Title:
Effect of Field Drying by Conditioning and Windrowing on the Quality of Sorghum Biomass
Author(s):
Barro, R., Rovira, L., Maletta, E., Salvadó, A., Ciria, P., del Val, A., Fernández, M.J., Camps, F., Serra, J., Carrasco, J.E.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of repeated windrowing using a wheel rake on the quality of two varieties of sorghum biomass considering its further combustion. Biomass yield and the influence of windrowing were evaluated when sorghum was mowed at two phenological stages, an early cut during the stage of panicle initiation and later on, when the grains were in a dough development stage. Tests were simultaneously performed by triplicate in small experimental units and in a larger demonstration plot of 2 ha. A delay of one month in mowing led to a remarkable increase in dry matter (d.m.) yield from 8-10 to 12-14 t d.m. ha-1. When biomass was cut, moisture content was as high as 70-80%. After 15 days, moisture was reduced to 15-25% with repeated windrowing, though minimum achievable moisture and minimum duration of field drying are highly dependent on meteorological conditions in the production area during the drying process. Mean ash content of biomass increased slightly (<1.5%ash) after repeated windrowing while the rest of quality properties were not affected.
Keywords:
harvesting, moisture, quality, sorghum bicolor L. Moench, ashes, chemical composition
Topic:
Biomass Resources
Subtopic:
Energy crops and energy grasses
Event:
20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1CO.12.3
Pages:
242 - 251
ISBN:
978-88-89407-54-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/20thEUBCE2012-1CO.12.3
Price:
FREE
