Drought effects on composition and yield for corn stover, mixed grasses, andMiscanthusas bioenergy feedstocks
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: Drought conditions in 2012 were some of the most severe in recent history. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of drought on quality, quantity, and theoretical ethanol yield (TEY) of three bioenergy feedstocks, corn stover, mixed grasses from Conservation Reserve Program lands, and Miscanthus × giganteus. To assess drought effects on these feedstocks, samples from 2010 (minimal to no drought) and 2012 (severe drought) were compared from multiple locations in the US. In all feedstocks, drought significantly increased extractives and reduced structural sugars and lignin; subsequently, TEYs were reduced 10–15%. Biomass yields were significantly reduced for M. × giganteus and mixed grasses. When reduction in quality and quantity were combined, TEYs decreased 26–59%. Drought negatively affected biomass quality and quantity that resulted in significant TEY reductions. Such fluctuations in biomass quality and yield may have significant consequences for developing lignocellulosic biorefineries.
Source: Biofuels
Institutions: Idaho National Laboratory, National Laboratory of the Rockies, Agricultural Research Service, National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, Iowa State University, University of Missouri, University of Georgia, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Language: English
Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geological Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Idaho Operations Office, U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory
OpenAlex ID: W2026967171