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Fluid Fertilizer’S Role In Sustaining Soils Used For Bio-Energy Feedstock Production, John L. Kovar, Douglas L. Karlen

Douglas L Karlen

The use of corn (Zea mays L.) as a bio-energy feedstock has attracted the attention of many producers. Recently, the focus has shifted from grain-based to cellulose-based ethanol production. In addition to biological conversion of corn stover to ethanol, thermal conversion (pyrolysis) of stover is being explored. Regardless of post-harvest processing, the short- and long-term effects of both increasing grain yields and removing stover on soil nutrient cycling, physical properties, and biological activity must be understood to ensure that soil productivity and ecosystem services are maintained. Our objectives for 2010 were to evaluate: (i) the use of surface or …

Fluid Fertilizer’S Role In Sustaining Soils Used For Bio-Fuels Production, John L. Kovar, Douglas L. Karlen

Douglas L Karlen

Fast pyrolysis is optimized for production of bio-oil. Product yields are typically ~65% bio-oil, 20% biochar, 15% syngas.

Project Objective

To investigate N, P, K, and S dynamics in a comprehensive residue removal, tillage, and nutrient management study

Project Treatments

*Residue removal: 0, 50%, 90%

*Tillage: chisel plow, no-till

*Nutrient management: conventional (30K plants/A), high input (44K plants/A)

•Bio-char: 0, 4.32 tons/A, 8.25 tons/A

•Cover crops: annual, perennial

2009 Soil Test Levels

2009 Nutrient Management

Field Measurements

•Stand counts

•Whole-plant samples at V6

•Ear-leaf samples at mid-silk

•Grain yield and moisture

•Stover yield and moisture

•Grain and stover nutrient content

Corn Stover Nutrient Removal Estimates For Central Iowa, Usa, Douglas Karlen, John Kovar, Stuart J. Birrell

Douglas L Karlen

One of the most frequent producer-asked questions to those persons striving to secure sustainable corn (Zea mays L.) stover feedstock supplies for Iowa’s new bioenergy conversion or other bio-product facilities is “what quantity of nutrients will be removed if I harvest my stover?” Our objective is to summarize six years of field research from central Iowa, U.S.A. where more than 600, 1.5 m2 samples were collected by hand and divided into four plant fractions: vegetative material from the ear shank upward (top), vegetative material from approximately 10 cm above the soil surface to just below the ear (bottom), cobs, and …