Biodegradability of quinoa stalks: The potential of quinoa stalks as a forage source or as biomass for energy production

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the potential of quinoa stalks, left as waste in the fields after harvest, to be converted into roughage for animal feed or as biomass for energy production. The quinoa stalks were harvested from cultivated fields in Şanlıurfa, Turkey, and the biochemical and thermochemical potential conversion of the quinoa stalks to forage feed or biomass was then determined.A chemical and basic element analysis of the quinoa stalks was carried out. In terms of animal feeding potential that involved the in vitro digestibility and metabolizable energy value. In terms of biomass potential, the syngas values and other gases: estimated methane (CH4), biodegradability, total biogas production value and higher heating value, were also all determined.According to ADL DM% analysis value (46.49 ± 0.97) and calculated relative feed value (RFV, 71.09) results showed that quinoa stalks have a very poor potential as forage and cannot be regarded as roughage. However, with an energy value of 18.27 MJ/kg was determined that quinoa stalks could be used as an energy producing plant.