Abstract
Current global temperature increases resulting from human activity threaten many ecosystems and societies, and have led to international and national policy commitments that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bioenergy crops provide one means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy production and two novel crops that could be used for this purpose are Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby and Silphium perfoliatum L. This research examined the existing scientific literature available on both crops through a systematic review. The data were collated according to the agronomy, uses, and environmental benefits of each crop. Possible challenges were associated with high initial planting costs, low yields in low rainfall areas, and for Sida hermaphrodita, vulnerability to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. However, under appropriate environmental conditions, both crops were found to provide large yields over sustained periods of time with relatively low levels of management and could be used to produce large energy surpluses, either through direct combustion or biogas production. Other potential uses included fodder, fibre, and pharmaceutical uses. Environmental benefits included the potential for phytoremediation, and improvements to soil health, biodiversity, and pollination. The review also demonstrated that environmental benefits, such as pollination, soil health, and water quality benefits could be obtained from the use of Sida hermaphrodita and Silphium perfoliatum relative to existing bioenergy crops such as maize, whilst at the same time reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. Future research should examine the long-term implications of using Sida hermaphrodita and Silphium perfoliatum as well as improve knowledge on how to integrate them successfully within existing farming systems and supply chains.
Highlights
Governments from across the world committed themselves, in Paris in 2016, to restrict the mean rise in global temperature to no more than 1.5–2 ◦C above pre-industrial levels
The research highlighted the potential utility of S. hermaphrodita and S. perfoliatum within farming systems
Collating this information in one place should help advisors and farmers who are interested in growing the crop in other regions, not just in Europe, but elsewhere
Summary
Governments from across the world committed themselves, in Paris in 2016, to restrict the mean rise in global temperature to no more than 1.5–2 ◦C above pre-industrial levels. In Europe in 2017, about 59% of renewable energy was provided from bioenergy, and globally about 10% of this is derived from agriculture [2]. Important bioenergy crops in Europe include maize (Zea mays L.) to produce biogas and bioethanol, and short rotation coppice [3] and Miscanthus [4] for the production of solid biofuel. Disadvantages in the use of Miscanthus include problems of corrosion and slagging associated with its combustion. For these reasons, there is interest in perennial herbaceous crops that (i) do not require annual planting and can be harvested over many years successively, (ii) can be harvested using existing farm equipment, and (iii) can enhance biodiversity at a field- and farm-level. Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby ( known as Virginia fanpetals or Virginia mallow) and Silphium perfoliatum L. (known as cup plant) could fulfil all three of these criteria
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