Regional Feedstock Partnership 211 Switchgrass Report Vance Owens and Chang Oh Hong Indianapolis, IN13-15 March 212 Field trial PIs: D. Bransby and C. Hopkins (AL), E. Heaton (IA), R. Farris (OK), R. Mitchell (NE), D. Viands and H. Mayton (NY), J. Fike (VA) Sustainability Pis: C. Hong, S. Osborne, M. Lehman, D. Clay, T. Schumacher
Overall switchgrass objective Assess yield potential and quality parameters of switchgrass grown in different environments using standard agricultural practices
Long-term persistence Biomass yield (ton/ha) 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 Cave-In-Rock Year Sunburst 2 21 22 23 CIR DAC SBS
Switchgrass field trial locations and PIs 28 Alabama David Bransby, Carla Hopkins New York Don Viands, Hilary Mayton Oklahoma Rodney Farris South Dakota Vance Owens (sustainability site: Chang Oh Hong, Shannon Osborne ARS, Mike Lehman ARS, Tom Schumacher, Dave Clay) Virginia John Fike 29 Iowa Emily Heaton Nebraska Rob Mitchell ARS (without common treatments)
Switchgrass Trial Information Location Cultivar Planting Date Area (ha) Alabama Alamo May 21 7.3 Oklahoma Blackwell 2 Sep 28 7.3 New York Cave-In-Rock 29 May 28 4.9 South Dakota Sunburst 17 May 28 9.7 Virginia Alamo 1 July 28 6. Iowa Cave-In-Rock 8 May 29 7.3 Nebraska Shawnee 5 May 26 22.7
Field Trial Experimental Design Field scale (.4 to.8 ha experimental units) Four replicates across landscape Nitrogen (, 56, 112 kg ha -1 ) applied in 29 and 21 to all sites established in 28 or 29 NE location did not have N treatments Locally adapted cultivar at each location Planting at Ames, IA 8 May 29
Alabama Switchgrass common trial location diversity Oklahoma Virginia Iowa New York South Dakota
North Central Sunburst Alamo Maturity differences Sunburst Alamo
Southeast lowland/upland
Data collection Initial soil characteristics utilizing minimum soil data set Total organic carbon; soil ph; Total N; Bulk density; Soiltest P and K Yield using standard equipment Subsamples from plots for chemical characterization Samples from windrow and/or from bales have been sent to INL Samples are also being analyzed locally for other estimates of biomass quality Other
Switchgrass harvest dates in 29, 21, and 211 Location 29 Harvest 21 Harvest 211 Harvest Area (ha) Alabama NA NA 13 Oct. 7.3 Oklahoma 13 Nov. 28 Oct. 16 Dec. 7.3 New York 22 Oct. 2 Nov. 3 Nov. 4.9 South Dakota 28 Oct. 5 Nov. 3 Nov. 9.7 Virginia 1 Jan. 21 Jan. 211 18 Jan. 212 6. Iowa NA 18 Nov. 7 Nov. 7.3 Nebraska An/Re An/PF NA 22.7
Fertilizer application Bristol, SD 14 June 211 (7 ft boom)
Switchgrass establishment based on frequency method of Vogel and Masters (21) (OK exception) Frequency (Plants/m 2 ) Frequency (%) 1 9 3 8 7 6 25 5 4 3 2 2 1 15 9 8 7 1 6 5 4 5 3 2 1 29 21 29 21 SD VA 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 11256 112 N application N rate (kg (kg N ha N -1 ha ) -1 ) OK NY IA
Switchgrass establishment Bristol, SD 7 Aug. 29 Bristol, SD 12 Aug. 21 Bristol, SD 11 Aug. 211
Switchgrass harvest Virginia 21 Ithaca, NY 22 October 29 Bristol, SD 3 November 211 Virginia 21
Field scale operations (Bristol, SD in 21)
Switchgrass response to N at common treatment locations (IA, NY, OK, SD, VA) and harvest timing at NE Yields ranged from ~2 to 11 Mg ha -1 across common treatment locations and years Initial soil nitrogen (g kg -1 ) -5 cm 5-15 cm 15-3 cm SD 1.93 1.55 1.4 NY 3.2 2.29 1.8 IA 2.53 2.26 1.86 OK 2.39 1.68 1.17 VA 1.12.55.41 Field Scale Yield (Nebraska) (Mg/ha) Year Anthesis Post-Frost Regrowth 26-5.6-27 7.4 8.7 4.5 28 13.5 1.1 2.2 29 11.2-2.9 21 11.7 1.8 - Biomass yield (Mg ha -1 ) Biomass yield (Mg ha -1 ) Biomass yield (Mg ha -1 ) 13 12 11 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 13 12 11 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 11 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 b b 29 21 211 Average across years SD 56 112 56 112 a a IA OK 56 112 N application rate (kg N ha -1 ) a a 13 12 11 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 13 12 11 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a NY 56 112 b N application rate (kg N ha -1 ) VA 56 112 b a b a
Visual effect of N (SD in mid July 21) 112 56 112 56
Switchgrass biomass characteristics Sample collection at each location INL Local analysis Total N Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) used to estimate cellulose and hemicellulose Acid detergent lignin (ADL) Ash
N concentration in harvested switchgrass at each location N concentration (g N kg -1 ) 12 1 8 6 4 2 b 29 21 b a SD c b a NY 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 N concentration (g N kg -1 ) 12 1 8 6 4 2 IA OK VA 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 N application rate (kg N ha -1 )
Total N removal based on switchgrass production at each location Total N removal (kg N ha -1 ) 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 29 21 SD NY Total N removal (kg N ha -1 ) 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 56 112 56 112 IA 56 112 56 112 OK VA 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 N application rate (kg N ha -1 )
Fertilizer N removal by switchgrass at each location Fertilized N removal (kg N ha -1 ) 2 15 1 5-5 -1-15 Fertilized N removal (kg N ha -1 ) 2 15 1 5-5 -1-15 29 21 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 IA SD N application rate (kg N ha -1 ) 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 OK NY 56 112 56 112 VA
Apparent N recovery by switchgrass at each location Apparent N recovery (%) 3 29 21 2 1-1 SD NY -2 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 3 IA OK VA Apparent N recovery (%) 2 1-1 -2 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 N application rate (kg N ha -1 )
Switchgrass N use efficiency at each location NUE (kg biomass kg N -1 ) 6 5 4 3 2 1-1 29 21 SD NY NUE (kg biomass kg N -1 ) 6 5 4 3 2 1-1 -2 56 112 56 112 IA 56 112 56 112 OK VA -2 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 N application rate (kg N ha -1 )
Cellulose concentration in harvested switchgrass at each location Cellulose (g kg -1 ) 5 29 21 b 4 3 2 1 a b SD a b c NY 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 Cellulose (g kg -1 ) 5 4 3 2 1 IA OK VA 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 N application rate (kg N ha -1 )
Hemicellulose concentration in harvested switchgrass at each location Hemicellulose (g kg -1 ) 4 3 2 1 Hemicellulose (g kg-1) 4 3 29 21 b SD a ab a b c 2 1 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 IA OK VA a b ab 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 N application rate (kg N ha-1) NY
Lignin concentration in harvested switchgrass at each location Lignin (g kg -1 ) 1 8 6 4 2 29 21 SD b ab a NY Lignin (g kg -1 ) 1 8 6 4 2 56 112 56 112 IA 56 112 56 112 OK a ab b VA 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 N application rate (kg N ha -1 )
Ash concentration in harvested switchgrass at each location Ash (g kg -1 ) 2 16 12 8 4 a 29 21 ab b a b b SD NY 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 2 IA a OK VA Ash (g kg -1 ) 16 12 8 4 b ab ab a b 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 56 112 N application rate (kg N ha -1 )
Ethanol (L Mg -1 biomass, left; L ha -1, right) using simultaneous saccharification and fermentation 24 29 21 2 22 2 18 29 21 Ethanol (L Mg -1 DM) 16 12 8 Ethanol yield (L ha -1 ) 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 4 2 SD NY IA OK VA SD NY IA OK VA
Ethanol yield 22 2 29 21 18 Ethanol yield (L ha -1 ) 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 SD NY IA OK VA
Theoretical ethanol yield (L Mg -1 biomass, left; L ha -1, right) from all biomass sugars 5 5 29 21 45 29 21 Ethanol (L Mg -1 DM) 4 3 2 1 Theoretical ethanol yield (L ha -1 ) 4 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 SD NY IA OK VA SD NY IA OK VA
Theoretical ethanol yield 5 45 29 21 Theoretical ethanol yield (L ha -1 ) 4 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 SD NY IA OK VA
Harvest date and storage effects on switchgrass dry matter loss stored 12 months (NE) Bale & Storage August DM Loss Post Frost DM Loss Mean DM Loss Square (%) (%) (%) Open 37.8 42.5 4.2 Covered 4.9 2.7 3.8 Barn 11.8 5.9 Round 3x Open 13. 6.5 Covered 5.1 2.6 Barn 2.5 1.3 Round 4x Open 1.5 2.4 6.5 Covered 5.4 2.7 Barn 3.6.9 2.3
Switchgrass harvest (SD-211, top; NY-21, bottom)
Switchgrass root characteristics Switchgrass roots (right) in a Typic Fragiudept soil and root development in cool season grass alleyway (left) (NY).
Switchgrass root sampling (Bristol, SD) Switchgrass sampled at anthesis (August) Two cores within row Two cores between rows Soil sampling depths (cm) -15 15-3 3-45 45-6 6-1
Switchgrass root biomass at various depths the year after establishment (Bristol, SD) Root biomass (Mg ha -1 )..5 1. 1.5 2. 2.5 3. Soil depth (cm) 15 3 45 6 29 N rate kg N ha -1 N rate 112 kg N ha -1 1..5 1. 1.5 2. 2.5 3. 15 Soil depth (cm) 3 45 6 211 1
Total switchgrass root/shoot biomass ratio (Bristol, SD) 29 211 Biomass (Mg ha -1 ) 14 13 12 11 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Total root biomass at 1 m depth Shoot biomass.3.29 112 Biomass (Mg ha -1 ) 14 13 12 11 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1.34.43 112 N application rate (kg N ha -1 ) N application rate (kg N ha -1 )
Total soil nitrogen (Bristol, SD) Year 29 21 211 N rate (kg/ha) Soil depth (cm) -5 5-15 15-3 3-6 6-1 T-N (g/kg) 2.15 1.9 1.46.97.62 56 1.94 1.75 1.48.96 1.6 112 1.97 1.86 1.37.86.6 LSD.5 2.31 1.94 1.42 1.1.66 56 2.35 1.97 1.55 1.1.85 112 2.39 1.87 1.45 1.1.69 LSD.5 2.11 1.78 1.54.92.63 56 2.23 1.94 1.56 1.5.68 112 2.23 1.78 1.45.93.59 LSD.5
Leachate sampling from lysimeters placed 1 m deep (Bristol, SD)
Monthly NO 3 concentration in leacheate collected from lysimeters placed 1 m deep (Bristol, SD) NO3 concentration (mg L -1 ) 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 29 Aug. Sep. Oct. 4. 3.5 3. 2.5 2. 1.5 1..5. 21 N kg N ha -1 N 56 kg N ha -1 N 112 kg N ha -1 Jun. Jul. Sep. Oct. Nov. Month 211 May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct.
Cumulative NO 3 leaching during growing season (Bristol, SD) Cumulative NO3 leaching (kg N ha -1 ) 22 2 18 16 14 12 1 29 56 112 21 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 56 112 Nitrogen application rate (kg N ha -1 ) 211 56 112
Monthly DOC concentration in leachate (Bristol, SD) 29 21 211 DOC concentration (mg L -1 ) 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 N kg N ha -1 N 112 kg N ha -1 Aug. Sep. Oct. Jun. Jul. Sep. Oct. a b Jun. Aug. Sep. Oct. Month
CO 2 flux static chamber with readings every 2 min. (Bristol, SD)
CO 2 flux during growing season (29-211) CO 2 flux (g CO2 m -2 d -1 ) 24 2 16 12 8 4 7/1/9 8/1/9 9/1/9 1/1/9 11/1/9 6/1/1 7/1/1 8/1/1 9/1/1 1/1/1 11/1/1 5/1/11 6/1/11 7/1/11 8/1/11 9/1/11 1/1/11 11/1/11 29 21 211 Cumulative CO 2 flux (29-211) Cumulative CO 2 flux (g CO2 m -2 ) 15 14 13 12 11 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7/1/9 8/1/9 9/1/9 1/1/9 11/1/9 6/1/1 7/1/1 8/1/1 9/1/1 1/1/1 11/1/1 29 21 5/1/11 6/1/11 7/1/11 8/1/11 9/1/11 1/1/11 11/1/11 211
Cumulative CO 2 flux (29-211) Cumulative CO 2 flux (g CO2 m -2 ) 15 14 13 12 11 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 7/1/9 8/1/9 9/1/9 1/1/9 11/1/9 6/1/1 7/1/1 8/1/1 9/1/1 1/1/1 11/1/1 29 21 5/1/11 6/1/11 7/1/11 8/1/11 9/1/11 1/1/11 11/1/11 211
CO 2 flux measured every two weeks for each N treatment in 21 (Bristol, SD) CO 2 flux (point measurement) Cumulative CO 2 flux CO 2 flux (kg C ha -1 day -1 ) 14 kg N ha -1 12 1 8 6 4 2 56 kg N ha -1 112 kg N ha -1 Cumulative CO 2 flux (kg CO 2 -C ha -1 ) 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 kg N ha -1 56 kg N ha -1 112 kg N ha -1 5/1/1 6/1/1 7/1/1 8/1/1 9/1/1 1/1/1 11/1/1 21 5/1/1 6/1/1 7/1/1 8/1/1 9/1/1 1/1/1 11/1/1 21
CO 2 flux measured every two weeks for each N treatment in 21 (Bristol, SD) 14 kg N ha -1 12 56 kg N ha -1 112 kg N ha -1 CO 2 flux (kg C ha -1 day -1 ) 1 8 6 4 2 5/1/1 6/1/1 7/1/1 8/1/1 9/1/1 1/1/1 11/1/1 21
Cumulative CO 2 flux for each N treatment in 21 (Bristol, SD) Cumulative CO 2 flux (kg CO 2 -C ha -1 ) 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 kg N ha -1 56 kg N ha -1 112 kg N ha -1 5/1/1 6/1/1 7/1/1 8/1/1 9/1/1 1/1/1 11/1/1 21
Daily soil temperature (top) and moisture (bottom) at a 5-cm depth during growing season in South Dakota 3 Soil temperature ( o C) 25 2 15 1 5 Soil moisture content (m 3 water m -3 soil) 7/1/9 8/1/9 9/1/9 1/1/9 11/1/9 29.45.4.35.3.25.2.15.1.5. 7/1/9 8/1/9 9/1/9 1/1/9 11/1/9 29 6/1/1 7/1/1 8/1/1 9/1/1 1/1/1 5/1/11 6/1/11 7/1/11 8/1/11 9/1/11 1/1/11 11/1/11 21 211 6/1/1 7/1/1 8/1/1 9/1/1 1/1/111/1/1 6/1/11 7/1/11 8/1/11 9/1/11 1/1/11 11/1/11 21 211
Daily soil moisture (5 cm) during growing season in South Dakota Soil moisture content (m 3 water m -3 soil).45.4.35.3.25.2.15.1.5. 7/1/9 8/1/9 9/1/9 1/1/9 11/1/9 29 6/1/1 7/1/1 8/1/1 9/1/1 1/1/1 11/1/1 21 6/1/11 7/1/11 8/1/11 9/1/11 1/1/11 11/1/11 211
N 2 O and CH 4 measurements (Bristol, SD)
Cumulative N 2 O (left) and CH 4 (right) flux in 21 in SD. Values are averaged across summit and toeslope landscape positions. N 2 O flux (g N 2 O-N ha -1 ) 5 kg N ha -1 56 kg N ha -1 112 kg N ha 4-1 3 2 1 Cumulative CH 4 flux (g CH 4 -C ha -1 ) 6 5 4 3 2 1 kg N ha -1 56 kg N ha -1 112 kg N ha -1 May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. 21 5/1/1 6/1/1 7/1/1 8/1/1 9/1/1 1/1/1 11/1/1 21
Biweekly N 2 O flux (Bristol, SD) N 2 O flux (g N ha -1 day -1 ) 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1-1 kg N ha -1 56 kg N ha -1 112 kg N ha -1 5/1/1 6/1/1 7/1/1 8/1/1 9/1/1 1/1/1 11/1/1 21
Cumulative N 2 O flux (Bristol, SD) N 2 O flux (g N 2 O-N ha -1 ) 5 kg N ha -1 56 kg N ha -1 112 kg N ha 4-1 3 2 1 May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. 21
Biweekly CH 4 flux (Bristol, SD) 1 8 kg N ha -1 56 kg N ha -1 112 kg N ha -1 CH 4 flux (g C ha -1 day -1 ) 6 4 2-2 -4 5/1/1 6/1/1 7/1/1 8/1/1 9/1/1 1/1/1 11/1/1 21
Cumulative CH 4 flux (Bristol, SD) 6 Cumulative CH 4 flux (g CH 4 -C ha -1 ) 5 4 3 2 1 kg N ha -1 56 kg N ha -1 112 kg N ha -1 5/1/1 6/1/1 7/1/1 8/1/1 9/1/1 1/1/1 11/1/1 21
Major challenges thus far Establishment (AL) Weather/field conditions Economics
Outputs and outcomes Outputs Publications/presentations Professional meetings KDF input extension Farm Energy CoP Outcomes Improved C and N budgets for switchgrass (limited) Increased understanding of technical and economic feasibility of switchgrass for bioenergy across US Improved understanding of environmental implications and potential difficulties associated with growing switchgrass for bioenergy
212 tentative plans All sites will apply treatments and harvest biomass Biomass chemical composition Continue sustainability work at SD location Manuscripts prepared/submitted Two submissions to 212National Sun Grant Conference
Location-year data available at end of 212 if all common treatment sites (AL, IA, NY, OK, SD, VA) are able to harvest Location-years including establishment year 29 with crop failures (2) 27 without crop failures Location-years excluding establishment year = 21 Establishment years = 6 to 8 Crop failures = 2
Funding, activities, and KDF for 212-213 Appreciation for funding that got us to this point All sites will apply treatments and harvest biomass Biomass chemical composition Continue sustainability work at SD location 211 data to KDF (in SD now) Manuscripts prepared/submitted Two abstracts to 212 National Sun Grant Conference Location 212 Harvest 213 Soil sample AL Yes No IA No No NY No No OK No No SD Yes Yes VA Yes No
Funding, activities, and KDF for 212-213 All sites will apply treatments and harvest biomass Biomass chemical composition Continue sustainability work at SD location 211 data to KDF (in SD now) Manuscripts prepared/submitted Two abstracts to 212 National Sun Grant Conference Location 212 Harvest 213 Soil sample $ needed to complete AL Yes No $15, IA No No $21, NY No No $11,1 OK No No $15, SD Yes Yes $1,* VA Yes No $16,6 Total $88,7