Cell Wall Characterization Methods for Use in Bioenergy Sorghum Cropping Systems.

Comparison of Three Biomass Characterization Methods for Bioenergy Sorghum

P. T. Graham, J. P. Wight, L Hoffman Jr, J. L. Foster, C. A. Masiello, W. L. Rooney, and F. M. Hons,

Abstract: The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandates that renewable fuel production increases from 34 billion l yr^-1 to 136 billion l yr^-1 by 2022.� High biomass photoperiod-sensitive sorghum (bioenergy sorghum) [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] has shown promise for use as a biofuel feedstock in response to this demand.� The cell wall characteristics of herbage mass are important for plant residue decomposition and biofuel conversion processes.� Cell wall characterization can be performed through a variety of methods, including near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, or Van Soest's detergent fiber analysis.� The goal of this research was to evaluate and compare cell wall components measured with these three methods across eighteen bioenergy sorghum production treatments.� Eighty-eight samples were taken from an ongoing study near College Station, Texas.� Sorghum was produced under the following factorial treatments: tillage (conventional and ridge-till), rotation (continuous biomass sorghum and biannual rotation with corn [Zea mays L.]), biomass return (0, 25, and 50% of the sorghum biomass or all corn stover returned), mineral return (100% of plant content returned) and N rate (0, 84, 168, 252, 280, or 336 kg ha^-1.). �We will evaluate these three cell wall characterization methods across a range of treatments, allowing their accuracy and precision to be better elucidated.� This should allow the role that cropping system management plays in influencing the cell wall characteristics of bioenergy sorghum as a biofuel feedstock to be discussed.� ��