Evaluation of growth, yield and calorific value of Miscanthus x giganteus (Poaceae) biomass established in south central of Chile

Abstract

Experimental crops of Miscanthus x giganteus were planted in three contrasting sites in Chile's south central to evaluate its growth and energy potential. In the second year of growth, the crop exhibited large differences amongsites regarding height (52.1 to 158.2 cm), biomass yield (1.1 to 9.0 Mg ha-1), ash content (3.8 to 9.6%) and calorific value (16.64 to 18.14 MJ kg-1). The chemical composition of the biomass indicated cellulose 36%, hemicellulose 22.3% and lignin 26.9%. Elemental analysis indicated C and H content of 41.9% and 6.6% respectively. Therefore, Miscanthus x giganteus offers suitable attributes to be used for energy generation in Chile.

Description

Los autores agradecen el apoyo del Fondo de Fomento al Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico (Proyecto FONDEF B09i 1008). El trabajo de la Ingeniera Forestal Cynthia Labraña y de los estudiantes de Ingeniería Forestal de la Universidad de Concepción María Eugenia Hinojosa y Oscar González. La colaboración de los investigadores Dr. Salvatore Cosentino de la Universidad de Catania (Italia), Dr. Manuel Bao y Dr. Juan Luis Fernández de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (España), y del Laboratorio de Micropropagación de la Escuela Politécnica Superior de Lugo de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela.

Keywords

biomass, wood energy, crops for wood energy, renewable energy

Citation

Muñoz, F., Cancino , . J., Rodríguez, R., & Olave, R. (2018). Evaluation of growth, yield and calorific value of Miscanthus x giganteus (Poaceae) biomass established in south central of Chile. Revista De La Facultad De Ciencias Agrarias UNCuyo, 50(1), 47–60. Retrieved from https://revistas.uncu.edu.ar/ojs3/index.php/RFCA/article/view/3002

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