Influence of fertilisation and harvest time on fuel quality of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) in central Italy
2010
Nassi o Di Nasso, N. | Angelini, L.G. | Bonari, E.
The perennial grass giant reed (Arundo donax L.) has been proposed as a promising biomass energy crop in southern Europe. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two fertilisation levels (F=200-80-200 N-P-Kkgha⁻¹; UF=0-0-0 N-P-Kkgha⁻¹) and two harvest times (A: autumn, W: winter) on the biomass quality of giant reed as a solid fuel for combustion. Different aged crops grown in central Italy (latitude 43°40′N, and longitude10°19′E) in the period of 1996-2005 were collected and analysed. Our results confirmed that giant reed biomass is characterized by a high content of ash and silicon. Giant reed showed an increase in ash content from F to UF and from A to W. The production of biomass from fertilised crops harvested in the autumn may thus be a good method for reducing the ash content by about 20%. The results also showed an improvement in biomass combustion quality in 10-year-old crops due to a lower ash content and higher SiO₂/K₂O and CaO/K₂O ratios, which could contribute to a lower slagging tendency. This research should help to improve our knowledge of the chemical composition of giant reed and presents possible agronomic strategies to combine a high biomass yield with good combustion quality.
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