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Article
Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Biomass Yield and Quality in Large Fields of Established Switchgrass in Southern Iowa, USA
Biomass and Bioenergy
  • Roque Lemus, Texas A & M University - Commerce
  • E. Charles Brummer, University of Georgia
  • C. Lee Burras, Iowa State University
  • Kenneth J. Moore, Iowa State University
  • Michael F. Barker, Iowa State University
  • Neil E. Molstad, United States Department of Agriculture
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
12-1-2008
DOI
10.1016/j.biombioe.2008.02.016
Abstract

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a potential biofuel crop in the midwestern United States. The objective of this experiment was to test the effect of nitrogen application on biomass dry matter yield and fiber and mineral concentrations in large field plots in Lucas and Wayne counties in southern Iowa. Two established switchgrass fields with a previous history of limited management were evaluated from 1998 through 2002. Nitrogen was applied in the spring at rates of 0, 56, 112, and 224 kg N ha−1, and a single biomass harvest was made in autumn. Biomass production averaged across locations and N levels increased by 3.6 mg ha−1 between 1998 and 2002 to 6.5 mg ha−1. Nitrogen improved yields, with the response declining as N levels increased. The highest yield throughout the experiment was 8.5 mg ha−1 at the Lucas location in 2002. Changes in fiber and mineral concentrations did not follow any trend over years but were likely due to differences in harvest date among years. Nitrogen fertilization had no meaningful effect on the quality of the biofuel produced. This study clearly shows that nitrogen application and proper agronomic management can substantially increase the yield of established switchgrass fields over time without affecting the quality of the feedstock. As this experiment was conducted in large plots using commercial farm machinery, the results should be broadly applicable to real world situations.

Comments

This article is from Biomass and Bioenergy 32 (2008): 1187, doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2008.02.016.

Rights
Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Roque Lemus, E. Charles Brummer, C. Lee Burras, Kenneth J. Moore, et al.. "Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Biomass Yield and Quality in Large Fields of Established Switchgrass in Southern Iowa, USA" Biomass and Bioenergy Vol. 32 Iss. 12 (2008) p. 1187 - 1194
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/c_burras/23/