194-21 Switchgrass Biomass Yield Responses to Stand Density and Nitrogen Fertilization in Illinois.

Poster Number 215

See more from this Division: C03 Crop Ecology, Management & Quality
See more from this Session: Management of Bio-Energy and Other Crops
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Long Beach Convention Center, Exhibit Hall BC, Lower Level
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Allen Parrish1, Thomas Voigt1, Matthew Maughan1 and Dokyoung Lee2, (1)University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
(2)University of Illinois.edu, Champaign, IL
Switchgrass potential as a feedstock for biomass production is being evaluated for the best management practices in central Illinois.  An established switchgrass plot planted in 2004 was fertilized with urea and ESN-urea at five nitrogen rates (0, 56, 112, 158, and 224 kg N ha-1).  Plots were harvested during the peak summer maturity (7-15.5 Mg ha-1), after killing frost (4.5-10.5 Mg ha-1), and early spring (4.5-8.5 Mg ha-1) in order to evaluate the potential for biomass yield.  Yields showed a positive response to increasing N rates and a negative response over time.  Response to applied nitrogen indicates optimal application rates between 112 and 224 kg N ha-1 of urea. Harvest during the summer achieved maximum harvestable dry biomass.
See more from this Division: C03 Crop Ecology, Management & Quality
See more from this Session: Management of Bio-Energy and Other Crops