Triticale Straw Research Articles

Characteristics and Changes in the Properties of Cereal and Rapeseed Straw Used as Energy Feedstock

Solid biofuels, including straw as production residue, are still the largest energy feedstock in the structure of primary energy production from renewable energy sources. However, the properties of straw as a solid biofuel can vary depending on the species from which it was produced and the harvest period and year. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the thermophysical properties and elemental composition of six types of straw (rye, oat, triticale, wheat, corn, and rapeseed straw) obtained over three consecutive years (2020, 2021, 2022). Rye straw had the lowest moisture (mean: 10.55%), ash (mean: 2.71% DM), nitrogen (mean: 0.54% DM) and chlorine (mean: 0.046% DM) contents and the highest carbon content (mean: 47.93% DM), a higher heating value—HHV (mean: 19.03 GJ Mg−1 DM) and a lower heating value—LHV (mean: 15.71 GJ Mg−1). Triticale straw had similar properties, classifying it into the same cluster as rye straw. Corn straw had a remarkably high moisture content (mean: 48.91%), low LHV and high chlorine content. Rapeseed straw contained high levels of Cl, S, N and ash, and they were 643%, 481%, 104% and 169% higher, respectively, than those in rye straw. The sulfur, chlorine and moisture contents of the six straw types under study were highly variable during the three years of the study. Knowledge of the properties of different types of straw as energy feedstocks facilitates the logistics and organization of the supply of bioenergy installations. However, further research is needed, especially studies assessing the energy intensity and logistical costs of different types of straw used for energy purposes.

Energy consumption of the biomass cutting process preceding the biofuel production

This paper explores the effects of various parameters on the triticale straw cutting process and the subsequent biomass yield. The impact of blade angle (α), rake angle (β), and the distance between the blade and counter-blade (g) were examined in relation to the shaft torque (Td) on the cutting knife drum, the energy consumption (Ec), and the required power (P) for processing straw. Heterogeneity among straw samples was taken into account to ensure accurate calibration of responses. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to investigate the interactions between input variables and recorded responses, leading to the identification of optimal cutting parameters (α = 35° and β = 0°) that minimise Td, Ec, and P. Additionally, the components of the recorded torque Td, including cutting torque (Tc) and friction torque (Tf), were analysed. Parameter f was used to ascertain the percentage of Tf in Td, enabling an optimisation process that confirmed the experimental results and pinpointed the parameter values that resulted in the least energy-intensive process.

The Use of Bread Bakery Waste as a Binder Additive in the Production of Fuel Pellets from Straw

The paper presents the results of a study on the effects of the addition of bread bakery waste (stale bread, sometimes infected with mold, from store returns) to agricultural waste consisting of triticale straw on the process of solid biofuel pelleting and the physical and fuel properties of the obtained pellets. The pelleting process was conducted in a pelletizer equipped with a flat matrix, with holes 6 mm in diameter, and two pelleting rollers (for straw alone and for a mixture of straw and bread waste with mass fractions of 5, 10, and 15%). The addition of bread waste during the process of pelleting resulted in reduced power demand for the pelletizer in each of the analyzed cases. The largest decrease in the power demand (by approximately 18%, i.e., from 1.27 to 1.04 kW) was recorded for a 15% addition of sunflower seed bread to the mixture with straw. Moreover, the addition of bread waste also caused a significant increase in the kinetic strength of pellets compared to pellets produced from straw alone. The highest kinetic strength was obtained in the case of pellets produced from a mixture of straw with a 15% white bread content, i.e., 99.43%. For all of the analyzed types of additives, kinetic strength increased with increasing additive content. In each of the analyzed cases, the obtained values of density of pellets produced from a mixture of straw and bread waste, as well as the kinetic strength, allow for the conclusion that the obtained pellets, in this respect, meet the requirements of ISO 17225-2:2021 and ENplus standards for Class A1 pellets.

Industrial Hemp as a Potential Nonwood Source of Fibres for European Industrial-Scale Papermaking-A Review.

The suitability of industrial hemp (IH) as a source of fibres for European industrial-scale papermaking, including, in particular, European kraft pulp mills (EKMPs) (i.e., plants producing the predominant amount of virgin pulps in Europe), was discussed, considering the causal, cultivation, technological, and application aspects of this issue. The work showed that there are generally premises for using straw from nonwood crops in European papermaking. As for the IH, it was found that IH stalks are the best IH fibrous raw material for EKMPs. There are a few cultivation factors favouring the use of IH stalks in them and a few, though important (e.g., small cultivation areas), factors not conducive to this use. Most technological factors favour the use of IH stalks in EKPMs, apart from the large differences in the length of the IH bast and woody-core fibres. The analysis of application factors indicates lower usefulness of IH stalks than wheat, rye or triticale straws, stalks of Miscanthus × giganteus, Virginia mallow, and kenaf. This is due to the much greater availability of these cereal straws than IH and less variation in the fibre length of cereal straws, Miscanthus × giganteus, Virginia mallow, and kenaf than in IH stalks. The main conclusion from the conducted query is the statement that the presence of IH varieties with fibre lengths more similar to wood would reduce the number of technological and application factors unfavourable to their use in EKPMs and increase the competitiveness of hemp straw vs. wood as a raw material for European large-scale papermaking.

Comparison of different cool season cereal species and cultivars in terms of straw yield and quality

This study was carried out in the year 2015-16 and 2016-17 growing season in order to determine and compare the yield, digestibility dry matter and relative feed value of straw obtained from cereals. In the study, which was carried out in three replications according to the randomized blocks experimental design; 3 bread wheat, 3 durum wheat, 3 triticale and 4 barley cultivars were used as plant material. The difference between cereal species in terms of plant height, biological yield, seed yield, straw yield and crude protein was statistically significant (P≤0.01). In terms of these features the highest results were obtained from triticale straw and the lowest values were obtained from barley and bread wheat straw. At the same time, the lowest crude protein ratio was obtained from triticale straw, where the best yield results were obtained. The difference between cereal species in terms of crude protein yield, ADF and NDF contens, digestibility dry matter and relative feed values were found to be statistically insignificant. As a result, it was determined that the species with the highest yield among the species was trikale. In terms of quality criteria, it was determined that only the crude protein content was statistically significant among the species and the lowest value was obtained from triticale and the highest value was obtained from bread wheat and barley in terms of this property.

Properties of Lightweight Insulating Boards Produced from Triticale Straw Particles.

Insulating materials made from straw are becoming increasingly popular in the construction industry. Straw can be used in the construction of buildings as uncompressed straw chips or in the form of compressed panels. This study aimed to determine the possibility of manufacturing boards from straw particles with densities in the range of 150-400 kg/m3, allowing favorable mechanical properties while simultaneously providing high thermal and acoustic insulation properties. The study also analyzed the influence of the degree of carpentry density on the quality of the manufactured boards. The study shows that insulation boards can be produced from straw particles with satisfactory properties already at densities in the range of 200-150 kg/m3. Boards with this density have a compressive strength of 150 kPa, thermal resistance of 0.033-0.046 W/(m·K), and a sound absorption coefficient above 0.31.

Annual Plants and Thermoplastics in the Production of Polymer and Lignocellulose Boards.

This study investigated the mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of three-layer particleboards produced from annual plant straws and three polymers: polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polylactic acid (PLA). The rape straw (Brassica napus L. var. Napus) was used as an internal layer, while rye (Secale L.) or triticale (Triticosecale Witt.) was applied as an external layer in the obtained particleboards. The boards were tested for their density, thickness swelling, static bending strength, modulus of elasticity, and thermal degradation characteristics. Moreover, the changes in the structure of composites were determined by infrared spectroscopy. Among the straw-based boards with the addition of tested polymers, satisfactory properties were obtained mainly using HDPE. In turn, the straw-based composites with PP were characterized by moderate properties, while PLA-containing boards did not show clearly favorable properties either in terms of the mechanical or physical features. The properties of straw-polymer boards produced based on triticale straw were slightly better than those of the rye-based boards, probably due to the geometry of the strands, which was more favorable for triticale straw. The obtained results indicated that annual plant fibers, mainly triticale, can be used as wood substitutes for the production of biocomposites. Moreover, the addition of polymers allows for the use of the obtained boards in conditions of increased humidity.

Experimental Study on the Cutting Process of Single Triticale Straws.

This paper presents experimental research on cutting a single stalk of triticale straw for the production of biofuel in the process of its compaction using the piston technique. In the first stage of the experimental study of cutting single triticale straws, the variable parameters were the moisture contents of the stem equal to 10% and 40%, the offset between the blade and the counter-blade g, and the linear velocity of the knife blade V. The blade angle and rake angle were equal to α = 0° and β = 0°. In the second stage, the variables, including the blade angle values α = 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45° and the rake angle values β = 5°, 15°, and 30°, were introduced. Taking into account the analysis of the distribution of forces on the knife edge leading to the determination of the force quotients Fc″/Fc and Fw/Fc, and on the basis of the optimization performed and the adopted optimization criteria, the optimal knife edge angle α can be determined (at values g = 0.1 mm and V = 8 mm/s) at α ≅ 0° and the angle of attack β within the range of 5-26°. What the value will be in this range depends on the value of the weight adopted in the optimization. The choice of their values may be decided by the constructor of the cutting device.

The critical impacts of anion and cosolvent on morpholinium ionic liquid pretreatment for efficient renewable energy production from triticale straw

Morpholinium ionic liquids (ILs) using N-allyl-N-methylmorpholinium ([AMMorph]) cation in combination with acetate ([OAc]), formate ([OFo]), carbonate ([CO3]), and sulfate ([SO4]) anions were used for the pretreatment of triticale straw. The pretreatment was performed with various percentages of IL as well as water and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as cosolvents. These cosolvents reduced IL consumption and increased the ethanol efficiencies up to 90% and 76% after pretreatment with [AMMorph][OAc] or [AMMorph]2[CO3], respectively, and water cosolvent. Whereas the mixture of water and DMSO resulted in the maximum ethanol yields of 82% and 69% for [AMMorph][OFo] and [AMMorph]2[SO4], respectively. Among the studied IL-cosolvent combinations, the best solvent for the pretreatment of triticale straw was a mixture of [AMMorph][OAc] with 20% water to achieve highest ethanol production. The performance of this IL was further studied in terms of temperature and time, resulting in hydrolysis and ethanol yields of 99% and 94%, respectively. The results revealed that the anion plays a key role in the pretreatment efficiency and the organic anions, i.e., acetate and formate, had better performance in the presence of cosolvent compared with inorganic anions. Moreover, the amount and type of cosolvent for obtaining the highest yields are highly dependent on the anion type.

Characterizing the Alteration in Rumen Microbiome and Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes Profile with Forage of Muskoxen Rumen through Comparative Metatranscriptomics.

Muskox (Ovibos moschatus), as the biggest herbivore in the High Arctic, has been enduring the austere arctic nutritional conditions and has evolved to ingest and digest scarce and high lignified forages to support the growth and reproduce, implying probably harbor a distinct microbial reservoir for the deconstruction of plant biomass. Therefore, metagenomics approach was applied to characterize the rumen microbial community and understand the alteration in rumen microbiome of muskoxen fed either triticale straw or brome hay. The difference in the structure of microbial communities including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protozoa between the two forages was observed at the taxonomic level of genus. Further, although the highly abundant phylotypes in muskoxen rumen fed either triticale straw or brome hay were almost the same, the selective enrichment different phylotypes for fiber degrading, soluble substrates fermenting, electron and hydrogen scavenging through methanogenesis, acetogenesis, propionogenesis, and sulfur-reducing was also noticed. Specifically, triticale straw with higher content of fiber, cellulose selectively enriched more lignocellulolytic taxa and electron transferring taxa, while brome hay with higher nitrogen content selectively enriched more families and genera for degradable substrates-digesting. Intriguingly, the carbohydrate-active enzyme profile suggested an over representation and diversity of putative glycoside hydrolases (GHs) in the animals fed on triticale straw. The majority of the cellulases belonged to fiver GH families (i.e., GH5, GH6, GH9, GH45, and GH48) and were primarily synthesized by Ruminococcus, Piromyces, Neocallimastix, and Fibrobacter. Abundance of major genes coding for hemicellulose digestion was higher than cellulose mainly including GH8, GH10, GH16, GH26, and GH30, and these enzymes were produced by members of the genera Fibrobacter, Ruminococcus, and Clostridium. Oligosaccharides were mainly of the GH1, GH2, GH3, and GH31 types and were associated with the genera Prevotella and Piromyces. Our results strengthen metatranscriptomic evidence in support of the understanding of the microbial community and plant polysaccharide response to changes in the feed type and host animal. The study also establishes these specific microbial consortia procured from triticale straw group can be used further for efficient plant biomass hydrolysis.

Effects of the straw inclusion in the diet of dairy calves on growth performance, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites during pre- and post-weaning periods.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the inclusion of chopped straw into a diet with pelleted starter feed on starter intake, growth performance, fermentation and blood metabolites of dairy calves during the pre- and post-weaning periods. Forty-four Holstein-Friesian female dairy calves were randomly assigned to four treatments: control (CON, starter without straw; n=11), low straw (LS, starter feed containing 10% dry matter basis straw; n=11), medium straw (MS, starter feed containing 15% dry matter basis straw; n=11) and high straw (HS, starter feed containing 20% dry matter basis straw; n=11). Starter intake and total dry matter intake were recorded daily, and bodyweight weekly until 84days of age. The highest starter intake and total dry matter intake were noted in the LS and MS treatments during the post-weaning, and overall experiment periods. Also, the average daily gain was greater during the pre-weaning period for LS and MS than HS. Increasing chopped straw content in the starter feeds from 0% to 15% increased ruminal pH, especially at day 28, and molar concentration of acetate, and decreased concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and propionate throughout the trial. Concentrations of butyrate in the rumen were lower at day 28, and higher at day 56 and 84 in straw-supplemented calves compared to the CON treatment. Increasing chopped straw content in the starters feeds from 0% to 15% increased the total counts of bacteria and protozoa, but then this counts decreased with the content of 20% chopped straw. In conclusion, the inclusion of chopped triticale straw from 10% to 15% in the diet with pelleted starter feed can improve performance, and rumen fermentation in calves; however, increasing the dietary inclusion of straw to 20% can negatively affect growth performance.

Comparative Assessment of Biogas Production Potential of the Most Abundant Agro-residues in Turkey

Recent energy policies promote energy generations from green resources to meet sustainability criteria. Since Turkey is one of the largest agricultural producers globally, it has great biogas production potential. This study aims to evaluate the biomethane yields of the most abundant agro-residues in Turkey and to assess their potentials for contribution to biogas production. Within this scope, sunflower heads, tea residues, cotton stalks, and crop residues; wheat, rye, and triticale straws were collected from different regions of Turkey. Anaerobic batch digesters were conducted to investigate the biomethane production of the selected feedstock and operated for 30 days at 37°C. Each setup was conducted in triplicates and methane productions were monitored online. The main methane production route of the inoculum was determined as acetoclastic methanogenesis while Cloacimonetes, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes composed the core bacterial phyla. The greatest methane yield was observed in the digesters operated with the wheat straw followed (164 NmL/gVSinfluent) by triticale straw and sunflower head. The lowest yields were calculated for the digesters fed with the cotton stalks (71 NmL/gVSinfluent). To increase the biomethane potential yields in the anaerobic digesters operated with agro-residues and to make the anaerobic digesters more feasible, operational conditions should be optimized and physico-chemical and biological pre-treatment techniques and/or bioaugmentation applications should be integrated into the systems.

Aqueous pretreatment of triticale straw for integrated production of hemicellulosic methane and cellulosic butanol

Despite its advantages, lignocellulosic butanol cannot become a real alternative without processes for obtaining credits from non-cellulosic fraction of lignocellulose. In this study, the process of “cellulosic butanol” was integrated with “hemicellulosic methane” process, i.e., anaerobic digestion (AD), for higher energy return on investment (EROI). Aqueous pretreatment was evaluated as a connecting chain between the processes. The alkaline (1% NaOH), acidic (1% H2SO4), and neutral (autohydrolysis) pretreatments were utilized at 140, 160, and 180 °C for bioenergy recovery from triticale straw. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the straw pretreated by alkaline (180 °C), dilute acid (140 °C), and autohydrolysis (180 °C) and fermentation of the hydrolysates by Clostridium acetobutylicum led to 13.6, 8.5, and 10.2 g/L acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE), respectively. AD of the liquors remained after pretreatment by alkaline, dilute acid, and autohydrolysis led to 83–121, 240–247, and 380–430 mL/g VSS methane leading to more than 60% increase in EROI.

Management of white mold of soybean using winter cereal straw

ABSTRACT: The management of white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum(Lib.) De Bary) has been one of the main production limitations faced by soybean (Glycine max L.) producers. Considering the complex management of this disease and resistance structure of the pathogen, the present study was conducted in the municipalities of Guarapuava and Palmas in Paraná with the objective of managing the white mold of soybean using straws of winter cereals, such as oat, rye, and triticale. Initially, the three winter cereals were cultivated simultaneously in both the study areas. Straw production, plant height, and shoot fresh and dry weight were evaluated. Subsequently, BMX Apollo soybean was cultivated on cereal straws, and the incidence and severity of white mold were evaluated. In the in vitro experiment, 20 sclerotia covered by a layer of cereal (oat, rye, and triticale) straws were added and carpogenic germination was observed only in the control treatment after 98 days. Regardless of the study site, rye presented greater height and fresh weight than the remaining two cereals. Soybean cultivation on winter cereal straw reduced the incidence and severity of white mold. Cultivation on rye straw reduced mold incidence by 77.7% and 76.6% in Palmas and Guarapuava, respectively.

Micro-assay method for enzymatic saccharification of industrially relevant lignocellulose substrates

The development of micro-assays suitable for automation systems represents a helpful alternative by which many enzymes and factors can be studied simultaneously for the conversion of lignocellulose. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate a micro-assay method, based on hand-sheets, to reproducibly aliquot-pretreated lignocellulosic biomass at milligramme scale with minimal impact on the digestibility of the material. To favour representative sampling and handling for enzymatic conversion at milligramme scale, the solid fractions from steam-pretreated sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) and triticale straw (TS) were subjected to homogenisation steps in sequential disintegrator and liquidiser at different severities prior to hand-sheet making (TAPPI). In the case of SSB, the disintegrator treatment (37,500 rpm) was sufficient to obtain the required fibre lengths, while the combined treatment with liquidiser (6250 rpm) and disintegrator (31,250 rpm) was needed for TS. The selected steps were able to improve homogenisation and fibre size distribution in the hand-sheets, attaining the required fibre lengths (less than 8 mm), with minimal influence on glucan conversion when using a conventional enzyme cocktail. The combined treatment and hand-sheet making had a more pronounced effect on the conversion of the xylan, with reduced xylose yields compared to small scale. The carbohydrate conversion in micro-assay was susceptible to more efficient enzyme combinations depending on the structural properties of the pretreated materials, presence and concentration of inhibitors as well as the enzyme dosage used. Nevertheless, the micro-assay method could distinguish between the different enzyme combinations, identifying those resulting in higher sugar yields from different lignocellulose materials pretreated under relatively mild conditions.

Determining the quality of paper substrates containing triticale pulp for printing industry

Abstract Today, the paper industry is faced with a global deficiency of raw wood materials, so alternative sources of virgin cellulose fibres are playing an important role in paper production. Agricultural countries produce large quantities of crop farming by-products such as straw, which is an interesting alternative raw material for cellulose fibres. Straw is used in many industries because of its numerous advantages: animal food industry, biofuel industry, construction industry and as artistic material. The potential use of straw production residues is of great importance in paper and printing industry. The focus of this research is on triticale straw, which was used as a non-wood fibre source for paper production. Namely, triticale straw was converted into semi-chemical pulp and was combined with recycled wood pulp in order to produce alternative laboratory papers. The usability of this kind of laboratory papers in printing industry was analysed based on line reproduction quality. This research evaluated and analysed line reproduction quality based on four line attributes: width, blurriness and raggedness. The results of this research proved that triticale pulp in laboratory papers has equal influence on line printing quality as the recycled wood pulp.

Characteristics of straw particles of selected grain species purposed for the production of lignocellulose particleboards

The present paper provides characteristics of three species of grain straw particles applied in the production of lignocellulose particleboards. For the sake of the investigation, rapeseed, rye, and triticale straw were fragmented to the size of particles used in the wood-based materials industry. The aim of the research was to determine physical properties of particle of rapeseed, rye, and triticale straw and to evaluate their usefulness in the process of manufacturing lignocellulose particleboards purposed for building constructions. Another aspect of the work was to determine the influence of moisture content of straw particles (using rapeseed straw as an example) on properties of the manufactured particleboards made with its use. The conclusion is that each of the investigated materials is characterized by different geometry, poured and tapped bulk density, varied angle of repose, and slippery angle of repose. Differences in sizes and shapes of particles of various grain species and in their moisture content strongly affect properties of particleboards produced with their use. The investigations prove that the best properties are observed for rye straw particleboards. However, due to their physical parameters, difficulties in storage, transport, and particleboards production may happen to be more considerable than in case of other materials.

Comparison of Bioethanol Preparation from Triticale Straw Using the Ionic Liquid and Sulfate Methods

Triticale straw constitutes a potential raw material for biofuel production found in Poland in considerable quantities. Thus far, production of bioethanol has been based on food raw materials such as cereal seeds, sugar beets or potatoes, and the biofuel production methods developed for these lignocellulose raw materials can threaten the environment and are inefficient. Therefore, this study aimed to compare of methods for pretreatment of triticale straw using 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate and the sulfate method in the aspect of ethanol production intended for fuel. Based on the conducted experiments it has been determined that the use of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate for the pretreatment of triticale straw resulted in an increase of reducing sugars after enzymatic hydrolysis and ethyl alcohol after alcoholic fermentation. Furthermore, the study compared the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis of triticale straw without pretreatment, after processing with ionic liquid, recycled ionic liquid and using sulfate method, allowing a comparison of these methods. The more favorable method of lignocellulose material purification was the use of ionic liquid, due to the lower amount of toxic byproducts formed during the process, and the efficiency test results of bioethanol production using pretreatment with ionic liquid and sulfate method were similar. Ionic liquid recycling after pretreatment of rye straw using lyophilization allowed us to reuse this solvent to purify rye straw, yet the efficiency of this method remained at a low level. As a result of the conducted study it was determined that the use of ionic liquid-1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate enhanced the yield of bioethanol from triticale straw from 1.60 g/dm3 after processing without pre-treatment to 10.64 g/dm3 after pre-treatment.

Impact of triticale cultivar (× Triticosecale sp. Wittmack) and location on pretreatment requirements and fermentable sugars yield

Triticale, a man-made grain cereal developed by crossing wheat with rye and displaying high straw yield, has gained interest for second-generation fuel ethanol. This study aimed at assessing variability in straw properties from triticale cultivars grown in South Africa and their impact on straw processability for optimal yield of total fermentable sugars (TFS) from dilute acid pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to maximize the total fermentable sugars yield from dilute acid pretreatment–enzymatic hydrolysis. The optimum pretreatment conditions 182 °C—0.39% (w/w)—15.4 min maximized total sugar yield at 50.5 g/100 g for straw from cultivar 01T43 (1.2% ash), representing total sugars recovery of 80.4% of theoretical TFS (xylose + glucose) in the straws. Conditions of 189 °C—0.60%—18 min and 190 °C—0.53%—13 min maximized total sugar yield for cultivars 00T207 (5.8% ash) and BACCHUS (4.4% ash) at 46.7 and 44.9 g/100 g which represented total sugars recoveries of 77.8 and 68% of theoretical TFS (xylose + glucose) in the straws, respectively. Enhancement of sugar yield from triticale straw is possible by dilute acid pretreatment optimization, coupled with selection of cultivars with low ash content in straw for reduced pretreatment requirements.

Biomass recalcitrance in barley, wheat and triticale straw: Correlation of biomass quality with classic agronomical traits.

The global production of cereal straw as an agricultural by-product presents a significant source of biomass, which could be used as feedstock for the production of second generation biofuels by fermentation. The production of sugars for fermentation is an important measure of straw quality and in its suitability for biofuel production. In this paper, we present a characterization of straw digestibility from a wide range of cereal. Our main objective is to evaluate the variability of fermentable sugars released from different species including wheat (Triticum durum L., Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack). To this end, we adapted a saccharification method (IAS Method) capable of detecting significant differences of released sugars between cultivars and species, while using separately another method that would serve as a control and with which we could contrast our results (CNAP method). ANOVA analyses revealed that barley has a higher saccharification potential than wheat and triticale and shows more variation between genotypes. Thus, populations derived from crosses among them such as Steptoe × Morex and OWB Dominant × OWB Recessive hold potential for the identification of genetic basis for saccharification-related traits. The correlation of glucose released between the two methods was moderate (R2 = 0.57). An evaluation of the inter- and intra- specific correlation between a number of chemical and agronomical parameters and saccharification suggests that the cell wall thickness and lignin content in straw could be used in breeding programs for the improvement of the saccharification potential. Finally, the lack of correlation between grain yield and saccharification suggests that it would be possible to make a selection of genotypes for dual purpose, low recalcitrance and grain yield.