Computing the biomass potentials for maize and two alternative energy crops, triticale and cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.), with the crop model BioSTAR in the region of Hannover (Germany).

Roland Bauböck,Martin Kappas,Marianne Karpenstein-Machan

doi:10.1186/s12302-014-0019-0

Roland Bauböck, Martin Kappas + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-014-0019-0

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Abstract

BackgroundLower Saxony (Germany) has the highest installed electric capacity from biogas in Germany. Most of this electricity is generated with maize. Reasons for this are the high yields and the economic incentive. In parts of Lower Saxony, an expansion of maize cultivation has led to ecological problems and a negative image of bioenergy as such. Winter triticale and cup plant have both shown their suitability as alternative energy crops for biogas production and could help to reduce maize cultivation.ResultsThe model Biomass Simulation Tool for Agricultural Resources (BioSTAR) has been validated with observed yield data from the region of Hannover for the cultures maize and winter wheat. Predicted yields for the cultures show satisfactory error values of 9.36% (maize) and 11.5% (winter wheat). Correlations with observed data are significant (P < 0.01) with R = 0.75 for maize and 0.6 for winter wheat. Biomass potential calculations for triticale and cup plant have shown both crops to be high yielding and a promising alternative to maize in the region of Hanover and other places in Lower Saxony.ConclusionsThe model BioSTAR simulated yields for maize and winter wheat in the region of Hannover at a good overall level of accuracy (combined error 10.4%). Due to input data aggregation, individual years show high errors though (up to 30%). Nevertheless, the BioSTAR crop model has proven to be a functioning tool for the prediction of agricultural biomass potentials under varying environmental and crop management frame conditions.

Highlights

Lower Saxony (Germany) has the highest installed electric capacity from biogas in Germany
The generated biomass yields have been compared with statistical yield data, and a correction factor was deduced from this comparison
The biomass yields for triticale and cup plant have been calculated with the model, and the generated yields for maize, triticale and cup plant have been connected to a geographical information system (GIS)-soil map of the region to visualize the spatial distribution of the biomass potentials for the three cultures

Summary

Introduction

Lower Saxony (Germany) has the highest installed electric capacity from biogas in Germany. Current state biogas production Bioenergy from agricultural substrates (plant material and manure) has become an important input to the renewable energy mix in Germany [1] in Lower Saxony [2]. Lower Saxony is the most important agricultural state in Germany [3], with the highest installed electric capacity from biogas [4]. As a result of this strong expansion of the maize share in the crop mix on agricultural land (some of the expansion was generated by turning pasture into cropland or by using low-yielding lands which had been used as fallow and to some degree for nature conservation), criticism against a further expansion of bioenergy crop production and against existing biogas (methane) facilities arose. The main points of concern with regard to the strong expansion of the maize production are as follows [8]: 1. A reduction of biodiversity (in species related to crops and crop rotations)

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