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Insights into Agronomic Practices for a Sustainable Exploitation of Bioenergy...
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Insights into Agronomic Practices for a Sustainable Exploitation of Bioenergy Perennial Grasses

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Grassland and Pasture Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 October 2021) | Viewed by 12446

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Danilo Scordia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
University of Catania
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Giorgio Testa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Interests: agronomy; field crop; perennial grasses; biomass crops; bioenergy; sustainable crop production

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bioenergy perennial grasses have been recommended as crops resilient to various abiotic stresses, with quality traits suitable to a wide spectrum of bioconversion routes. Some of them, like giant reed, miscanthus, switchgrass, and ryegrass, have been listed in the European RED II as non-food, cellulosic feedstock to lay the ground for the transition towards advanced biofuels and biomaterial, and minimize the overall direct and indirect land-use change impacts. However, most of them are still undomesticated plants with great potential for agronomic trait improvements. Therefore, the optimization of agronomic practices or innovative cropping systems to improve the overall sustainability of the production chain is still required. This Special Issue focuses on agronomic practices to improve bioenergy perennial grass outputs under varying stress conditions, breeding, physiology, crop modeling, and bioconversions to overcome the main drawbacks for sustainable raw material exploitation in view of a circular economy and to deliver ecosystem services. All types of articles, such as original research, opinions, and reviews, are welcome. Replicated experiments, whether in open field or in controlled environments, should be performed at least twice (at least two years or two locations) to account for environmental variation and/or genotype × environment interactions. 

Dr. Danilo Scordia
Prof. Giorgio Testa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Abiotic stress
  • Advanced biofuel
  • Bioethanol/biogas/biomethane/biomaterials
  • Biomass yield
  • Lignocellulose
  • Climate change
  • Ecosystem services
  • Marginal land
  • Resilience
  • Sustainability

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1339 KiB  
Article
Advanced Biomethane Production from Biologically Pretreated Giant Reed under Different Harvest Times
by Alessandra Piccitto, Danilo Scordia, Sebastiano Andrea Corinzia, Salvatore Luciano Cosentino and Giorgio Testa
Agronomy 2022, 12(3), 712; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy12030712 - 16 Mar 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 1932
Abstract
Increasing energy demands and fossil fuel consumption causing global warming has motivated research to find alternative energy sources such as biofuels. Giant reed (Arundo donax L.), a lignocellulosic, perennial, rhizomatous grass has been proposed as an important bioenergy crop for advanced biofuel [...] Read more.
Increasing energy demands and fossil fuel consumption causing global warming has motivated research to find alternative energy sources such as biofuels. Giant reed (Arundo donax L.), a lignocellulosic, perennial, rhizomatous grass has been proposed as an important bioenergy crop for advanced biofuel in the Mediterranean area. Anaerobic digestion for advanced biomethane seems to be a promising approach. However, the presence of lignin in lignocellulosic biomass represents the main obstacle to its production (due to its recalcitrance). Thus, to use effectively lignocellulosic biomass in anaerobic digestion, one or more pretreatment steps are needed to aid microorganisms access to the plant cell wall. To this end, the present study investigated the effect of fungal pretreatment of giant reeds obtained from two different harvesting time (autumn and winter) on biomethane production by anaerobic digestion using two white rot fungi (Pleurotus ostreatus and Irpex lactus, respectively). The highest biomass lignin degradation after 30 days incubation with P. ostreatus in both autumn (27.1%) and winter (31.5%) harvest time. P. ostreatus pretreatment showed promising results for anaerobic digestion of giant reed achieving a cumulative yield of 130.9 NmL g−1 VS for the winter harvest, whereas I. lacteus showed a decrease in methane yield as compared with the untreated biomass (77.4 NmL g−1 VS and 73.3 NmL g−1 VS for winter and autumn harvest, respectively). I. lacteus pretreatment resulted in a loss of both holocellulose and lignin, indicating that this strain was less selective than P. ostreatus. Further studies are necessary to identify white rot fungi more suitable to lignocellulosic biomass and optimize biological pretreatment conditions to reduce its duration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights into Agronomic Practices for a Sustainable Exploitation of Bioenergy Perennial Grasses)
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14 pages, 1029 KiB  
Article
Lignocellulosic Biomass Production and Persistence of Perennial Grass Species Grown in Mediterranean Marginal Lands
by Daniel Sacristán, Josep Cifre, Miquel Llompart, Jaume Jaume and Javier Gulias
Agronomy 2021, 11(10), 2060; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11102060 - 14 Oct 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1520
Abstract
Biomass production in marginal lands represents one of the most challenging and promising alternatives to sustainably produce biofuels. Native species seem to be the most adequate option to obtain a profitable output when low-input techniques are applied, and biomass is grown in depleted [...] Read more.
Biomass production in marginal lands represents one of the most challenging and promising alternatives to sustainably produce biofuels. Native species seem to be the most adequate option to obtain a profitable output when low-input techniques are applied, and biomass is grown in depleted soils and harsh climatic conditions. In this study, a 5-year field trial in the island of Majorca served to investigate different autochthonous and naturalized Mediterranean perennial grasses as novel candidate lignocellulosic bioenergy crops for the semi-arid Mediterranean area and compare them with commercial ones (both Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean). Species and growing season had a significant effect on biomass production, perennialism and biomass quality. Arundo donax (winter crops) and Piptatherum miliaceum (autumn crops) performed better than the commercial species tested (Panicum virgatum for winter crops and Festuca arundinacea for autumn crops) in biomass production and perennialism. In terms of biomass quality, Panicum virgatum was the best species, having high structural content (mainly cellulose and hemicellulose), low non-structural content and the lowest ash. However, Ampelodesmos mauritanicus and Arundo donax rendered similar results, with no significant difference in terms of cellulose production for this latter but with higher lignin content. For the autumn species, Festuca arundinacea was the species with the best biomass quality but with the highest ash production for all the species considered. Hence, both for winter or autumn regimes, native or naturalized plants seem to be better suited than the commercial commonly used for biomass production with energy-producing purposes. Further research must be conducted in terms of seed biology and physiology, seedbed preparation methods, sowing time, seedling density and weed control before they can firmly be proposed as adequate alternatives for energy purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights into Agronomic Practices for a Sustainable Exploitation of Bioenergy Perennial Grasses)
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15 pages, 2193 KiB  
Article
Seasonal Dynamics of Dry Matter Accumulation and Nutrients in a Mature Miscanthus × giganteus Stand in the Lower Silesia Region of Poland
by Michal Mos, Paul R. H. Robson, Sam Buckby, Astley F. Hastings, Waldemar Helios, Anna Jama-Rodzeńska, Andrzej Kotecki, Dorota Kalembasa, Stanisław Kalembasa, Marcin Kozak, Kazimierz Chmura, Magdalena Serafin-Andrzejewska and John Clifton-Brown
Agronomy 2021, 11(8), 1679; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11081679 - 23 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2059
Abstract
Biomass from M. × giganteus has great promise for use within the bioeconomy sectors, but to maximise environmental benefits, crops must produce high yields while minimising energetically costly inputs. Complex interactions between soil conditions, climatic variations, plant maturity and genotype influence yields and [...] Read more.
Biomass from M. × giganteus has great promise for use within the bioeconomy sectors, but to maximise environmental benefits, crops must produce high yields while minimising energetically costly inputs. Complex interactions between soil conditions, climatic variations, plant maturity and genotype influence yields and nutrient dynamics, which in turn impacts crop sustainability. To investigate the flux of growth and nutrients in response to a changing environment, M. × giganteus was grown in southwest Poland and sampled monthly (June–November) from 2010 to 2012. Measurements examined the interaction between plant growth and leaf development, and nutrient (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) concentrations of rhizomes, stems and leaves. The three growth years studied were markedly different for growth and meteorological conditions. Between 2010 and 2011, above ground biomass yield increased significantly from 16.5 ± 0.4 t ha−1 to 20.1 ± 0.5 t ha−1. The 2012 rhizome weights at the beginning of the growth season were halved due to extreme frost; however, resulting yield was similar (19.9 ± 0.6 5 t ha−1). Final yield from all three years were successfully predicted using MISCANFOR, and modelling indicated crop yield was water-limited. The seasonal flux of N and K from rhizome to stems and leaves then back to the rhizome at the onset of senescence was as expected in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, no such trend was evident especially for N suggesting different macronutrient sources from rhizome and soil improves the resilience of perennial crop yield across a range of diverse growth conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights into Agronomic Practices for a Sustainable Exploitation of Bioenergy Perennial Grasses)
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6 pages, 791 KiB  
Communication
Characterization of Different Arundo donax L. Clones from the Mediterranean Region
by Elena Sánchez, Gladys Lino, Xavier Serrat and Salvador Nogués
Agronomy 2021, 11(7), 1347; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11071347 - 30 Jun 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1753
Abstract
The present study assessed the behavior of four clones of Arundo donax L. (giant reed) as a perennial rhizomatous grass of increasing interest due to its high biomass production and great adaptability to stress conditions. In this study, a molecular, physiological, and biomass [...] Read more.
The present study assessed the behavior of four clones of Arundo donax L. (giant reed) as a perennial rhizomatous grass of increasing interest due to its high biomass production and great adaptability to stress conditions. In this study, a molecular, physiological, and biomass characterization was performed in greenhouse conditions on four Mediterranean clones. The majority of physiological and biomass parameters were not significantly different between clones. However, it was possible to observe large differences in the chromosome count for the four clones. In this way, we detected different numbers of chromosomes for each clone (98 to 122), but surprisingly, no correlation was observed between their chromosome numbers and their physiological and biomass responses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights into Agronomic Practices for a Sustainable Exploitation of Bioenergy Perennial Grasses)
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14 pages, 1553 KiB  
Article
Life Cycle Assessment of Biomass Production from Lignocellulosic Perennial Grasses under Changing Soil Nitrogen and Water Content in the Mediterranean Area
by Danilo Scordia, Giuseppina Marina D’Agosta, Mariadaniela Mantineo, Giorgio Testa and Salvatore Luciano Cosentino
Agronomy 2021, 11(5), 988; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11050988 - 16 May 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2005
Abstract
Low iLUC risk feedstocks, such as lignocellulosic no-food crops, have been indicated as sustainable crops for the transition to a bio-based economy. Given the high output to input ratio and the environmental benefits that can be obtained from renewable heat production replacing fossil [...] Read more.
Low iLUC risk feedstocks, such as lignocellulosic no-food crops, have been indicated as sustainable crops for the transition to a bio-based economy. Given the high output to input ratio and the environmental benefits that can be obtained from renewable heat production replacing fossil fuels, the present study addressed the biomass yield, CO2-sequestration, and life cycle assessment of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) and miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deuter) growing under different soil water availability and nitrogen fertilization for three consecutive growing seasons in a semiarid Mediterranean environment. Giant reed outperformed miscanthus, showed a higher CO2-sequestration and a lower overall environmental impact. In case of both crops, the irrigation effect was significant, while the one of nitrogen fertilization was not apparent. While giant reed responded positively to reduced irrigation, compared to its highest level, as the plantation became older, miscanthus needed high water volume to get most out its potential yield. Nonetheless, the growing season had also a significant effect on both crops, mainly when low yields were achieved following the establishment year. Unlike the environmental benefits in the impact categories “non-renewable energy use” and “global warming potential”, environmental burdens concerning ozone depletion, acidification, and eutrophication were observed, indicating that further improvements of the evaluation of impact assessment associated with bioenergy production might be necessary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights into Agronomic Practices for a Sustainable Exploitation of Bioenergy Perennial Grasses)
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Review

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9 pages, 734 KiB  
Review
Arundo donax L.: How High Photosynthetic Capacity Is Maintained under Water Scarcity Conditions
by Elena Sánchez, Pablo Rivera-Vargas, Xavier Serrat and Salvador Nogués
Agronomy 2021, 11(6), 1089; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy11061089 - 27 May 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2279
Abstract
Arundo donax L. (giant reed) is a perennial rhizomatous grass and has been identified as an important non-food biomass crop with capacity for cultivation in marginal and degraded lands where water scarcity conditions frequently occur due to climate change. This review analyzes the [...] Read more.
Arundo donax L. (giant reed) is a perennial rhizomatous grass and has been identified as an important non-food biomass crop with capacity for cultivation in marginal and degraded lands where water scarcity conditions frequently occur due to climate change. This review analyzes the effect of water stress on photosynthetic capacity and biomass production in multiple giant reed ecotypes grown in different regions around the world. Furthermore, this review will attempt to explain the reason for the high photosynthetic capacity of giant reed even under changing environmental conditions as well as indicate other morphological reasons that could contribute to maintaining this high photosynthetic rate. Finally, future research in favor of selecting ecotypes with drought tolerance is proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights into Agronomic Practices for a Sustainable Exploitation of Bioenergy Perennial Grasses)
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