The role of the «Sugar Beet» magazine in popularization of agricultural energy crops and technologies of their processing for biofuel (1997–2018)

Introduction. Ukraine in the Russian Empire and in Soviet times, as you know, occupied a leading position in the production of beets and sugar. But until 1997, Ukrainian beet growers did not have their own professional Ukrainian-language print publication, although there was an urgent need for it. The industry journal Sugar Beet, which, in fact, became the first communication platform in Ukraine for the implementation of production-scientific and educational-explanatory functions related to the development of beet-growing and bioenergy, was founded in 1997. Sugar Beet was one of the first journals in independent Ukraine in 1998 to be included in the List of Professional Scientific Publications of Ukraine Recommended for the Publication of the Main Results of Doctoral and Candidate's Dissertations in the Department of Agricultural Sciences. The key place in the columns of the publication was occupied not only by sugar beets (Beta vulgaris), but also by the coverage of research work related to the launch of the process of moving some dual-application crops in the research fields and research laboratories of the institute located on Batyi Hill, and some new and until recently little-known for Ukraine so-called ‘energy’ crops (sugar sorghum, miscanthus, switchgrass, Sudan grass, salix, etc.), in special bioenergy plantations to obtain biomass and process it into various types of energy, which later stimulated and, in fact, symbolized a breakthrough in terms of forming a new independent bioenergy (phytoenergy) industry in Ukraine. 1076 original research and production articles were published in the columns, the authors of which are not only scientists and practitioners of the crop industry, but creators of high-yielding varieties in Ukraine and abroad – in Russia, Kazakhstan, Germany, Switzerland, Belarus and others. countries; At the same time, each 5–6 articles published under the headings such as Non-traitional Crops, Biotechnology, Breeding and Genetics, Agrotechnology or Bioenergy directly or indirectly covers the problems of development of so-called special ‘energy’ plants. A section on world and domestic trends in the development of renewable and non-traditional energy sources has found a permanent residence on the pages of the journal. Conclusion. The study shows that one of the oldest scientific and production editions – Sugar Beet – has played an important and timeless role not only in the development of the beet and sugar industry, but also in the history of bioenergy. Its issues are still available online on the official website of the IBCSB (see journal.sugarbeet.gov.ua.).

Prospects of using pine in agriculture on agricultural land in Polissia of Ukraine

Goal. Study of peculiarities of growing pine stands and prospects of their use in agroforestry of Zhytomyr Polissia on the example of agricultural lands of Malyn Vocational College. Methods. Field, laboratory, analytical, statistical. Results. On sod-podzolic sandy soils of Zhytomyr Polissia pine seedlings after three years of cultivation were 55.7 ± 3.43 cm in height. The maximum increase in height was observed during the third year of cultivation of the plantation, when at the beginning of the growing season with herbicide Targon Plus the impact of cereal vegetation reduced to a minimum, resulting in improved seedling growth conditions. The high preservation of pine plants and their intensive growth allow us to make optimistic forecasts about the feasibility of growing them as a forest component of agricultural landscapes, especially given the presence of biotically stable 15-year-old pine plantations created by similar agricultural techniques. They were laid at an initial density of 7.1 thousand seedlings per 1 ha, and later thinned to 2982 and 1691 plants/ha, respectively. With almost the same productivity indicators, higher tree height (by 17.0%) and larger average diameter (by 23.8%) allow thinner plantations to have a more positive impact on adjacent agricultural lands, grow more intensively and have higher productivity in the future. This indicates the expediency of pine plantations in the region of research as a forestry component of agrolandscapes a density at the age of 15 years of about 1700 trees per 1 ha.

Application of bioenergy cultures for bioplastic production

Introduction. Today, alternative natural resources are increasingly used as the main industrial raw material used not only for the production of biofuels and various types of energy, but also other products. Bioenergy crops of miscanthus and switchgrass, which are characterized by long-term high yields, in contrast to, for example, agricultural waste, can be a promising way to attract new sources of high quality cellulose and for the production of bioplastics. The latest scientific research of miscanthus confirms the hypothesis of Ukrainian scientists of the 1980s and scientists from other countries that the raw material of this cellulose-containing crop is fully positioned as a material for the production of cellulose and bioplastics, and for biotechnological production of soluble carbohydrates and biofuels. Conclusion. It is proved that bioenergy crops of miscanthus and switchgrass can be a promising way to attract new sources of high quality cellulose for bioplastics production.

Prospects and methods of polyploid selection of new high-yielding miscanthus clones in the natural climatic conditions of Ukraine

Goal. Expanding the breeding trait collection of breeding genotypes of the genus Miscanthus (Anderson) and the genetic basis for new allotriploid clones by transferring components for hybridization of natural wild species Miscanthus sinensis and Miscanthus sacchariflorus to the tetraploid level. Methods. Cytological, biotechnological, fluorescent cytphotometry, field, laboratory. Results. The efficiency of polyploidisation for induction of new tetraploid forms of miscanthus in liquid nutrient media supplemented with colchicine (0.05% mass) and for stabilization of myxoploid shoots (0.005% mass) for 6 h of cultivation is examined. The period of exposure for Miscanthus sinensis (2x=2x= 38) and Miscanthus sacchariflorus (2x = 2x = 38) varied from 2 hours to 3 days depending on the genetic origin of the material, with transfer to a hormonal environment. The best indicators of tetraploid induction for Miscanthus sinensis were observed for the exposure period of 2 days with polyploidization efficiency (Db%) of 31.25% and 21.42%, and for Miscanthus sacchariflorus 2 and 6 hours with 35.0% and 27.3%, respectively. The technology of transfering rooted shoots into the soil on the Yaltushkiv Eperimental Breeding Farm was improved and the composition of the soil mixture that provided 99% rooting of culture seedlings at a humidity of 60−70% and air temperature of 35−55°С was found. Conclusions. New biotechnological tetraploid lines of Miscanthus sinensis (2xn=4x=76) and Miscanthus sacchariflorus (2xn=4x=76) were created in the conditions of liquid nutrient media supplemented with colchicine (0.05 % mass). It is investigated that flowering of new tetraploid clones in the conditions of Ukraine for the second year of vegetation occurs from late September to early October with formation of fertile pollen grains.

The influence of nitrogen fertilizers on the productivity of energy biomass of willow

Purpose. Determine the optimal rate of nitrogen fertilizers for fertilizing energy plantations of willow before the start of the second three-year cultivation cycle in the Central Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Research methods. Field, analytical, statistical. Results and discussion. Appling of ammonium nitrate contributed to the active beginning of the growing season and the increase in the plant mass in hight. At the end of the first year of vegetation, the tallest plants were formed in variety ‘Tora’ using N70 – 4.67 m, which is more than in the control version (without fertilizer) by 0.71 m, or 16%. For N35, the average plant height was 4.32 m, which is 8% more than the control. The formation of more tall plants to restore more nitrogen was found in the variety’Ternopilska’. Hight of annual plant of this variety in control was 3.68 m, for application N35 – 4.08 m, and for dose N70 – 4.24 m. At the end of the second growing cycle, the average height of plants of the variety ‘Tora’ in control variant was 6.29 m. The highest plants with the distribution of ammonium nitrate in the maximum dose (N70) were 6.78 m, which is more than in control variant by 8%. For the application of N35, the height of plants of the plantation was 6.52 m and 5.79 m. In this case, the decrease in the share affects the height of plants up to 15.4%, and the share affects the varietal characteristics of growth up to 82.9%. Also nitrogen had a positive effect on biomass growth. The yield of dry biomass of three-year-old energy willow plantation in the other part of cyclic production under control (without fertilizers) was 65.3 t/ha (21.8 t/ ha/year) of dry biomass in ‘Tora’ variety, and 55.6 t/ha (18.5 t/ha/year) in ‘Ternopilska’ variety. In the variants with the use of ammonium nitrate in the dose of N35, the indicator increased due to the control in variety ’Tora’ by 2.8 t/ha and by 3.7 t/ha in the variety ’Ternopilska’. Increasing the nitrogen dose to N70 increases the yield of dry biomass in the varieties’Tora’ and ’Ternopilska’ by 8.8 t/ha and 9.3 t/ha, respectively, compared to the control. Conclusions. The application of ammonium nitrate and varietal characteristics have a significant impact on the yield of energy biomass of willow. Of the two studied varieties of willow on chernozem soil of the Central Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, the variety’Tora’ was noted for more intensive growth and higher productivity during the second three-year growing cycle. Plants of both varieties are characterized by higher yields for nitrogen application at a dose of 70 kg/ha a.i.

Effect of fertilizer doses on bioenergy productivity of sugar sorghum

It was found that sugar sorghum for growing in conditions of insufficient moisture on typical chernozem responds positively to the application of mineral fertilizers. The use of fertilizers increased the accumulation of sugars in plant stems in the phase of wax ripeness by 0.5−2.3%, biomass yield by 3.0−18.1 t/ha, bioethanol yield by 0.2−1.1 t/ha, solid fuel by 1.2−6.8 t/ha, total energy yield by 24−135 GJ/ha. The maximum bioenergy productivity of sugar sorghum was reached by growing hybrid ‘Nektarnyi’ and applying N120P120K120. The yield of bioethanol was 3.7 t/ha, solid fuel 22.2 t/ha, total energy yield 446 GJ/ha with excess of control without fertilizers by 1.1 t/ha, 6.8 t/ha and 135 GJ/ha, respectively.

Separation of switchgrass seeds by aerodynamic properties as a way of quality improvement

The article presents the research results on the effect of seed separation (by aerodynamic properties) regime on germination energy and germination in order to reduce the biological dormancy of seeds and significantly improve the quality. Methods. Laboratory, measuring and weighing, mathematical and statistical. Results. With speed increasing in the aspiration column channel from 2.5 to 5.2 m/sec there was a slight change in the 1000-seed weight. There was not dependency in increase in the 1000-seed weight along with increasing air velocity. Thus, if in the control the 1000-seed weight was 1.65 g, then at the maximum 5.2 m/sec air velocity in the aspiration channel it was 1.68 g (SSD0.05 = 0.10 g). Germination energy and seed germination significantly increased in all separation modes except for the mode with 2.50 m/sec air velocity in the aspiration channel. The 1000-seed weight that fell into the waste naturally increased with increasing air velocity in the aspiration channel from 0.15 g to 0.40 g, and germination energy and seed similarity were at the level of 0−1%. Increasing the air speed to 7.87 m/sec provided a significant increase in seed germination energy and germination compared to the control and sorting of seeds at an air speed of 5.6 m/sec and 7.49 m/sec, and waste losses in waste increased by 28.0%. Conclusions. Separation of switchgrass seeds of different years of vegetation, collected from panicles of different tiers and maturation dates provided a significant increase in its germination energy and germination and can be introduced into production but it does not completely solve the problem of reducing the biological dormancy of seeds.

Theoretical and applied aspects of the use of agricultural and forest meliorative plantations of Ukraine for energy purposes

Protective forest plantations are an important part of forest-agricultural landscapes and one of the most effective long-term and relatively inexpensive measures to combat wind and water soil erosion. They have a positive effect on the microclimate of the surrounding areas and can significantly increase crop yields. Also, under certain conditions, they can become an important source of bioenergy feedstock. Goal. Development of theoretical bases and practical measures of the use of agroforestry reclamation plantations of Ukraine for energy purposes. Methods. In the course of the research it was envisaged to develop schemes of protective forest plantations on the basis of the analysis of the existing information, long-term production and scientific experience which, at full performance of ecological functions, can be used for obtaining bioenergy feedstock. Results. It is established that for the simultaneous use of protective forest plantations as a source of energy biomass it is necessary to include fast-growing woody plants (willow, poplar, acacia, maple, etc.) in rows or backstage, which are expected to be periodically cut for biomass. Such plants are then intensively restored by growth from stumps. The basis of such plantations for long-term and permanent performance of their protective functions should mainly consists of the rows of oak trees. Conclusions. Protective forest plantations, in addition to the positive impact on the microclimate of the environment and a significant increase in the productivity of agricultural land, can also play an important role as a source of bioenergy feedstock. Today, forest protection plantations are losing their functions for various reasons and need to be reconstructed. At the same time, along with the restoration of protective plantations, it will be possible to obtain about 54.6 million tons of wood for energy needs and form new protective plantations, which, along with improving the ecological environment, will create a reliable feedstock base for bioenergy. The schemes presented in the article can be applied at the stage of restoration and expansion of the field protection system to increase their energy role.

Advanced technology of growing fodder beet seeds in the Central Forest Steppe of Ukraine

Goal. To improve the technology of growing fodder beets in the Central Forest-Steppe of Ukraine based on the study of agro-climatic indicators, patterns of plant growth and development. Methods. Laboratory and field, analytical, statistical. Results. The article is devoted to the theoretical and experimental substantiation of the parameters of the advanced technology of growing fodder beet seeds by spring sowing under the cover of corn. With this technology, seed bearing plants acquire new biological characteristics: before the onset of stable cooling, slightly larger woody roots with a high content of dry matter (20–22%) and sugar (16–17%) are formed with a well-developed leaf apparatus; due to the remaining stubble after harvesting cover crops (corn) increases the safety of plants in winter, which over the years of research was 89–96%, which provided a plant stand density at harvest of 177–180 thousand/ha, seed yield of 1.6–2.2 t/ha with a germination of 90–94%. Production testing of advanced technology has fully confirmed the field research. On average for two years the seed yield was 1.9 t/ha (control 1.5 t/ha), its cost decreased by 2.3 times compared to the control, the profit from the sale of seeds amounted to 7963 UAH/ha (control 2337 UAH/ha). The total profit on advanced technology, including due to the profit from the green mass of corn, amounted to 9133 UAH/ha, which is 3.9 times higher than in the control. Conclusions. In the Central Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, it is expedient to grow fodder beet seeds according to an advanced technology, which stipulates row spacing of 60 cm, seeding rate of beet seeds per 1 m of a row 50–60 and corn 8–12; 2) harvesting corn before wintering at the time recommended for this area and depending on the purpose of use; 3) at the onset of stable cooling — hilling plants with simultaneous feeding (N40–50 P60–90 K30–50 kg/ha etc.) with paws-hillers of row cultivators (УСМК‑5.4Б, КОЗР‑5.4, etc.); 4) after overwintering — local application of nitrogen fertilizers (N80–120 kg/ha, etc.) + harrowing with heavy or medium harrows across the rows or diagonally; 5) in the stage of a well-developed rosette — application of inter-row (local) nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers (N20–30, P40–60 kg/ha, etc.) using МТЗ‑1025+УСМК‑5.4Б (КРН 56–02); 6) in the stage of mass stalking — removing of top foliage using МТЗ‑1025+КС‑2,1; 7) during flowering — two or three additional pollination.

Stratification as a way to increase germination of switchgrass seeds (Panicum virgatum L.)

Introduction. There is a practical interest in biofuels production from bioomass of perennial cereal grasses such as switchgrass, which is characterized by relatively high yields, low water and fertilization demand, reliable productivity in a wide geographical area, reduced soil erosion, carbon sequestration and improved wildlife habitat. The crop is propagated mainly by seeds, which is characterized by a long dormancy period, which leads to low field germination and uneven germination. Methods. Laboratory, visual, measuring and weighing, mathematical and statistical. Results. The main restraining factor in switchgrass widespread introduction into production and one of the ways to reduce the biological state of rest is stratification. Therefore, the aim of the research was to investigate the influence of seed stratification on the seed vigour and germination depending on the switchgrass varietal characteristics. The article presents the results of research on the seed stratification influence on its vigor and germination depending on varietal characteristics in order to reduce the biological dormancy of seeds and significantly increase germination. Determination of the response of different genotypes to stratification, the effect of low temperature on seed germination was carried out using seeds of four varieties of different groups of maturity: American origin varieties Foresburg — early, Cavein-rock — mid-late, Alamo — late and Ukrainian origin Morozko — midlate. Stratification, i. e. cooling seeds for 7 days at a temperature of 10◦C and germination at a temperature of 20◦C provided a significant increase in seed vigour and seed germination of all studied varieties. On average, the germination energy increased by 5% and germination by 4%. Seeds stratification differently affected seeds quality depending on varietal characteristics, while no natural changes in the seed quality by maturity groups were observed. It was found that stratification had a greater impact on germination energy, with the share of impact being 20%. Conclusions. Stratification provided a significant increase in seed vigour and germination in all studied varieties. On average, seed vigour increased by 5% and germination by 4%. But this measure does not provide a complete solution to reduce the biological state of seed dormancy.