The perspective of different energy crops cultivation | Gintaras |
Summary : With the growing demand for alternative energy (especially plant biomass) and to avoid competition with traditional food crops, part of the less-favored areas may be used for energy crops. LAMMC Vėžaičiai branch (Lithuania) has been conducting research on 2 perennial fast-growing plant species (herbaceous and woody) in the acidic whitish soils (pH 4.2-4.4) of Western Lithuania since 2009 and 2014. The effect of liming (to adjust the optimal soil pH level) and nitrogen fertilizers on biomass growth was investigated. The increase in dry weight of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) and common osier (Salix viminalis L.) was directly related to nitrogen fertilization alone. Liming and fertilization with nitrogen fertilizers and their interaction had a positive effect on the productivity of the following plants: black poplars (Populus nigra L.), cup plact (Silphium perfoliatum L.), virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita Rusby). Except for virginia mallow, the effect of liming on other plants is more pronounced only in the first few years of plant growth. However, primary soil liming had a positive effect on soil chemical parameters (especially humus growth) and microbiological activity.
About Author :
Dr. Gintaras Šiaudinis is a scientific worker since 2007. The main interest of research: energy crops; their adaptivity under local soil and climatic conditions; plant biomass conversion to biofuels. The author has publisher 19 scientific publications in magazines indexed in Clarivate Analytics Web of Science database.
