Potential Bioenergy Crop Research Articles

The Switchgrass Genome: Tools and Strategies

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a perennial grass species receiving significant focus as a potential bioenergy crop. In the last 5 yr the switchgrass research community has produced a genetic linkage map, an expressed sequence tag (EST) database, a set of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers that are distributed across the 18 linkage groups, 4x sampling of the P. virgatum AP13 genome in 400-bp reads, and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries containing over 200,000 clones. These studies have revealed close collinearity of the switchgrass genome with those of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], rice (Oryza sativa L.), and Brachypodium distachyon (L.) P. Beauv. Switchgrass researchers have also developed several microarray technologies for gene expression studies. Switchgrass genomic resources will accelerate the ability of plant breeders to enhance productivity, pest resistance, and nutritional quality. Because switchgrass is a relative newcomer to the genomics world, many secrets of the switchgrass genome have yet to be revealed. To continue to efficiently explore basic and applied topics in switchgrass, it will be critical to capture and exploit the knowledge of plant geneticists and breeders on the next logical steps in the development and utilization of genomic resources for this species. To this end, the community has established a switchgrass genomics executive committee and work group (http://switchgrassgenomics.org/ [verified 28 Oct. 2011]).

Spatio-temporal uncertainty in Spatial Decision Support Systems: A case study of changing land availability for bioenergy crops in Mozambique

Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSSs) often include models that can be used to assess the impact of possible decisions. These models usually simulate complex spatio-temporal phenomena, with input variables and parameters that are often hard to measure. The resulting model uncertainty is, however, rarely communicated to the user, so that current SDSSs yield clear, but therefore sometimes deceptively precise outputs. Inclusion of uncertainty in SDSSs requires modeling methods to calculate uncertainty and tools to visualize indicators of uncertainty that can be understood by its users, having mostly limited knowledge of spatial statistics. This research makes an important step towards a solution of this issue. It illustrates the construction of the PCRaster Land Use Change model (PLUC) that integrates simulation, uncertainty analysis and visualization. It uses the PCRaster Python framework, which comprises both a spatio-temporal modeling framework and a Monte Carlo analysis framework that together produce stochastic maps, which can be visualized with the Aguila software, included in the PCRaster Python distribution package. This is illustrated by a case study for Mozambique in which it is evaluated where bioenergy crops can be cultivated without endangering nature areas and food production now and in the near future, when population and food intake per capita will increase and thus arable land and pasture areas are likely to expand. It is shown how the uncertainty of the input variables and model parameters effects the model outcomes. Evaluation of spatio-temporal uncertainty patterns has provided new insights in the modeled land use system about, e.g., the shape of concentric rings around cities. In addition, the visualization modes give uncertainty information in an comprehensible way for users without specialist knowledge of statistics, for example by means of confidence intervals for potential bioenergy crop yields. The coupling of spatio-temporal uncertainty analysis to the simulation model is considered a major step forward in the exposure of uncertainty in SDSSs.

Gateway‐compatible vectors for high‐throughput gene functional analysis in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and other monocot species

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a C4 perennial grass and has been identified as a potential bioenergy crop for cellulosic ethanol because of its rapid growth rate, nutrient use efficiency and widespread distribution throughout North America. The improvement of bioenergy feedstocks is needed to make cellulosic ethanol economically feasible, and genetic engineering of switchgrass is a promising approach towards this goal. A crucial component of creating transgenic switchgrass is having the capability of transforming the explants with DNA sequences of interest using vector constructs. However, there are limited options with the monocot plant vectors currently available. With this in mind, a versatile set of Gateway-compatible destination vectors (termed pANIC) was constructed to be used in monocot plants for transgenic crop improvement. The pANIC vectors can be used for transgene overexpression or RNAi-mediated gene suppression. The pANIC vector set includes vectors that can be utilized for particle bombardment or Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. All the vectors contain (i) a Gateway cassette for overexpression or silencing of the target sequence, (ii) a plant selection cassette and (iii) a visual reporter cassette. The pANIC vector set was functionally validated in switchgrass and rice and allows for high-throughput screening of sequences of interest in other monocot species as well.

Reed canary grass biomass yield and energy use efficiency in Northern European pedoclimatic conditions

Reed canary grass is a potential bio-energy crop in Northern Europe. As plantation biomass production depends on local pedoclimatic conditions, it is important to evaluate yield in the context of soil-specific characteristics. The current study used regression models to evaluate reed canary grass yield variability in the context of soil nitrogen (N) content and in applied mineral N fertilisers. Reed canary grass bio-energy potential was evaluated in a soil-specific manner to calculate the production and energy use efficiency. Soils with low N content produce yields of almost 1 Mg ha −1 in years with unsuitable weather conditions for plant growth. The average dry matter yield of 6–7 Mg ha −1 is achievable within limited years on soils with N contents of more than 0.6%. Fertilisation increases the yield and decreases yield variability in humus-poor soils, but on soils with high N content, production risks increase with increasing N fertiliser applications. Energy use efficiency decreases with increasing input on Histosols; increasing the input from 6 to 31 GJ ha −1 results in energy use efficiency decreasing from 9 to 2 GJ GJ −1 . As a consequence of energy use efficiency, a diminishing return occurs on Haplic Albeluvisol, as optimum efficiency peaks at 5.2 GJ GJ −1 using 198 kg N ha −1 . The current study integrated the developed models in the soil Geographic Information System and calculated the energy use efficiency of selected areas. This approach enables researchers to evaluate production risks in the region and provides a framework for knowledge-based bio-energy production. ► We modelled RCG yield probability dependent on soil total N content and mineral N fertilisation. ► N fertilisation efficiency decreases with increasing soil N content. ► N fertilisation decreases production risks on nitrogen-poor soils. ► Energy use efficiency and net energy yield are dependent on soil type. ► We performed site-specific RCG yield analysis using a geographic information system.

OOS 38: Ecological Dimensions of Biofuel Production

OOS 38: Ecological Dimensions of Biofuel Production

Digesting the indigestible: Biosynthesis of the plant secondary wall

Biofuels have recently been the subject of intense debate with regard to‘food versus fuel’. Consequently, attention has focused upon so-called ‘second-generation’ biofuels that use alternatives to food-based feedstocks. In the best-developed forms of second-generation biofuels, sugars from starch digestion could be replaced with sugars released from the plant cell walls. This biomass could come from either agricultural residue, such as part of the maize culm, or from purpose grown biofuel crops, such as Miscanthus or Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), that generate huge yields even when grown on marginal land with minimal agricultural inputs. For these and other potential bioenergy crops such as trees, the majority of the plant biomass is composed of woody secondary cell walls. If all cell wall sugars were readily accessible to fermenting micro-organisms, a 5 kg log could theoretically produce up to 2.5 litres of ethanol. The secondary cell walls are frequently the first line of defence against pests and pathogens, as well as providing structure and support for upward plant growth (Figure 1). Consequently, by their very nature, secondary cell walls are designed for strength and to resist degradation. The compact organization of the wall makes its digestion, a process known as saccharification, very difficult so biomass is currently too costly to be a viable feedstock. Knowledge of how the walls are constructed, however, would allow us to efficiently deconstruct them. This article gives an overview of secondary walls and potential modifications expected to be beneficial to improved biofuel production.

Global Climate Niche Estimates for Bioenergy Crops and Invasive Species of Agronomic Origin: Potential Problems and Opportunities

The global push towards a more biomass-based energy sector is ramping up efforts to adopt regionally appropriate high-yielding crops. As potential bioenergy crops are being moved around the world an assessment of the climatic suitability would be a prudent first step in identifying suitable areas of productivity and risk. Additionally, this assessment also provides a necessary step in evaluating the invasive potential of bioenergy crops, which present a possible negative externality to the bioeconomy. Therefore, we provide the first global climate niche assessment for the major graminaceous (9), herbaceous (3), and woody (4) bioenergy crops. Additionally, we contrast these with climate niche assessments for North American invasive species that were originally introduced for agronomic purposes as examples of well-intentioned introductions gone awry. With few exceptions (e.g., Saccharum officinarum, Pennisetum purpureum), the bioenergy crops exhibit broad climatic tolerance, which allows tremendous flexibility in choosing crops, especially in areas with high summer rainfall and long growing seasons (e.g., southeastern US, Amazon Basin, eastern Australia). Unsurprisingly, the invasive species of agronomic origin have very similar global climate niche profiles as the proposed bioenergy crops, also demonstrating broad climatic tolerance. The ecoregional evaluation of bioenergy crops and known invasive species demonstrates tremendous overlap at both high (EI≥30) and moderate (EI≥20) climate suitability. The southern and western US ecoregions support the greatest number of invasive species of agronomic origin, especially the Southeastern USA Plains, Mixed Woods Plains, and Mediterranean California. Many regions of the world have a suitable climate for several bioenergy crops allowing selection of agro-ecoregionally appropriate crops. This model knowingly ignores the complex biotic interactions and edaphic conditions, but provides a robust assessment of the climate niche, which is valuable for agronomists, crop developers, and regulators seeking to choose agro-ecoregionally appropriate crops while minimizing the risk of invasive species.

Establishment of an efficient in vitro culture and particle bombardment-mediated transformation systems in Miscanthus sinensis Anderss., a potential bioenergy crop

Plants belonging to the genus Miscanthus are considered promising bioenergy crops. Here, we report the establishment of tissue culture system through particle bombardment-mediated transformation in Miscanthus sinensis Anderss. Callus was induced efficiently from mature seeds in a medium containing a combination of a relatively high level of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (5 mg L−1) and a relatively low level of 6-benzyladenine (BA) (0.01 mg L−1). Callus induction potential of 18 accessions of M. sinensis, which were collected from various sites in Japan, was compared. Significant correlation was detected between compact (embryogenic) callus induction frequency and average annual air temperature in collection sites. An accession from Tanegashima Island showed the highest production of compact callus. We found that a higher level of BA causes callus browning; the 2 mg L−1 BA is the optimal concentration for regeneration. Both compact and friable calli were suitable for particle bombardment transformation. Through selection under the presence of 50 mg L−1 hygromycin for 3 weeks and further selection under the presence of 150 mg L−1 for 1 month, hygromycin-resistant calli survived, of which 72.2% had been entirely transformed. Plants were regenerated from calli in the presence of hygromycin; transcripts of the hpt and gfp genes, which were cobombarded to the calli, were detected in the regenerated plants. This is the first report on the establishment of the in vitro culture of M. sinensis using mature seeds, the variation of callus formation among accessions collected from various sites in Japan, and particle bombardment-mediated transformation in the genus Miscanthus.

Composition of cell wall phenolics and polysaccharides of the potential bioenergy crop -Miscanthus

The composition and concentrations of cell wall polysaccharides and phenolic compounds were analyzed in mature stems of several Miscanthus genotypes, in comparison with switchgrass and reed (Arundo donax), and biomass characteristics were correlated with cell wall saccharification efficiency. The highest cellulose content was found in cell walls of M. sinensis‘Grosse Fontaine’ (55%) and in A. donax (47%) and lowest (about 32%) in M. sinensis‘Adagio’. There was little variation in lignin contents across M. sinensis samples (all about 22–24% of cell wall), however, Miscanthus×giganteus (M × g) cell walls contained about 28% lignin, reed – 23% and switchgrass – 26%. The highest ratios of cellulose/lignin and cellulose/xylan were in M. sinensis‘Grosse Fontaine’ across all samples tested. About the same total content of ester-bound phenolics was found in different Miscanthus genotypes (23–27 μg/mg cell wall), while reed cell walls contained 17 μg/mg cell wall and switchgrass contained a lower amount of ester-bound phenolics, about 15 μg/mg cell wall. Coumaric acid was a major phenolic compound ester-bound to cell walls in plants analyzed and the ratio of coumaric acid/ferulic acid varied from 2.1 to 4.3, with the highest ratio being in M × g samples. Concentration of ether-bound hydroxycinnamic acids varied greatly (about two-three-fold) within Miscanthus genotypes and was also the highest in M × g cell walls, but at a concentration lower than ester-bound hydroxycinnamic acids. We identified four different forms of diferulic acid esters bound to Miscanthus cell walls and their concentration and proportion varied in genotypes analyzed with the 5-5-coupled dimer being the predominant type of diferulate in most samples tested. The contents of lignin and ether-bound phenolics in the cell wall were the major determinants of the biomass degradation caused by enzymatic hydrolysis.

Effects of Cover Crop Removal on a Cotton-Peanut Rotation

The southeastern U.S. has a tremendous potential to grow a biomass crop during winter months when cash crops are not normally produced. These cover crops have proven to be extremely valuable to reduce soil erosion and improve soil quality. However, an opportunity to potentially harvest a portion of the cover crop for bioenergy purposes exists and needs to be considered to maximize the production potential of southeastern soils. An experiment was performed to determine if harvesting these cover crops could adversely affect soil properties or subsequent cash and cover crop yields. The experiment also included the effects of conducting an in-row subsoiling operation at different times of the year. Results from cone index measurements indicated that soil strength was significantly increased when the cover crop was harvested and not left on the soil surface to decompose. Not surprisingly, cotton and peanut cash crop yields declined by an average of 9% when the cover crop was harvested. Succeeding cover crop yields were also reduced by 17% due to the harvesting of previous cover crops. Conducting an in-row subsoiling operation in the fall of the year prior to planting the cover crop increased cover crop biomass by more than 18% over spring in-row subsoiling but had little impact on cash crop yields. Recommendations from this study should include a caution to producers who may want to consider their cover crops as a potential bioenergy crop. Reductions in both cash and cover crop production can result if cover crops are harvested instead of left on the surface to enhance soil quality. Additionally, scheduling a necessary in-row subsoiling operation in the fall of the year instead of waiting until the spring will improve cover crop yields.

Bird communities in future bioenergy landscapes of the Upper Midwest

Mandates for biofuel and renewable electricity are creating incentives for biomass production in agricultural landscapes of the Upper Midwest. Different bioenergy crops are expected to vary in their effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Here, we use data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey to forecast the impact of potential bioenergy crops on avian species richness and the number of bird species of conservation concern in Midwestern landscapes. Our analysis suggests that expanded production of annual bioenergy crops (e.g., corn and soybeans) on marginal land will lead to declines in avian richness between 7% and 65% across 20% of the region, and will make managing at-risk species more challenging. In contrast, replacement of annual with diverse perennial bioenergy crops (e.g., mixed grasses and forbs) is expected to bring increases in avian richness between 12% and 207% across 20% of the region, and possibly aid the recovery of several species of conservation concern.

A comparison of canopy evapotranspiration for maize and two perennial grasses identified as potential bioenergy crops

AbstractIn the Midwestern US, perennial rhizomatous grasses (PRGs) are considered one of the most promising vegetation types to be used as a cellulosic feedstock for renewable energy production. The potential widespread use of biomass crops for renewable energy production has sparked numerous environmental concerns, including the impacts of land‐use change on the hydrologic cycle. We predicted that total seasonal evapotranspiration (ET) would be higher for PRGs relative to maize resulting from higher leaf area and a prolonged growing season. We further predicted that, compared with maize, higher aboveground biomass associated with PRGs would offset the higher ET and increase water‐use efficiency (WUE) in the context of biomass harvests for liquid biofuel production. To test these predictions, ET was estimated during the 2007 growing season for replicated plots of Miscanthus×giganteus (miscanthus), Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), and Zea mays (maize) using a residual energy balance approach. The combination of a 25% higher mean latent heat flux (λET) and a longer growing season resulted in miscanthus having ca. 55% higher cumulative ET over the growing season compared with maize. Cumulative ET for switchgrass was also higher than maize despite similar seasonal‐mean λET. Based on total harvested aboveground biomass, WUE was ca. 50% higher for maize relative to miscanthus; however, when WUE calculated from only maize grain biomass was compared with WUE calculated from miscanthus harvested aboveground biomass, this difference disappeared. Although WUE between maize and miscanthus differed postsenescence, there were no differences in incremental WUE throughout the growing season. Despite initial predictions, aboveground biomass for switchgrass was less than maize; thus WUE was substantially lower for switchgrass than for either maize scenario. These results indicate that changes in ET due to large‐scale implementation of PRGs in the Midwestern US would likely influence local and regional hydrologic cycles differently than traditional row crops.

Potential, spatial distribution and economic performance of regional biomass chains: The North of the Netherlands as example

This work assesses the viability of regional biomass chains by comparing the economic performance of potential bioenergy crops with the performance of current agricultural land uses. The biomass chains assessed are ethanol production from Miscanthus and from sugar beet in the North of the Netherlands. The competitiveness of bioenergy crops is assessed by comparing the Net Present Value (NPV) of perennial crops, current rotations, and rotation schemes which include additional years of sugar beet. The current land use and soil suitability for present and bioenergy crops are mapped using a geographical information system (GIS) and the spatial distribution of economic profitability is used to indicate where land use change is most likely to occur. Bioethanol production costs are then compared with petrol costs. The productions costs comprise costs associated with cultivation, harvest, transport and conversion to ethanol. The NPVs and cost of feedstock production are calculated for seven soil suitability classes. The results show that bioenergy crops are not competitive with current cropping systems on soils classed as “suitable”. On less suitable soils, the return on intensively managed crops is low and perennial crops achieve better NPVs than common rotations. Our results showed that minimum feedstock production costs are 5.4 €/GJ for Miscanthus and 9.7 €/GJ for sugar beet depending on soil suitability. Ethanol from Miscanthus (24 €/GJ) is a better option than ethanol from sugar beet (27 €/GJ) in terms of costs. The cost of bioethanol production from domestically cultivated crops is not competitive with petrol (12.34 €/GJ) production under current circumstances. We propose that the method demonstrated in this study, provides a generic approach for identifying viable locations for bioenergy crop production based on soil properties and current land use.

Intra-annual changes in biomass, carbon, and nitrogen dynamics at 4-year old switchgrass field trials in west Tennessee, USA

Switchgrass is a potential bioenergy crop that could promote soil C sequestration in some environments. We compared four switchgrass cultivars on a well-drained Alfisol to test for differences in biomass, C, and N dynamics during the fourth growing season. There was no difference ( P > 0.05) among cultivars and no significant cultivar × time interaction in analyses of dry mass, C stocks, or N stocks in aboveground biomass and surface litter. At the end of the growing season, mean (±SE) aboveground biomass was 2.1 ± 0.13 kg m −2, and surface litter dry mass was approximately 50% of aboveground biomass. Prior to harvest, the live root:shoot biomass ratio was 0.77. There was no difference ( P > 0.05) among cultivars for total biomass, C, and N stocks belowground. Total belowground biomass (90 cm soil depth) as well as coarse (≥1 mm diameter) and fine (<1 mm diameter) live root biomass increased from April to October. Dead roots were <10% of live root biomass to a depth of 90 cm. Net production of total belowground biomass (505 ± 132 g m −2) occurred in the last half of the growing season. The increase in total live belowground biomass (426 ± 139 g m −2) was more or less evenly divided among rhizomes, coarse, and fine roots. The N budget for annual switchgrass production was closely balanced with 6.3 g N m −2 removed by harvest of aboveground biomass and 6.7 g N m −2 supplied by fertilization. At the location of our study in west Tennessee, intra-annual changes in biomass, C, and N stocks belowground were potentially important to crop management for soil C sequestration.

Quantifying nitrogen effects on castor bean ( Ricinus communis L.) development, growth, and photosynthesis

Functional relationships between leaf nitrogen (N) and crop growth processes are not available in many crops including castor bean plant that is considered as a potential bioenergy crop. An out-door pot-culture experiment was conducted to determine N deficiency effects on castor bean plant growth and physiology. Castor bean, cv. ‘Hale’, was seeded in 12-L pots filled with fine sand and irrigated with full-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution from emergence. After 34 days of sowing (DAS), the treatments imposed were full-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution (control, 100N), reduced N to 20% of the control (20N) and no N (0N) until final harvest, 66 DAS. Growth (plant height, leaf development and leaf area), photosynthesis and leaf N were measured twice weekly and plant components biomass was measured, 66 DAS. Maximum growth and developmental rates were achieved at 7.0 g N kg −1, much higher than many other crops grown under similar nutrient conditions. Even though all growth rates declined with lower leaf N, leaf area expansion was more sensitive to leaf N followed by rates of stem elongation, node addition and photosynthesis. Critical leaf N levels (90% of maximum) varied for various processes; 55.3 g N kg −1 for stem elongation, 63 g N kg −1 for node addition, 65.4 g N kg −1 for leaf area expansion, and 60.3 g N kg −1 for photosynthesis. Among the plant components, leaf dry weight had the greatest decrease while root/shoot ratio increased under N deficiency. The functional algorithms and critical leaf N levels for various growth processes will be useful for modeling, leaf N assessment and managing castor bean crop the in the field.

Saccharification of a Potential Bioenergy Crop, Phragmites australis (Common Reed), by Lignocellulose Fractionation Followed by Enzymatic Hydrolysis at Decreased Cellulase Loadings

Cost-effective biological saccharification of nonfood lignocellulosic biomass is vital to the establishment of a carbohydrate economy. Phragmites australis (common reed) is regarded as an invasive perennial weed with a productivity of up to 18-28 tons of dry weight per acre per year. We applied the cellulose solventand organic solvent-based lignocellulose fractionation (COSLIF) to the stems and leaves of Phragmites and optimized the pretreatment conditions (e.g., temperature, reaction time, and biomass moisture content) through response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal pretreatment conditions were 85% (w/v) H3PO4 ,5 0°C, and 60 min, regardless of the biomass moisture contents from 5-15% (w/w). Glucan digestibility of the COSLIF-pretreated common reed was 90% at hour 24 at a low cellulase loading (5 filter paper units and 10 � -glucosidase units per gram of glucan). Under these conditions, the overall sugar yields were 88% for glucose and 71% for xylose, respectively. Cellulose accessibility to cellulase (CAC) was increased 93.6-fold from 0.14 ( 0.035 to 13.1 ( 1.1 m 2 per gram of biomass with the COSLIF pretreatment. Results showed that cellulase concentrations could be reduced by 3-fold with only a slight reduction in sugar yield. This study suggested that Phragmites could be used as a carbon-neutral bioenergy feedstock, while its harvesting could help control its invasive growth and decrease nutrient pollution in adjacent waterways.

Fluxes of nitrous oxide and methane on an abandoned peat extraction site: Effect of reed canary grass cultivation

Drained organic soils are among the most risky soil types as far as their greenhouse gas emissions are considered. Reed canary grass (RCG) is a potential bioenergy crop in the boreal region, but the atmospheric impact of its cultivation is unknown. The fluxes of N 2O and CH 4 were measured from an abandoned peat extraction site (an organic soil) cultivated with RCG using static chamber and snow gradient techniques. The fluxes were measured also at an adjacent site which is under active peat extraction and it is devoid of any vegetation (BP site). The 4-year average annual N 2O emissions were low being 0.1 and 0.01 g N 2O m −2 a −1 at the RCG and BP sites, respectively. The corresponding mean annual CH 4 emissions from the RCG and BP sites were also low (0.4 g and 0.9 g CH 4 m −2 a −1). These results highlight for the first time that there are organic soils where cultivation of perennial bioenergy crops is possible with low N 2O and CH 4 emissions.

Effect of Boron on Dynamic Change of Seed Yield and Quality Formation in Developing Seed of Brassica napus

ABSTRACT Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is one of main oil crops in the world and also a potential bioenergy crop. Because of the sensitivity of Brassica napus to boron (B) deficiency and the wide distribution of low available-B soils in main areas of rapeseed production, more and more attention is being paid to the effect of B nutrition on yield and quality of rapeseed and its regulation mechanism. In this study, a field plot trial was conducted to examine the effects of B on dynamic changes of seed yield and quality formation in developing rapeseed. The results showed that B significantly increased seed yield compared with the low B control, which was attributed to an increase in the number of seeds per pod and pods per plant. During the seed development period, dry matter accumulation of seed followed a typical S-shaped curve at the two B treatments, but seed weight accumulated faster in plants supplied with sufficient B than those with low B. The dry weight of the podwall in high B treatment showed rapid increase at the early stage of seed development and decreased rapidly in later periods compared with low B. This suggested that applying B improved the accumulation of seed dry matter in early stages of seed development and substance transport from podwall to seed in later stages, which resulted in high seed yield. No significant effect of B on oil content, erucic acid and glucosinolate contents was found. However, B maintained a lower level of erucic acid and glucosinolate contents at whole seed development process and resulted in a lower ratio of erucic acid (22:1)/oleic acid (18:1) compared with that of low B treatment. These results suggested that application of B could heighten seed yield and improve oil quality for rapeseed in soils with low available B.

English

Deep row incorporation of biosolids is a unique alternative land application method that will prevent odor problems and may permit the application of considerably higher than currently permitted biosolids rates. The goal of our research is to assess environmental consequences of employing deep row incorporation of biosolids to restore productivity of mined land for the production of hybrid poplar as a potential bioenergy crop. Our objectives are to quantify the transformations of nitrogen and phosphorus applied to the soil as entrenched biosolids. The study is being conducted on a mineral sands mine reclamation site near the Coastal Plain-Piedmont fall line in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. The experimental design consists of 5 treatments - two biosolids types each applied in subsurface trenches at two rates and an unamended control. Application rates were 328 and 656 Mg ha -1 for the lime-stabilized biosolids and 213 and 426 Mg ha -1 for the anaerobically digested biosolids. Each treatment was replicated four times and arranged in a randomized complete block design. The site has been instrumented with suction and zero-tension lysimeters for collection and analysis of leachate from which were determined subsurface loss of nitrogen and phosphorus. Gas chambers have been used to collect soil air samples for accounting of denitrification rates from the entrenched biosolids. Redox potential was determined in the incorporated biosolids to describe the biosolids environment influencing nitrogen and phosphorus chemical transformations. During the first 10-14 months following biosolids application, initial nitrogen loss occurred largely as ammonium and organic N and, after 7-10 months, mostly as nitrate N. There was no significant leaching of phosphorus. Low redox potential in the biosolids' seam validated the occurrence of anaerobic conditions. Higher nitrous oxide emissions occurred from the anaerobically digested biosolids than from the lime stabilized biosolids. The deep row biosolids incorporation technology, when applied to coarse-textured soils, does not appear to be environmentally viable with respect to potential nitrogen loss to groundwater.

Hydrothermal and thermal time models for the invasive grass, Arundo donax

Controlled laboratory and field experiments were performed to determine the developmental response to temperature and moisture of Arundo donax, a riparian invasive grass and potential bioenergy crop. A logistic function was parameterized and used to predict thermal times to sprouting and the nine-leaf stage. Consistent estimates of the base temperature ( T b) and base water potential ( ψ b) below which development ceases were obtained from various statistical and mathematical analyses. Estimates of T b and ψ b were 12.7 ± 1.7 °C and −1.56 ± 0.43 MPa, respectively, for the median fraction of sprouting rhizomes. Median hydrothermal time to sprouting was 124.1 MPa °Cd under laboratory conditions and median thermal times, or degree-day (°Cd), to sprouting and nine-leaf stage was estimated to be 94 and 129 °Cd under field conditions, respectively. A degree-day is defined as one day (24 h) spent one degree above T b. Results demonstrated that thermal time alone is sufficient to accurately predict time to sprouting under field conditions. Further, there may be a fixed moisture threshold of about 6% volumetric water content above which sprouting rate was constant. This threshold corresponded very closely to the −1.5 MPa for ψ b that was estimated under laboratory conditions for the soil typically infested by A. donax. This information is crucial for assessing risk of invasive spread for A. donax.