceum (autumn crops) performed better than the commercial species tested (Panicum virgatum for winter crops and Festuca arundinacea for autumn crops) in biomass production and perennialism. In terms of biomass quality, Panicum virgatum was the best species, having high structural content (mainly cellulose and hemicellulose), low non-structural content and the lowest ash. However, Ampelodesmos mauritanicus and Arundo donax rendered similar results, with no significant difference in terms of cellulose production for this latter but with higher lignin content. For the autumn species, Festuca arundinacea was the species with the best biomass quality but with the highest ash production for all the species considered. Hence, both for winter or autumn regimes, native or naturalized plants seem to be better suited than the commercial commonly used for biomass production with energy-producing purposes. Further research must be conducted in terms of seed biology and physiology, seedbed preparation methods, sowing time, seedling density and weed control before they can firmly be proposed as adequate alternatives for energy purposes.

Download Full-text

Crithmum maritimum L.: First Results on Phenological Development and Biomass Production in Mediterranean Areas

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11040773 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 773

Author(s):

Stefano Zenobi ◽

Marco Fiorentini ◽

Silvia Zitti ◽

Lucia Aquilanti ◽

Roberta Foligni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biomass Production ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Main Stem ◽

Chemical Parameters ◽

Marginal Lands ◽

Organic Farm ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Dry Biomass ◽

First Results ◽

And Control

In Mediterranean cropping systems, it is important to utilise marginal lands for the cultivation of native food crops. Previous research on Crithmum maritimum L., a species native to southern Europe, has focused on its alimentary and chemical parameters. The aim of the present study was to identify the effects of irrigation and fertigation systems on C. maritimum in Mediterranean cropping systems. We planted C. maritimum seeds in an organic farm in Italy, and we carried out three experiments (fertigation, irrigation, and control) with three replications each. We evaluated plant phenological development and biomass production. We found that these treatments significantly influenced plant phenology and biomass parameters. Even with low irrigation and fertigation, this species showed a significant difference in the Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt, CHemischeIndustrie (BBCH) phase at harvest: in fact, there were 39 and 35 leaves on the main stem in the irrigation and fertigation treatments, respectively, while there were 29 leaves on the main stem in the rainfed unfertilised control. Biomass production also showed the same significant difference: 1.8 and 2.0 t ha−1 of total dry biomass in the irrigation and fertigation treatments, respectively, and 1.2 t ha−1 of total dry biomass in the rainfed unfertilised control. In conclusion, we recommend the use of C. maritimum for food production in Mediterranean organic cropping systems.

Download Full-text

Arundo donax L. Biomass Production in a Polluted Area: Effects of Two Harvest Timings on Heavy Metals Uptake

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11031147 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 1147

Author(s):

Tommaso Danelli ◽

Alessio Sepulcri ◽

Giacomo Masetti ◽

Federico Colombo ◽

Stefano Sangiorgio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Anaerobic Digestion ◽

Biomass Production ◽

Energy Production ◽

Panicum Virgatum ◽

Arundo Donax ◽

Polluted Area ◽

Energy Crop ◽

Late Winter ◽

Arundo Donax L

Within the framework of energy biomass production, Arundo donax L. is very promising for its capability to grow on marginal lands with high yields. This potential can be realized in unused polluted areas where the energy production can be coupled with phytoremediation, and harvested biomass represents a resource and a means to remove contaminants from the soil. Two main processes are considered to evaluate A. donax L. biomass as an energy crop, determined by the timing of harvest: anaerobic digestion with fresh biomass before winter and combustion (e.g., pyrolysis and gasification) of dry canes in late winter. The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of A. donax L. in an area polluted by heavy metals for phytoextraction and energy production at two different harvest times (October and February). For that purpose, we established in polluted area in northern Italy (Caffaro area, Brescia) an experimental field of A. donax, and included switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and mixed meadow species as controls. The results obtained by ICP-MS analysis performed on harvested biomasses highlighted a differential uptake of heavy metals depending on harvest time. In particular, considering the yield in the third year, A. donax was able to remove from the soil 3.87 kg ha−1 of Zn, 2.09 kg ha−1 of Cu and 0.007 kg ha−1 of Cd when harvested in October. Production of A. donax L. for anaerobic digestion or combustion in polluted areas represents a potential solution for both energy production and phytoextraction of heavy metals, in particular Cu, Zn and Cd.

Download Full-text

Differences in warming impacts on wheat productivity among varieties released in different eras in North China

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859615000118 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 153 (8) ◽

pp. 1353-1364 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

C. Y. ZHENG ◽

J. CHEN ◽

Z. W. SONG ◽

A. X. DENG ◽

L. N. JIANG ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Winter Wheat ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Biomass Production ◽

Air Temperature ◽

North China ◽

Growth Period ◽

Wheat Breeding ◽

Wheat Growth ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Significant Difference

SUMMARYTen leading varieties of winter wheat released during 1950–2009 in North China were tested in a free-air temperature increase (FATI) facility. The FATI facility mimicked the local air temperature pattern well, with an increase of 1·1 °C in the daily mean temperature. For all the tested varieties, warming caused a significant reduction in the total length of wheat growth period by 5 days and especially in the pre-anthesis period, where it was reduced by 9 days. However, warming increased wheat biomass production and grain yield by 8·4 and 11·4%, respectively, on an average of all the tested varieties. There was no significant difference in the warming-led reduction in the entire growth period among the tested varieties. Interestingly, the warming-led increments in biomass production and grain yield increased along with the variety release year. Significantly higher warming-led increases in post-anthesis biomass production and 1000-grain weight were found in the new varieties compared to the old ones. Meanwhile, a significant improvement in plant productivity was noted due to wheat breeding during the past six decades, while no significant difference in the length of entire growth period was found among the varieties released in different eras. The results demonstrate that historical wheat breeding might have enhanced winter wheat productivity and adaptability through exploiting the positive effects rather than mitigating the negative impacts of warming on wheat growth in North China.

Download Full-text

EVALUATION OF SUBSTRATES AND AMF SPORULATION IN THE PRODUCTION OF SEEDLINGS OF NATIVE FOREST SPECIES

Revista Árvore ◽

10.1590/0100-67622016000200007 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 245-254 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Luciana de Moura Gonzaga ◽

Sarah Santos da Silva ◽

Silvane de Almeida Campos ◽

Rodrigo de Paula Ferreira ◽

André Narvaes da Rocha Campos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biomass Production ◽

Forest Restoration ◽

Rubber Tree ◽

Poultry Manure ◽

Native Forest ◽

Organic Substrates ◽

Forest Species ◽

Hymenaea Courbaril ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Potential Use

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate organic substrates in the production of canafistula (Peltophorum dubium) (Spreng.) Taub, cutieira (Joannesiaprinceps Vell.), jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril L.) and rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis M. Arg.) seedlings, native trees with potential use in forest restoration programs. The design was completely randomized with 10 substrate formulations with 4 repetitions of 3 plants for the four species. The evaluated substrates consisted of soil, bovine manure (BM), poultry manure (PM), chemical fertilizer (CF) and sand, in different proportions. The experiment was concluded at the end of 180 days for canafistula, cutieira and rubber and 210 days for jatoba. At the end of these periods, the root (RDM), shoot (SDM) and total (TDM) the dry matters of the seedlings were determined. Quantification of AMF spores and normalization between samples through SPORES/RDM correction were also performed. The Scott-Knott test at 5% probability was applied. Regarding biomass production, only canafistula had significant difference among the tested substrates. In relation to sporulation, the highest values were observed in cutieira and rubber tree in substrate containing PM. The substrates composed of 40 or 50% soil + 20% sand + 30% or 40 PM for canafistula; 50% soil + 20% sand + 30% PM for cutieira; and for jatoba and rubber tree 60% soil + 20% sand + 20% PM, enabled the best results in terms of biomass production in seedlings and AMF sporulation.

Download Full-text

A nutrient-based sustainability assessment of purpose-grown poplar and switchgrass biomass production systems established on marginal lands in Canada

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.1139/cjps-2017-0220 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Muhammad Waseem Ashiq ◽

Amir Behzad Bazrgar ◽

Houman Fei ◽

Brent Coleman ◽

J. Kevin Vessey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biomass Production ◽

Sustainability Assessment ◽

Production Systems ◽

Marginal Lands

Download Full-text

Distribution of recently fixed photosynthate in a switchgrass plant-soil system

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/532/2011-pse ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 58 (No. 6) ◽

pp. 249-255 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

D.R. Chaudhary ◽

J. Saxena ◽

N. Lorenz ◽

R.P. Dick

Keyword(s):

Panicum Virgatum ◽

Rhizosphere Soil ◽

Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽

Bulk Soil ◽

Energy Crop ◽

Marginal Lands ◽

Soil System ◽

Plant Soil ◽

Panicum Virgatum L ◽

Maintenance Requirements

The use of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) as an energy crop has gained great importance in past two decades due to its high biomass yields on marginal lands with low agricultural inputs and low maintenance requirements. Information on the allocation of photosynthetically fixed C in the switchgrass-soil system is important to understand the C flow and to quantify the sequestration of C in soils. The allocation of 13C labeled photosynthates in shoot, root, soil, and in microbial biomass carbon (MBC) of rhizosphere and bulk soil of 45 days old, greenhouse grown-switchgrass was examined during 20 days 13C-CO2 pulse labeling period. The total 13C recovered in the plant-soil system varied from 79% after 1 day to 42% after 20 days of labeling. After labeling, 54%, 40%, and 6% excess 13C resided in shoot, root and soil, respectively on day 1; 27%, 61% and 11%, respectively on day 5 and 20%, 63% and 17%, respectively day 20 after labeling. The maximum incorporation of 13C from roots into the MB of rhizosphere soil occurred within the first 24 h of labeling. The excess 13C values of rhizosphere soil and rhizosphere MBC were significantly higher than excess 13C values of bulk soil and the bulk soil MBC, respectively. The proportion of excess 13C in soil as MBC declined from 92 to 15% in rhizosphere soil and from 79 to 18% in bulk soil, for 1 day and 20 days after labeling, respectively. The present study showed the effectiveness of 13C labeling to examine the fate of recently photosynthesized C in soil-plant (switchgrass) system and dynamics of MBC.

Download Full-text

Effects of perennial aromatic grass species richness and microbial consortium on soil properties of marginal lands and on biomass production

Land Degradation and Development ◽

10.1002/ldr.3742 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Pawan K. Maddhesiya ◽

Kripal Singh ◽

Rana P. Singh

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Biomass Production ◽

Microbial Consortium ◽

Grass Species ◽

Marginal Lands ◽

Aromatic Grass

Download Full-text

Trigonelline Accumulation in Leaves of Panicum virgatum Seedlings

Natural Product Communications ◽

10.1177/1934578x1400900826 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1934578X1400900 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lauren M. Schwartz ◽

Andrew J. Wood ◽

David J. Gibson

Keyword(s):

Water Deficit ◽

Tallgrass Prairie ◽

Panicum Virgatum ◽

Water Deficit Stress ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Moisture Treatment ◽

Relative Water ◽

Tallgrass Prairies ◽

Response To Water ◽

Physiological Markers

Panicum virgatum is a dominant, native, perennial species found in the tallgrass prairie. In this study, we report the biosynthesis and accumulation of trigonelline (TRG) in leaves of P. virgatum in response to water-deficit stress. Once established, half of the seedlings underwent a drought stress treatment while the other half were watered daily (control). Relative water content (RWC) and trigonelline (TRG) concentrations were determined. RWC showed an interaction between moisture treatment and time, in which upland cultivars had the highest mean RWC compared with the lowland cultivars. The moisture treatments showed a significant difference in TRG concentration across all P. virgatum cultivars, which ranged from 0.5–31.8 μg/gFW−1. There was a divergence in TRG accumulation between upland and lowland cultivars in relation to RWC. This study is the first to report TRG accumulation in the grass P. virgatum, and to test for differences in TRG with respect to water-deficit stress among cultivars. The effect of soil moisture levels on cultivars may be important in making an informed selection and the response of P. virgatum and other dominant grasses should be considered as a potential filter in tallgrass prairies for restoration. Physiological markers such as TRG and RWC can aid in this decision making process.

Download Full-text