Effect of Fertilization on the Energy Profit of Tall Wheatgrass and Reed Canary Grass

Abstract

Cultivation of energy crops is a part of modern agriculture. In particular, maize (Zea mays L.) is widely grown in central Europe. However, in terms of erosion risk and high demands on fertilization and protection against diseases and pests, its growing is not environmentally friendly. Therefore, possibilities of utilization of other more environmentally friendly energy crops have been examined at present. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of various fertilization (mineral, digestate, control) on the yields of tall wheatgrass (TWG) (Elymus elongatus subsp. ponticus) and reed canary grass (RCG) (Phalaris arundinacea L.) cultivated in a long-term field experiment on the experimental site in Czech Republic. The energy profit from cultivation of these crops and its protective anti-erosion effect were evaluated. The average yields ranged from 4.6 (RCG, mineral fertilization) to 7.4 t/ha (TWG, digestate fertilization). The more profitable species was tall wheatgrass, the biomass of which also had the higher heating value. The energy profit ranged from 80 GJ/ha (RCG, control variant and mineral fertilization) to 133 GJ/ha (TWG, digestate and mineral fertilization). It has been found that the tested plants excel in anti-erosion effect and could therefore be a suitable alternative to maize, especially in less-favored areas.