Assessing the availability of crop stubble as a potential biofuel resource
Date
2008
Authors
Dunlop, M.
Poulton, P.
Unkovich, M.
Baldock, J.
Herr, A.
Poole, M.
O'Connell, D.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Conference paper
Citation
Global Issues, Paddock Action: Proceedings of 14th Agronomy Conference, 21-25 September 2008, Adelaide, South Australia / M. Unkovich (ed.): PP. 1-5
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Conference Name
Australian Society of Agronomy Conference (14th: 2008 : Adelaide, Australia)
Abstract
In many crops over half the above-ground biomass is not currently harvested and could be used as a feedstock for biofuel production. There is little published information about stubble production, and the implications of harvesting it. We use a survey of field trials reporting Harvest Index (HI), ABS production statistics and APSIM simulations to assess how much biomass might be available in different regions and what factors might affect stubble production. Although HI does vary between years and regions, it does appear that robust spatial estimates of stubble production can be obtained from grain production data and HI. In many farming systems some stubble will be left to maintain soil cover, input to soil carbon or animal feed. The amount of stubble potentially available for harvesting is considerably less than the total stubble production, and the amount likely to be worth harvesting on a regional basis will be even smaller.
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Copyright 2008 Australian Society of Agronomy