Paper details

Title:

Assessment of Soil Organic Carbon Capture of Giant Reed and Poplar SRC with Four Different N-fertilization Regimes

Author(s):

Ceotto, E., Castelli, F., Di Candilo, M.

Document(s):

Abstract:

The amount of SOC accumulated or released by the soil is a central issue in the sustainability of energy crops. The purpose of this study was to assess whether and how different N fertilization regimes influence SOC capture and total soil N content of two energy crops: the herbaceous perennial giant reed (Arundo donax L.) and the woody perennial hybrid poplar (Populus x canadiensis Moench) short rotation coppice (SRC). To explore this issue, two field experiments were conducted for 5 years in the low Po Valley, Northern Italy. Treatments annually applied were: i) no fertilization (control); ii) industrial fertilizers (IF), corresponding to 120 kg N ha-1 year-1, +52 kg P ha-1 iii) cattle slurry 10 mm, i.e., 10 L m-2 (CS10); and (iv) cattle slurry 20 mm, i.e., 20 L m-2 (CS20). The main conclusions are: i) the role of the perennial crops in increasing SOC is predominant compared to fertilization; ii) both giant reed and poplar accrued SOC not only in the most superficial soil layers, but also in the deeper layer 0.4-0.6 m; iii) poplar tends to enrich total N content in the soil even if not fertilized, while giant reed does not.

Keywords:

CO₂ capture, perennial energy crops, soil fertility, manure

Topic:

Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability

Subtopic:

Environmental impacts of bioenergy

Event:

24th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

4DO.2.4

Pages:

1390 - 1393

ISBN:

978-88-89407-165

Paper DOI:

10.5071/24thEUBCE2016-4DO.2.4

Price:

FREE