Abstract
Brazilian semi-arid soils can be dystrophic and often occur in areas with high agricultural potential. Gypsum application improves chemical and physical soil conditions, favoring root system development of plants and can improve sugarcane production for energy production, as a strategy for sustainable development, avoiding native vegetation destruction in semi-arid regions. This study aimed to analyze the impact of gypsum application on the agro-energy potential of three sugarcane varieties, through MS production, moisture, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, ash and gross calorific value (GCV). The experimental design consisted of 3 (varieties) x 2 (with and without gypsum) over two sugarcane growing periods in a completely randomized block design with four replications. The application of gypsum did not affect the tested agro-energy variables. GCV ranged around 17 MJ kg-1, confirming the suitability of the varieties for bioenergy use in semi-arid regions, but there were no significant differences between sugarcane varieties. Key words: Bioenergy, Saccharum spp, gross calorific value, oxisoils; soil amendments.
Highlights
The search for more efficient, sustainable and renewable energy production has led to global interest in energy from biomass (Katinas et al, 2007; Liu et al, 2013; Scarlat et al, 2013; Sajdak et al, 2014; Pérez et al., 2014)
This study aimed to analyze the impact of gypsum application on the agro-energy potential of three sugarcane varieties, through MS production, moisture, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, ash and gross calorific value (GCV)
This study aimed to analyze the impact of gypsum application on agro-energy potential of three sugarcane varieties, through production of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin and ash as well as moisture content and gross calorific value
Summary
The search for more efficient, sustainable and renewable energy production has led to global interest in energy from biomass (Katinas et al, 2007; Liu et al, 2013; Scarlat et al, 2013; Sajdak et al, 2014; Pérez et al., 2014). To minimize effects of this devastation, studies have been performed to improve the production of biomass for energy generation, to assure the survival and volume of exotic and native species (Barros et al, 2010) and increase volumetric efficiency and energy of eucalyptus clones (Gadelha et al, 2012). Confirmation of the suitability of material for the production of biomass energy depends on the study of fiber, lignin and moisture content and calorific value (Vale et al, 2000), whose levels can vary within species, age, part of plant and/or interferences caused by cultivation practices (Decruyenaere et al, 2009)
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