Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
678632 Biomass and Bioenergy 2009 7 Pages PDF
Abstract

In order to improve qualitative traits of harvestable biomass and enhance its conversion into second generation biofuels (e.g. bioethanol), much attention should be paid to manage woody-energy plantations. This work represents an attempt to estimate chemical composition of biomass at stand level in poplar plantations. Based on the relationship between chemical traits of stem cross-sections and the corresponding distribution of diameter classes within the whole plantations, three different harvesting cycles were compared in terms of biomass yield and chemical composition. Under 2-year rotation, the stand showed the lower biomass annual yield (11.7 tDM ha−1 y−1) and the lower cellulose (42.5%) and the higher lignin (22%) proportion. On the contrary, under the 4-year cutting cycle, annual yield was not only higher (18.4 tDM ha−1 y−1), but the biomass also presented the highest cellulose (51.6%) and the lower lignin (19%) share. These results suggest that different management practices, including the cutting cycle, may affect not only yields but also qualitative traits of harvestable biomass of poplar short-rotation coppice.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemical Engineering Process Chemistry and Technology
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