Agronomic performance of the lignocellulosic feedstock crop energy cane in the Texas Rolling Plains

Abstract

AbstractFeedstock genetics and environment are important factors determining biomass yield of biofuel crops. Field studies were conducted to evaluate agronomic performance of four energy cane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) genotypes (TUS11‐62, TUS11‐58, TCP10‐4928, and Ho 02‐113) in the Texas Rolling Plains. In the first study, cane billets were planted in 2015 and data were collected from first (2016) and second (2017) ratoons. A second study was planted in 2016 and data were collected the same year from plant cane. Data collected include biomass, stalk height, stalk population, leaf area index (LAI), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Biomass yield of ratoons was not significantly different (p > .05) among genotypes. However, TUS11‐58 had the highest plant cane yield. The average biomass yield of plant cane, first, and second ratoons were 20.2, 40.4, and 26.4 t ha−1 respectively. Longer growing period of ratoon (∼8 mo) compared to plant cane (∼5.5 mo) increased biomass. However, low temperatures (−14 to −16 °C) during the dormant phase resulted in lower yield of the second ratoon. Among genotypes, TUS11‐62 had taller stalks, but was cold sensitive. Genotype TCP10‐4928 had higher stalk population and LAI. An exponential relationship was observed between LAI and NDVI (R2 = .67). Overall, there were differences in growth characteristics of energy cane genotypes, however biomass yield was similar in the ratoon phase. The results of this study showed that low temperature tolerance and growing season duration are key factors in determining biomass yield in higher latitude regions such as the Texas Rolling Plains.