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Agronomy
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Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects
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Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Innovative Cropping Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2020) | Viewed by 60163

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Nicolai David Jablonowski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Forschungszentrum Jülich, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-2: Plant Sciences, 52425 Jülich, Germany
Interests: perennial energy crops; biomass production; bioenergy and biogenic energy sources; biogenic residues; soil fertility and amelioration; marginal soils; alternative fertilizers; recycling-/residues-derived fertilizers; plant-soil interactions; circular bioeconomy; nutrient loops and nutrient recycling for sustainable plant biomass production
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Silvia Diane Schrey

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Forschungszentrum Jülich, Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, IBG-2: Plant Sciences, Jülich, Germany
Interests: plant-soil feedback; plant-soil interaction; plant nutrition; soil microbiology; plant-microbe interaction; Marginal soils; alternative biomass; perennial plants

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In terms of a growing bioeconomy, plant biomass is attracting increasing attention also for applications other than energy generation, e.g., biorefinery applications.

Traditional energy crop cultivation competes with food and feed production causing land use conflicts and thus needs to be adapted to alternative plant resources and cropping systems.

The production of plant biomass for energy production has to be sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly in order to facilitate the shift from a fossil-based to a bio-based economy.

Many energy crops have been intensively investigated, while others may still have unleashed potential, particularly in interdisciplinary approaches beyond traditional cultivation and processing methods. This also implies the utilization of abandoned land and marginal soils. Improving the conditions of such soils by incorporating biogenic residues, thereby enriching the substrate with organic carbon and plant nutrients, allows for the subsequent cultivation of crops in a sustainable manner. Also, the establishment and presence of a potentially plant-promoting soil microflora may be pivotal for successful energy crop cultivation in terms of nutrient acquisition, drought, and pest tolerance.

The establishment of perennial energy plants, in particular, in nutrient-poor, marginal soils is of interest to reduce the overall environmental footprint of their cultivation, which is notably high in annual monoculture energy crops. Further, to get a better estimate of plant biomass regarding its overall impact from cultivation to product, value chain analysis as well as socio-economic and life cycle assessments are crucial for a better estimate of its sustainability compared to fossil resources.

We are looking forward to receiving your contributions on the broad topic of this Special Issue on “Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects”. We welcome original research articles as well as review articles addressing, but not exclusively, the following topics:

  • Current challenges and obstacles in biomass cultivation, harvest and processing and its overall improvement, as well as techniques and technologies.
  • Use and amelioration of non- or underutilized areas like marginal soils, mining areas, and abandoned/set-aside land.
  • Investigations on soil microflora in terms of improved energy crop cultivation and biomass yield.
  • Biomass production, biodiversity, sustainability, and ecological feasibility employing mixed-cropping systems.
  • Organic residues and waste (water) treatment employing plants, also including macro and microalgae, combining both nutrient recovery and biomass production.
  • Extraction and usage of plant compounds in terms of a bioeconomic cascade utilization to increase the value of crops prior to energy generation.
  • Value chain analysis, as well as socio-economic and life cycle assessments of energy crops and their application for energy production.

Dr. Nicolai David Jablonowski
Dr. Silvia Diane Schrey
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Perennial bioenergy crops
  • Biomass production
  • Biogenic residues
  • Nutrient recovery and recycling
  • Marginal soil
  • Soil amelioration
  • Soil microbiology
  • Plant-soil-microbe interaction
  • Mixed cropping systems
  • Sustainability
  • Biodiversity
  • Value chain analysis
  • Life cycle assessment

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

4 pages, 198 KiB  
Editorial
Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects
by Nicolai David Jablonowski and Silvia Diane Schrey
Agronomy 2021, 11(2), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11020316 - 11 Feb 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2397
Abstract
Biomass always played a crucial role as an energy source during the evolution of humankind and our technical development [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

21 pages, 5876 KiB  
Article
Mixed Cropping as Affected by Phosphorus and Water Supply
by Bettina Eichler-Löbermann, Stefanie Busch, Nicolai David Jablonowski, Mareike Kavka and Christine Brandt
Agronomy 2020, 10(10), 1506; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10101506 - 03 Oct 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2775
Abstract
In a future exposed to threats of climate change, sustainable biomass production will be crucial. Maize (Zea mays) and sorghum (Sorghum sp.) are important crops for human and animal nutrition, as well as for bioenergy. The aim of this study [...] Read more.
In a future exposed to threats of climate change, sustainable biomass production will be crucial. Maize (Zea mays) and sorghum (Sorghum sp.) are important crops for human and animal nutrition, as well as for bioenergy. The aim of this study was to investigate maize and sorghum in mixed cropping with soybean (Glycine max) and faba bean (Vicia faba) regarding biomass yield, drought tolerance, phosphorus (P) availability, and enzyme activity in soil as affected by the single and combined effects of water and P supply in two outdoor pot trials with rainout shelters. Maize had the highest biomass under sufficient water supply (80% water holding capacity, WHC), but a sharp decrease of its biomass of about 60% was measured when water was limited (30% WHC). In the mixtures, drought induced reduction of biomass was less than 40%. For mixed cropping usually higher contents of labile P fractions in soil than for sole cropped monocots were found. This was especially true for the combined stress of water and P deficit and can be partly explained by a higher activity of the acid phosphatase in the soil of the mixtures. A higher yield stability of the crop mixtures makes them a suitable agronomic alternative to sole cropped maize or sorghum under suboptimal conditions of water and P shortage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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21 pages, 6902 KiB  
Article
Yields, Calorific Value and Chemical Properties of Cup Plant Silphium perfoliatum L. Biomass, Depending on the Method of Establishing the Plantation
by Marek Bury, Ewa Możdżer, Teodor Kitczak, Hanna Siwek and Małgorzata Włodarczyk
Agronomy 2020, 10(6), 851; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10060851 - 15 Jun 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2728
Abstract
Silphium perfoliatum L. (Silphium) is one of the most promising perennial herbaceous plants, mainly due to its high biomass yield and multiple uses. It can be grown as a fodder, ornamentally, for energy (mainly as a biogas source), and as a [...] Read more.
Silphium perfoliatum L. (Silphium) is one of the most promising perennial herbaceous plants, mainly due to its high biomass yield and multiple uses. It can be grown as a fodder, ornamentally, for energy (mainly as a biogas source), and as a honey crop (source of nectar and pollen for pollinators). Despite the considerable qualities of this crop, the Silphium cultivation area in Europe is small. The main limiting factors are the significant costs of plantation establishment and the lack of biomass yield in the first year of cultivation. Considering these aspects, research was undertaken at the Agricultural Experimental Station Lipnik of West Pomeranian University of Technology Szczecin, to assess two methods of establishing a plantation: generative, by sowing seeds (seeds); and vegetative, by transplanting seedlings grown from seeds (planting), on the yield and quality of Silphium biomass attended for combustion and its heating value and chemical composition. In 2016–2019, annual aboveground biomass was harvested after the end of vegetation to obtain the raw material for combustion. The collected dry mass yield (DMY) of Silphium significantly differed between the years and methods of establishing the plantation. The biomass yields increased in the first two years of full vegetation from 9.3 to 18.1 Mg∙ha−1·yr−1, and then decreased in the third year of vegetation to ca. 13 Mg∙ha−1·yr−1 because of drought. Significantly higher DMY was obtained by sowing seeds (ca. 13.9 Mg∙ha−1·yr−1) compared to the planting method (ca. 13.0 Mg∙ha−1·yr−1), due to the higher plant density obtained after the sowing method compared to the planting method. The calorific value in the third year was the highest and amounted to ca. 17.8 MJ·kg−1 DM. The paper also presents changes in soil chemical properties before and after four years of Silphium cultivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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17 pages, 3166 KiB  
Article
Challenges and Prospects of Biogas from Energy Cane as Supplement to Bioethanol Production
by Kevin Hoffstadt, Gino D. Pohen, Max D. Dicke, Svea Paulsen, Simone Krafft, Joachim W. Zang, Warde A. da Fonseca-Zang, Athaydes Leite and Isabel Kuperjans
Agronomy 2020, 10(6), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10060821 - 09 Jun 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3971
Abstract
Innovative breeds of sugar cane yield up to 2.5 times as much organic matter as conventional breeds, resulting in a great potential for biogas production. The use of biogas production as a complementary solution to conventional and second-generation ethanol production in Brazil may [...] Read more.
Innovative breeds of sugar cane yield up to 2.5 times as much organic matter as conventional breeds, resulting in a great potential for biogas production. The use of biogas production as a complementary solution to conventional and second-generation ethanol production in Brazil may increase the energy produced per hectare in the sugarcane sector. Herein, it was demonstrated that through ensiling, energy cane can be conserved for six months; the stored cane can then be fed into a continuous biogas process. This approach is necessary to achieve year-round biogas production at an industrial scale. Batch tests revealed specific biogas potentials between 400 and 600 LN/kgVS for both the ensiled and non-ensiled energy cane, and the specific biogas potential of a continuous biogas process fed with ensiled energy cane was in the same range. Peak biogas losses through ensiling of up to 27% after six months were observed. Finally, compared with second-generation ethanol production using energy cane, the results indicated that biogas production from energy cane may lead to higher energy yields per hectare, with an average energy yield of up to 162 MWh/ha. Finally, the Farm2CBG concept is introduced, showing an approach for decentralized biogas production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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12 pages, 536 KiB  
Communication
Nutrient Loaded Biochar Doubled Biomass Production in Juvenile Maize Plants (Zea mays L.)
by Charlotte C. Dietrich, Md Arifur Rahaman, Ana A. Robles-Aguilar, Sajid Latif, Kiatkamjon Intani, Joachim Müller and Nicolai D. Jablonowski
Agronomy 2020, 10(4), 567; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10040567 - 15 Apr 2020
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4462
Abstract
Biochars have long been associated with elevating plant productivity. An increasing number of studies, however, report that char application might also impair plant nutrient availability and reduce yields. In particular, char accompanying compounds as well as a hypothesized immobilization of nitrogen have been [...] Read more.
Biochars have long been associated with elevating plant productivity. An increasing number of studies, however, report that char application might also impair plant nutrient availability and reduce yields. In particular, char accompanying compounds as well as a hypothesized immobilization of nitrogen have been identified as playing a significant role in possibly diminishing plant productivity following char application. Herein, we tested the fertilizing effects of modified biochars in order to derive knowledge required to develop tailor-made chars, which predictably affect plant nutrition. Slow-pyrolysis maize cob biochar was modified by washing with either ethanol or hydrochloric acid to remove ash and organic compounds or by loading it with nutrient-rich residues in the form of digestate from the bioenergy sector. Maize plants were grown for 35 days on biochar-amended sand. We analyzed both substrate properties (pH, total carbon, and nitrogen, available magnesium and potassium) and plant functional traits (biomass, leaf area, root to shoot ratio, specific leaf area). Our results suggest that total plant biomass production remained unaffected by the application of biochar and its washed forms. Contrastingly, nutrient-loaded biochar induced a significant increase in productivity at similar nutrient levels due to improved plant nutrient uptake. Further research is required to understand the role of biochar modifications that facilitated improvements in plant productivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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21 pages, 316 KiB  
Article
Productivity, Energy and Economic Balance in the Production of Different Cultivars of Winter Oilseed Rape. A Case Study in North-Eastern Poland
by Mateusz Sokólski, Krzysztof Józef Jankowski, Dariusz Załuski and Artur Szatkowski
Agronomy 2020, 10(4), 508; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10040508 - 02 Apr 2020
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2710
Abstract
In this study, the agricultural inputs, energy requirements and costs associated with the production of semi-dwarf (PR45 D03 and Avenir) and long-stem (Visby) cultivars of winter oilseed rape were optimized in an experiment with 35-1 fractional factorial design. A field experiment was [...] Read more.
In this study, the agricultural inputs, energy requirements and costs associated with the production of semi-dwarf (PR45 D03 and Avenir) and long-stem (Visby) cultivars of winter oilseed rape were optimized in an experiment with 35-1 fractional factorial design. A field experiment was carried out in the Agricultural Experiment Station in Bałcyny (north-eastern Poland) in 2008–2011. The study investigated the responses of two morphotypes of hybrid cultivars of winter oilseed rape to key yield-forming factors (seeding date, seeding rate, nitrogen fertilization) and yield protection factors (fungal disease control). Agronomic inputs were tested at three levels. Our findings indicate that production technologies (characterized by a different intensity of agricultural inputs) should target the specific requirements of winter oilseed rape cultivars. Semi-dwarf cultivars of winter oilseed rape (PR45 D03 and Avenir) were characterized by higher yield potential at different input levels than the long-stem cultivar (Visby). Semi-dwarf cultivars required higher levels of agricultural inputs than the long-stem cultivar. Semi-dwarf cultivars grown in high-input technologies were characterized by the highest energy efficiency ratio. In contrast, the long-stem cultivar was characterized by the optimal energy input-energy output ratio in the low-input technology. Regardless of cultivar, high-input production technologies were more profitable because the resulting increase in seed yield significantly outweighed the rise in production costs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects)
22 pages, 3186 KiB  
Article
Comparison of the Effect of Perennial Energy Crops and Agricultural Crops on Weed Flora Diversity
by Beata Feledyn-Szewczyk, Mariusz Matyka and Mariola Staniak
Agronomy 2019, 9(11), 695; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9110695 - 30 Oct 2019
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3198
Abstract
The cultivation of perennial energy crops is a new agricultural system and so there is limited information available on its effects on biodiversity. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the cultivation of energy crops on the diversity of [...] Read more.
The cultivation of perennial energy crops is a new agricultural system and so there is limited information available on its effects on biodiversity. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the cultivation of energy crops on the diversity of weed flora and to compare this diversity with that found in crop production systems on arable land. The best habitats for weed flora were created by willow (Salix viminalis), poplar (Populus sp.), false acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), and perennial grasses (25–30 species), with the exception of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) (20 species). The lowest diversity and abundance of weed flora were observed on plantations of Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita) and Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus). Weed communities in energy crops included more perennial species (by 11%), ruderal species (by 10%), and those typical for grassland (by 7%) and forests (by 4%), in comparison to arable land. The plantations of energy plants promoted an increase in the density of the invasive species Solidago gigantea (from 1.9 to 6.3 plants m−2 over six years). The introduction of perennial energy crops into an agricultural landscape causes quantitative and qualitative changes in weed flora communities and, therefore, control of the spread of some non-native and invasive species is needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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15 pages, 669 KiB  
Article
Maize Silage Digestate Application Affecting Germination and Early Growth of Maize Modulated by Soil Type
by Ana A. Robles-Aguilar, Vicky M. Temperton and Nicolai D. Jablonowski
Agronomy 2019, 9(8), 473; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9080473 - 20 Aug 2019
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4244
Abstract
During biogas production anaerobic digestion of plant material produces a nutrient-rich residue called digestate. The application of the nutrients present in the digestate should improve soil fertility, particularly in nutrient poor soils, and thus crop yield, promoting the closure of the nutrient cycle. [...] Read more.
During biogas production anaerobic digestion of plant material produces a nutrient-rich residue called digestate. The application of the nutrients present in the digestate should improve soil fertility, particularly in nutrient poor soils, and thus crop yield, promoting the closure of the nutrient cycle. This study evaluated the effect of digestate application on the germination and early stages of plant development since these are the first steps to be considered when studying the benefits on plant growth in low fertility substrates. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of three substrates of different texture and fertility (field loam, field sand, sand), as well as type and amount of fertilizer (pure maize digestate vs. inorganic nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium (NPK) fertilizer) on both germination and early plant performance of maize (Zea mays L. subsp. mays). While digestate and NPK fertilizer applications had no significant effect on germination in the two field soils, digestate applications significantly decreased the germination rate in sand (36–82% reduction) due to an increase of surface water repellency. In contrast, for aboveground biomass yield, the most positive fertilization effects of digestate application were found on sand (up to 3.5 times the biomass of the unamended control) followed by field sand (1.5 times), compared to no effect for field loam. Our findings suggest that digestate application have positive fertilization effects in low-fertility substrates, similar to NPK, even though digestate application may have a negative impact on the permeability in sandy substrates that could interfere with germination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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15 pages, 569 KiB  
Article
The Energy Efficiency of the Production and Conversion of Spring Triticale Grain into Bioethanol
by Hanna Klikocka, Armand Kasztelan, Aneta Zakrzewska, Teresa Wyłupek, Bogdan Szostak and Barbara Skwaryło-Bednarz
Agronomy 2019, 9(8), 423; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9080423 - 01 Aug 2019
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3493
Abstract
According to the assumptions of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD, the share of biofuels in the global transport sector is estimated to reach 15–23% by 2050. The triticale can be used to produce bioethanol. The appropriate production process should generate as [...] Read more.
According to the assumptions of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD, the share of biofuels in the global transport sector is estimated to reach 15–23% by 2050. The triticale can be used to produce bioethanol. The appropriate production process should generate as much renewable energy as possible per production unit. Plant production can be carried out in various tillage systems and using appropriate doses of nitrogen fertilization. The objective of this study is to compare the effect of traditional tillage system (TRD) and reduced (RED) tillage technology and nitrogen fertilizer (0, 40, 80, 120 kg N ha−1) on grain and bioethanol yield of spring triticale. The field experiment was performed in the south east of Poland (50°42′ N, 23°15′ E) on medium dystrophic typical brown soil. Based on research and calculations, the TRD system and between 40 and 80 kg ha−1 of N fertilizer are recommended for use in the cultivation of triticale for bioethanol production purposes. Such a variant will ensure a sufficient yield of grain (5.190 and 5.803 t ha−1), starch (3.462 and 3.871 t ha−1) and bioethanol (2487.3 and 2780.7 L ha−1) and good agronomic efficiency of N fertilizer (16.96 and 12.15 L of bioethanol per 1 kg of nitrogen (N) applied). The best ratio of energy efficiency of bioethanol production (EROI—Energy Return on (Energy) Investment or “net energy”) was recorded for the TRD system (1.138:1) and for the N fertilizer at 40 kg N ha−1 (1.144:1). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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17 pages, 4061 KiB  
Article
How to Generate Yield in the First Year—A Three-Year Experiment on Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus (Greef et Deuter)) Establishment under Maize (Zea mays L.)
by Moritz von Cossel, Anja Mangold, Yasir Iqbal, Jens Hartung, Iris Lewandowski and Andreas Kiesel
Agronomy 2019, 9(5), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9050237 - 09 May 2019
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5156
Abstract
Miscanthus is one of the most promising perennial herbaceous industrial crops worldwide mainly due to its high resource-use efficiency and biomass yield. However, the extent of miscanthus cultivation across Europe is still lagging far behind its real potential. Major limiting factors are high [...] Read more.
Miscanthus is one of the most promising perennial herbaceous industrial crops worldwide mainly due to its high resource-use efficiency and biomass yield. However, the extent of miscanthus cultivation across Europe is still lagging far behind its real potential. Major limiting factors are high initial costs and low biomass yields in the crop establishment period, especially the first year. This study explores the possibility of establishing miscanthus under maize to generate yields from the first year of cultivation onwards. A field trial with mono-cropped maize and two miscanthus establishment procedures, ‘under maize’ (MUM) and ‘standard’ (REF), was established in southwest Germany in 2016. Annual aboveground biomass was harvested in autumn (2016–2018). In 2016 and 2017, the miscanthus dry matter yield (DMY) was significantly lower in MUM than REF. However, the accumulated DMY of miscanthus and maize was as high in MUM as in maize cultivation alone. In 2018, there was no significant difference between the miscanthus DMY of REF (7.86 ± 0.77 Mg ha−1) and MUM (6.21 ± 0.77 Mg ha−1). The accumulated DMY over the three years was 31.7 Mg ha−1 for MUM, of which 10.1 Mg ha−1 were miscanthus-based, compared to 17.7 Mg ha−1 for REF. These results indicate that miscanthus establishment under maize could compensate for its lack of yield in the first year. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research, Other

66 pages, 1080 KiB  
Review
Two Novel Energy Crops: Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby and Silphium perfoliatum L.—State of Knowledge
by Laura Cumplido-Marin, Anil R. Graves, Paul J. Burgess, Christopher Morhart, Pierluigi Paris, Nicolai D. Jablonowski, Gianni Facciotto, Marek Bury, Reent Martens and Michael Nahm
Agronomy 2020, 10(7), 928; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10070928 - 28 Jun 2020
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 6376
Abstract
Current global temperature increases resulting from human activity threaten many ecosystems and societies, and have led to international and national policy commitments that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bioenergy crops provide one means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy production and [...] Read more.
Current global temperature increases resulting from human activity threaten many ecosystems and societies, and have led to international and national policy commitments that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bioenergy crops provide one means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy production and two novel crops that could be used for this purpose are Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby and Silphium perfoliatum L. This research examined the existing scientific literature available on both crops through a systematic review. The data were collated according to the agronomy, uses, and environmental benefits of each crop. Possible challenges were associated with high initial planting costs, low yields in low rainfall areas, and for Sida hermaphrodita, vulnerability to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. However, under appropriate environmental conditions, both crops were found to provide large yields over sustained periods of time with relatively low levels of management and could be used to produce large energy surpluses, either through direct combustion or biogas production. Other potential uses included fodder, fibre, and pharmaceutical uses. Environmental benefits included the potential for phytoremediation, and improvements to soil health, biodiversity, and pollination. The review also demonstrated that environmental benefits, such as pollination, soil health, and water quality benefits could be obtained from the use of Sida hermaphrodita and Silphium perfoliatum relative to existing bioenergy crops such as maize, whilst at the same time reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. Future research should examine the long-term implications of using Sida hermaphrodita and Silphium perfoliatum as well as improve knowledge on how to integrate them successfully within existing farming systems and supply chains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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21 pages, 912 KiB  
Review
Increase of Miscanthus Cultivation with New Roles in Materials Production—A Review
by Lüders Moll, Christian Wever, Georg Völkering and Ralf Pude
Agronomy 2020, 10(2), 308; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10020308 - 21 Feb 2020
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5556
Abstract
Recent changes in the EU green aims can help to overcome economic obstacles in the slow upscaling of Miscanthus cultivation. Using Miscanthus can permanently fix CO 2 within building materials thereby aiding the EU climate goals with the increased use of regrowing materials, [...] Read more.
Recent changes in the EU green aims can help to overcome economic obstacles in the slow upscaling of Miscanthus cultivation. Using Miscanthus can permanently fix CO 2 within building materials thereby aiding the EU climate goals with the increased use of regrowing materials, as well as carbon fixation. Economic obstacles in the slow upscaling of Miscanthus cultivation are targeted by recent changes in the greening aims in the EU. Miscanthus can fulfill a valuable dual function in aiding the EU climate goals by achieving permanent CO 2 fixation within building materials. In contrast to energetic use, persistent applications create stable markets allowing for a reduced risk in the establishment of long term cultured perennial crops. However, the development of different building materials requires an understanding of the combination of the biological and technical aspects. This work presents an overview of the development of the general aspects for the agricultural product Miscanthus and the scientifically reported developments of Miscanthus used as feedstock in polymers, particle boards, and cementitious materials. While the product performance can be evaluated, the understanding of the influence by the input biomass as a main contributor to the product performance needs to be reinforced to be successful with a goal-oriented development of Miscanthus based products. The key feedstock parameters governing the technical performance of the materials are identified and the knowledge gaps are described. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects)
32 pages, 5140 KiB  
Review
Prospects of Bioenergy Cropping Systems for A More Social-Ecologically Sound Bioeconomy
by Moritz Von Cossel, Moritz Wagner, Jan Lask, Elena Magenau, Andrea Bauerle, Viktoria Von Cossel, Kirsten Warrach-Sagi, Berien Elbersen, Igor Staritsky, Michiel Van Eupen, Yasir Iqbal, Nicolai David Jablonowski, Stefan Happe, Ana Luisa Fernando, Danilo Scordia, Salvatore Luciano Cosentino, Volker Wulfmeyer, Iris Lewandowski and Bastian Winkler
Agronomy 2019, 9(10), 605; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy9100605 - 02 Oct 2019
Cited by 104 | Viewed by 8728
Abstract
The growing bioeconomy will require a greater supply of biomass in the future for both bioenergy and bio-based products. Today, many bioenergy cropping systems (BCS) are suboptimal due to either social-ecological threats or technical limitations. In addition, the competition for land between bioenergy-crop [...] Read more.
The growing bioeconomy will require a greater supply of biomass in the future for both bioenergy and bio-based products. Today, many bioenergy cropping systems (BCS) are suboptimal due to either social-ecological threats or technical limitations. In addition, the competition for land between bioenergy-crop cultivation, food-crop cultivation, and biodiversity conservation is expected to increase as a result of both continuous world population growth and expected severe climate change effects. This study investigates how BCS can become more social-ecologically sustainable in future. It brings together expert opinions from the fields of agronomy, economics, meteorology, and geography. Potential solutions to the following five main requirements for a more holistically sustainable supply of biomass are summarized: (i) bioenergy-crop cultivation should provide a beneficial social-ecological contribution, such as an increase in both biodiversity and landscape aesthetics, (ii) bioenergy crops should be cultivated on marginal agricultural land so as not to compete with food-crop production, (iii) BCS need to be resilient in the face of projected severe climate change effects, (iv) BCS should foster rural development and support the vast number of small-scale family farmers, managing about 80% of agricultural land and natural resources globally, and (v) bioenergy-crop cultivation must be planned and implemented systematically, using holistic approaches. Further research activities and policy incentives should not only consider the economic potential of bioenergy-crop cultivation, but also aspects of biodiversity, soil fertility, and climate change adaptation specific to site conditions and the given social context. This will help to adapt existing agricultural systems in a changing world and foster the development of a more social-ecologically sustainable bioeconomy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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6 pages, 211 KiB  
Opinion
Third-Generation Biomass Crops in the New Era of De Novo Domestication
by Christian Wever, David L. Van Tassel and Ralf Pude
Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1322; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091322 - 04 Sep 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3063
Abstract
The emerging bioeconomy will increase the need for plant biomass. We call for a third-generation of bioenergy crops, or biomass crops, to help move society towards a sustainable bioeconomy and global food security. Third-generation biomass crops should be capable of producing both food [...] Read more.
The emerging bioeconomy will increase the need for plant biomass. We call for a third-generation of bioenergy crops, or biomass crops, to help move society towards a sustainable bioeconomy and global food security. Third-generation biomass crops should be capable of producing both food and raw materials. Such flexibility would allow farmers to respond to global markets and buffer global food security. At the same time, third-generation biomass crops need to increase the sustainability of agriculture. To reach such ambitious goals, new biomass crops have to develop de novo from promising perennial wild species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy Crops: Current Status and Future Prospects)
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