Integrating Annual Winter Cereals and Red Clover into the Corn Production System.

Integrating Annual Winter Cereals and Red Clover into the Corn Production System to Stimulate Biofuel Biomass Production Pavani Tumbalama, Kurt D. Thelena*, Kaitlyn Harda and Dale R. Mutcha aPlant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Department, Michigan State University, 1066 Bogue St., East Lansing 48824. Abstract: Cellulosic ethanol production is now being conducted on a commercial scale, with two production facilities using corn stover as a feedstock currently operating in Emmetsburg and Nevada, IA. Winter annual cereal cover crops such as cereal rye, wheat or triticale could provide a corn grower significant spring biomass for cellulosic ethanol. Cereal rye and triticale provide more rapid growth in the spring as compared to wheat. Red clover has been successfully established in corn systems, but has not been utilized in this manner to date. The objectives of this project are to: 1. Develop an environmentally sound biomass system using winter annual cereals or a legume for year-round ground cover. 2. Evaluate the total biomass and biofuel yield. 3. Evaluate net ecosystem carbon and energy balance, and net revenue of each system. For the experimental design, four treatments were evaluated in two locations (E. Lansing and KBS) over two crop cycles (2012-13; 2013-14) using a randomized complete block design with four replications: 1. Whole plant corn, no cover crop; 2. Whole plant corn, cereal rye; 3. Whole plant corn, triticale; 4. Whole Plant corn, red clover + oilseed radish (2013-14 cycle only). Incorporating cover crops into the corn ethanol system can decrease soil and nutrient losses while increasing total biomass and biofuel yield. Properly managed, cover crop systems will benefit a farmer’s net ecosystem carbon footprint and energy balance. Integrating a harvestable biomass cover crop into whole corn plant-based cropping systems provides growers with an additional profit opportunity.