Biomass and potential energy yield of perennial woody energy crops under reduced planting spacing

Author(s)

Schwerz, Felipe ^[1] ; Dourado Neto, Durval ^[2] ; Caron, Braulio Otomar ^[3] ; Nardini, Claiton ^[4] ; Sgarbossa, Jaqueline ^[3] ; Eloy, Elder ^[4] ; Behling, Alexandre ^[5] ; Elli, Elvis Felipe ^[6] ; Reichardt, Klaus ^[7]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Lavras, Dept Agr Engn, BR-37200000 Lavras, MG - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz Coll Agr ESALQ, Dept Crop Sci, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Santa Maria, Dept Agron & Environm Sci, Frederico Westphalen Campus, BR-98400000 Frederico Westphalen, RS - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Santa Maria, Dept Forest Engn, Frederico Westphalen Campus, BR-98400000 Frederico Westphalen, RS - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Parana, Dept Forest Sci, BR-80060000 Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Luiz de Queiroz Coll Agr ESALQ, Dept Biosyst Engn, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[7] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Nucl Energy Agr, BR-13400970 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: RENEWABLE ENERGY; v. 153, p. 1238-1250, JUN 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

Woody biomass can be used for supplying energy as a strategy to mitigate climate change and increase energy security by reducing the dependency on fossil fuels. The aims of this study were: (i) to evaluate the biomass production for energy generation; and (ii) to determine the leaf area index, solar radiation interception and mean annual increment of three perennial woody crops Eucalyptus grandis, Mimosa scabrella and Ateleia glazioviana, grown under four planting spacings in Southern Brazil. A field experiment was conducted from September 2008 to September 2018 in Frederico Westphalen, Brazil. The above-belowground woody biomass was determined by the destructive method. Also, the solar radiation interception, leaf area index, potential energy yield, biomass yield and partitioning were evaluated. Findings have shown that the highest biomass yield and potential energy yield were obtained in the planting spacing (2.0 x 1.5 m) for the Eucalyptus grandis. Among the woody species studied, the Eucalyptus grandis was the one that presented the largest potential to produce biomass for energy, followed by Mimosa scabrella and Ateleia glazioviana. Therefore, reduced planting spacings should be recommended for woody energy crops plantations, changing the planting spacing pattern (3.0 x 1.5 m) used by the majority of the forest producers. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/06023-6 - Energetic forest modeling: management strategies to mitigate the impact of variability and climate change on forest growth and productivity
• Grantee: Felipe Schwerz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate