104(2)_str13

ISSN 1392-3196 / e-ISSN 2335-8947
Zemdirbyste-Agriculture, vol. 104, No. 2 (2017), p. 99–106
DOI  10.13080/z-a.2017.104.013

Artemisia dubia growth, yield and biomass characteristics for combustion

Žydrė KADŽIULIENĖ, Vita TILVIKIENĖ, Inga LIAUDANSKIENĖ, Lina POCIENĖ, Živilė ČERNIAUSKIENĖ, Egidijus ZVICEVICIUS, Algirdas RAILA

Abstract

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the use of agricultural biomass for energy purpose in many northern countries. This has created demand for novel, high biomass yielding, specific quality crops for sustainable use. The aim of the current study was to examine Artemisia dubia Wall. for biomass yield and biomass characteristics important for combustion in the temperate climate conditions. The crops were grown on an Endocalcari-Epihypogleyic Cambisol (CMg-p-w-can) without fertilization and with mineral nitrogen fertilization at 90 and 170 kg ha-1 N rates. Nitrogen fertilization slightly increased plant height and accumulation of biomass. Moisture content in the biomass of swards applied with a higher rate of mineral N decreased more slowly compared with the lower rate. Biomass annual yield in the second and third years ranged from 15.8 to 17.1 t ha-1; however, significant effect of nitrogen fertilization was not observed. Nitrogen fertilization had a significant influence on N content and lignin in the biomass. The variation of values of the elements relevant for combustion (carbon and sulphur) in the biomass was negligibly influenced by nitrogen fertilization. The relatively low ash content and heating value, amounting to 8.5 MJ kg-1 achieved even without nitrogen fertilization, makes A. dubia a promising energy crop in the northern part of the temperate climate zone. More studies and analyses on A. dubia are needed to ascertain the fertilization effect on biomass yield, biomass quality and biomass properties for combustion in senescent plants.

Key words: ash, energy crops, fibre components, heating value, nitrogen fertilization.

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