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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Laboratory for Agriculture and The Environment » Soil, Water & Air Resources Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #303544
Title: Drought effects on composition and yield for corn stover, mixed grasses, and Miscanthus as bioenergy feedstocks

Author
item EMERSON, RACHEL - Idaho National Laboratory
item HOOVER, AMBER - Idaho National Laboratory
item RAY, ALLISON - Idaho National Laboratory
item LACEY, JEFFREY - Idaho National Laboratory
item CORTEZ, MARNIE - Idaho National Laboratory
item PAYNE, COURTNEY - National Renewable Energy Laboatory
item Karlen, Douglas
item BIRRELL, STUART - Iowa State University
item LAIRD, DAVID - Iowa State University
item KALLENBACH, ROBERT - University Of Missouri
item EGENOLF, JOSH - University Of Georgia
item SOUSEK, MATTHEW - University Of Nebraska
item VOIGT, THOMAS - University Of Illinois

Submitted to: Biofuels
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/5/2014
Publication Date: 5/1/2014
Citation: Emerson, R., Hoover, A., Ray, A., Lacey, J., Cortez, M., Payne, C., Karlen, D.L., Birrell, S., Laird, D., Kallenbach, R., Egenolf, J., Sousek, M., Voigt, T. 2014. Drought effects on composition and yield for corn stover, mixed grasses, and Miscanthus as bioenergy feedstocks. Biofuels. 5:275-291.

Interpretive Summary: Global demand for sustainable bioenergy feedstock supplies is increasing as cellulosic conversion facilities are built and made operational. Sustainable supplies of feedstock will be needed regardless of weather patterns so having information regarding effects of drought on feedstock yield and quality is very important for this developing industry. This study showed that: (1) drought had significant impacts on compositional quality of all three bioenergy feedstocks; (2) corn stover has an advantage over the other bioenergy feedstocks analyzed as the dry biomass yield was not negatively affected by the drought as in the other feedstocks; (3) despite the drought conditions, Miscanthus x giganteus still had higher overall high dry biomass yields; and (4) drought appears to be a significant risk factor affecting cellulosic bioenergy feedstock supply. This information will be extremely useful to those investing in bioenergy conversion facilities, researchers, and producers who will be asked to grow and provide the material.

Technical Abstract: Drought conditions in 2012 were some of the most severe in recent history. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of drought on quality, quantity, and theoretical ethanol yield (TEY) of three bioenergy feedstocks, corn stover, mixed perennial grasses from Conservation Reserve Program dedicated lands, and Miscanthus x giganteus. To assess drought effects on these feedstocks, samples from 2010 (an average precipitation yearminimal to no drought) and 2012 (severe, widespread drought) were compared from multiple locations in the U.S. In all feedstocks, drought significantly increased extractives and reduced structural sugars and lignin; subsequently, TEYs were reduced 10-15%. Biomass yields were significantly reduced for M. x giganteus and mixed grasses. When reduction in quality and quantity were combined, TEYs decreased 26-59%. Drought negatively affected biomass quality and quantity that resulted in significant TEY reductions. Such fluctuations in biomass quality and yield may have significant consequences for developing lignocellulosic biorefineries.