Nitrogen Fertilization of C 4 Grasses Grown for Bioenergy
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Nitrogen Fertilization of C 4 Grasses Grown for Bioenergy Heather Engbers 1 , Bill Deen 1 & Doug Young 2 1 Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada 2 Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph, Ridgetown, ON, N0P 2C0, Canada One of the most important factors for the efficient growth of plants is meeting nutrient requirements while minimizing losses. Plants that can efficiently absorb and utilize nutrients can greatly enhance the use of applied fertilizers, thus reducing costs and potential environmental damage. C 4 perennial grasses are of particular interest for bioenergy production due to their high nutrient use efficiencies and low input costs. Research on several C 4 grasses has shown that in general the response of applied N to yield and other macronutrient concentrations decreases with increasing supply but finding Ontario specific optimal N application rates is essential. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of N fertilization on yield, and P and K concentrations and removal across several C 4 perennial grass species and cultivars during the initial 3 years of establishment. Introduction: Materials and Methods: Results: Key points: No variety effects on yield Spring yields reduced by 10-42% relative to fall yields Significant N response by peak fall biomass except the miscanthus at the Ridgetown location possibly due to low rainfall P concentration of plant tissue not affected by N rate P removal ranged from 1-11 kg ha -1 independent of N rate K concentration of plant tissue not affected by N rate K removal rates ranged from 10-65 kg ha -1 independent of N rate K concentrations reduced significantly by spring harvest timing Figure 1- Yield and concentration of P and K in Miscanthus (mean result of var. Nagara and Amuri) and Switchgrass (mean result of var. Shelter and Cave-in-Rock) for 2 nd year biomass harvested fall (2009) and spring (2010) Conclusion: November 2010 Acknowledgements: Funding and support for this project was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Miscanthus and switchgrass varieties are available that will survive Ontario winters. Nitrogen fertilizer is required to increase yields for 2nd year production of both miscanthus and switchgrass. N fertilization had little effect on P and K tissue concentrations, but did alter P and K removal rates through its impact on yield. 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 0 50 100 150 200 NS NS NS 0 1 2 3 4 5 0 50 100 150 200 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 0 50 100 150 200 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 0 50 100 150 200 NS 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 0 50 100 150 200 Fall Spring 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 0 50 100 150 200 0 1 2 3 4 5 0 50 100 150 200 0 1 2 3 4 5 0 50 100 150 200 NS 0 1 2 3 4 5 0 50 100 150 200 Elora Ridgetown K Concentration (g/ kg dry wt) P Concentration (g/ kg dry wt) Nitrogen Rate (kg/ha) 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 0 50 100 150 200 Elora 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 0 50 100 150 200 Ridgetown 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 0 50 100 150 200 Ridgetown Elora Miscanthus Switchgrass Yield (kg ha -1 @ 0%moisture)
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Nitrogen Fertilization of C 4 Grasses Grown for Bioenergy. Heather Engbers 1 , Bill Deen 1 & Doug Young 2 1 Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada 2 Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph, Ridgetown, ON, N0P 2C0, Canada. Results:. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Nitrogen Fertilization of C 4 Grasses Grown for Bioenergy
Nitrogen Fertilization of C4 Grasses Grown for BioenergyHeather Engbers1, Bill Deen1 & Doug Young2
1Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada2 Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph, Ridgetown, ON, N0P 2C0, Canada
One of the most important factors for the efficient growth of plants is meeting nutrient requirements while minimizing losses. Plants that can efficiently absorb and utilize nutrients can greatly enhance the use of applied fertilizers, thus reducing costs and potential environmental damage. C4 perennial grasses are of particular interest for bioenergy production due to their high nutrient use efficiencies and low input costs. Research on several C4 grasses has shown that in general the response of applied N to yield and other macronutrient concentrations decreases with increasing supply but finding Ontario specific optimal N application rates is essential.
The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of N fertilization on yield, and P and K concentrations and removal across several C4 perennial grass species and cultivars during the initial 3 years of establishment.
Introduction:
Materials and Methods:
Results:
Key points: No variety effects on yield Spring yields reduced by 10-42% relative to fall yields Significant N response by peak fall biomass except the
miscanthus at the Ridgetown location possibly due to low rainfall
P concentration of plant tissue not affected by N rate P removal ranged from 1-11 kg ha-1 independent of N rate K concentration of plant tissue not affected by N rate K removal rates ranged from 10-65 kg ha-1 independent of N
rate K concentrations reduced significantly by spring harvest timing
Figure 1- Yield and concentration of P and K in Miscanthus (mean result of var. Nagara and Amuri) and Switchgrass (mean result of var. Shelter and Cave-in-Rock) for 2nd year biomass harvested fall (2009) and spring (2010)
Conclusion:
November 2010
Acknowledgements: Funding and support for this project was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Miscanthus and switchgrass varieties are available that will survive Ontario winters. Nitrogen fertilizer is required to increase yields for 2nd year production of both miscanthus and switchgrass. N fertilization had little effect on P and K tissue concentrations, but did alter P and K removal rates through its impact on yield.
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