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Two studies conducted in Guadeloupe (West Indies) and Réunion (Indian Ocean) islands were designed to investigate the benefits of producing sugarcane as an energy crop and to assess the influence of agroclimatic factors on energy efficiency, respectively. In this context, it is essential to know the low heating value of the dry above-ground biomass (LHVd, MJ/kg) and its energy yield (EY, MJ/m2) in order to select the best varieties and set up a payment method for growers. Eighteen Poaceae (sugarcane and Erianthus) cultivars were compared under wet tropical environmental conditions in Guadeloupe. Three sugarcane cultivars were studied in four contrasting environments in Réunion. The partition sampling and biomass measurement procedures were identical at both locations. Low heating value (LHV) predictions were achieved using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) after specific calibration (Guadeloupe), or arithmetically after lignocellulosic compound prediction (Réunion). In both studies, LHV variability was very low and slightly dependent on the site, cultivar and above-ground biomass components (millable stalks and tops, and green and dead leaves). Considering the overall dry above-ground biomass (DAB, kg/m2), the LHVd was calculated by averaging 159 samples (mean 16.65 MJ/kg) in Guadeloupe and 315 samples (mean 16.45 MJ/kg) for Réunion. An excellent linear relationship between the DAB and its EY, regardless of cultivar, age and environment, was found (n = 474 and R² = 0.99). Sugarcane energy content assessment could thus be simplified by measuring the DAB, while enabling development of a faster method of payment for growers based on the DAB measurement and the correlation between DAB and EY. Finally, the findings of this study should allow growers to rapidly determine the commercial value of their sugarcane crops, and also enable purchasers to assess the amount of recoverable energy. (Résumé d'auteur)

Reducing agronomic input supply can significantly contribute to decrease the environmental impact of bioenergy cropping systems. Currently, there is a renewed industrial interest in non-food oil crops for different end-uses application. Among species from Brassica genus, Brassica carinata A. Braun is an interesting winter annual crop in warm and semi-arid environments and may provide a rotation alternative with cereal crops, sourcing non-edible oil for the industry, additional incomes to the farmers and soil benefits. The present study compared four Brassica carinata lines (GID-6165, GIP-6164, GID-6091, GID-6084) under two different organic fertilization levels (80 and 160 kg N ha-1) in a semiarid Mediterranean area. These four lines have not been tested in Southern Italy previously, nor under the present low-input cultivation practices in semiarid Mediterranean area. Main findings showed a significant fertilization effect (P=0.05), with the high-input providing higher seed yields and harvest index than low-input. There was no genotype effect, however, the gap between potential (i.e. seed yield at the programmed plant density) and actual yields was rather high for GID-6165 and GID-6080. On the other hand, genotype had the largest effect on the thousand seed weight and the residual biomass yield. In general, GID-6091 and GID-6165 reached seed physiological maturity earlier than GID-6084 and GID-6164 lines. The present study proved that improved B. carinata lines can be grown in semiarid Mediterranean area under low-input organic systems, providing satisfactory seed yields. However, seedbed preparation was noticed to be key to narrow the gap between potential and actual seed yield, particularly under the present clay soil. Proceedings of the 30th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 9-12 May 2022, Online, pp. 120-124

On behalf of the EURAF2020 Scientific and Organizing Committees, we are very pleased to introduce the rich collection of research on agroforestry illustrated in this book of abstracts and presented within the 5° European Agroforestry Conference. Unfortunately, as we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to meet only remotely, despite all the efforts of our local and national organizers to hold the conference in presence. We are conscious about the completely different dimension, which does not allow participants to meet, discuss and live the conference supported by an environment socially vibrant and rich of cross-cultural stimuli as the real Sardinia can offer. Nevertheless, in accordance with the mission of the European Agroforestry Federation, EURAF, to promote agroforestry knowledge, we wish to support the sharing of data presented and solicit a fruitful scientific confrontation on agroforestry issues. This book is the result of a long and rigorous work performed by the authors (about 230 abstracts sent from 5 continents and 37 countries) and members of the Scientific Committee. The book will be one of the tools supporting such confrontation we are glad to foster from the heart of the Mediterranean.

Sustainable agriculture leads today to important questions about the diversification of agricultural production and sources of income for farmers, the use of rural and arable land for food and non-food crops, the contribution of agriculture to climate change fighting and the supply of renewable energy. Bioenergy from agriculture is at the heart of these concerns, integrating sustainable development key components: environment and climate change, energy economics and energy supply, agriculture, rural and social development. The lack of primary and reliable data on bioenergy externalities from agriculture and the lack of decision-making tools are important non-technological barriers to the development of bioenergy from agriculture on a large scale, and, consequently, to the achievement of the national and regional objectives of sustainable development with respect to greenhouse gas mitigation, secure and diversified energy supply, rural development and employment and the future of agriculture. Furthermore, the recent worldwide controversies about transport biofuels, food shortages and increasing prices have demonstrated the urgent need for sustainability criteria applied to biofuels and bioenergy. Within this current sustainable development framework, a project entitled TEXBIAG integrating experts from 4 research institutions is financed by the Belgian Science Policy. The final objective of this project is to lead to an actual and significant contribution of bioenergy from agriculture to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, to a secure and diversified energy supply and to farmers' incomes and rural development. To reach this final objective, the project develops three specific tools: (1) a database of primary quantitative data related to environmental and socio-economic impacts of bioenergy from agriculture integrating biomass logistics; (2) a mathematical model monetizing bioenergy externalities from agriculture; and (3) a prediction tool assessing the impacts of political decisions made in the framework ofthe development of bioenergy from agriculture on different economic sectors (energy, agriculture, industry, and environment). An integrated interface tool will be programmed where access to and update of the three tools will be prepared. The project methodology will be conducted for a given number of scenarios with sensitivity analysis wherever possible. The three main target groups that will benefit from the project are: the government officials and policy makers in the field of agriculture, energy and environment in Belgium and its two main regions, the small, medium and large energy companies and the agricultural sector

In this experimental study, effects of the traditional and no-tillage systems on grain yield, energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were compared in winter wheat production in Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The CO2 emissions associated with direct fuel and lubricant oil consumptions have estimated according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) approach. The fuel consumptions per hectare were determined as 50.96 L and 13.1 L under traditional and no-tillage systems, respectively. The use of traditional system released 145.57 kgCO2 per hectare, while the no-tillage system released only 37.42 kgCO2 per hectare. Under traditional tillage system the plowing (79.3 kgCO2/ha) had a great influence on total CO2 emissions, accounting for 54.5 % of total CO2 emissions. The grain yield (6017 kg/ha) under no-tillage system was 796 kg per hectare lower than that of traditional tillage system. The specific fuel consumptions (SFC) were 7.78 L/t and 2.26 L/t under traditional and no tillage systems, respectively. While 1 liter fuel was consumed to produce 441.83 kg grain under traditional tillage system, 128.6 kg grain was obtained per L fossil fuel consumed under the no-tillage system. Compared to traditional tillage system, 5.52 L less fossil fuel in the other word 204 MJ less fossil energy was consumed to produce per ton of grain wheat. Under no-tillage system to produce per ton grain wheat 243.6% less CO2 was released during tillage and sowing practices compared to traditional tillage system. WOS: 000465645700017

According to the Renewable Energy Roadmap and Biofuels Progress Report, the Commission proposes to set a binding minimum target for biofuels of 10% of transport fuel by 2020. Today, practically all biodiesel produced in Europe is obtained from only two crops, rapeseed and sunflower. The introduction of new or alternative crops could be therefore highly desirable to diversify the supply while increasing biodiversity. In Europe, a number of private initiatives or public projects are currently undertaking alternative biodiesel crops, that not necessary are novel species, adapted to European conditions. Generally, these programmes are still in their infancy that testifies a significant lag behind of Europe with respect to other industrialised countries (e.g. USA). Within the European Project “Crops2Industry” (Seventh Framework Programme), three potentially important alternative crops for biodiesel have been identified for the European conditions, namely: Cuphea viscosissima, Lunaria annua and Euphorbia lagascae. The present article aims at reporting mini­reviews on the potentialities of these species for biodiesel market in Europe. The three species show important seed oil yields and oil composition, which is rich in medium chain saturated fatty acids, and poor in long chain saturated fatty acids and in polyunsaturated fatty acids. This makes oil viscous, resistant to frost and oxidant agents. Overall, the oils of these crops for their main characteristics appear well adapted to be processed for biodiesel production, and also for alternative industrial applications (e.g. technical oils). There is evidence that these crops may have a future as biodiesel crops in the European marketplace. Therefore, there is the need to create social awareness on their potentialities as valuable alternative crops to rapeseed and sunflower in Europe. Proceedings of the 19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 6-10 June 2011, Berlin, Germany, pp. 744-748

In the study presented here, ‘biofuels’ were examined with regard to various issues. Above all the question of the impact of ‘biomass’ production on ecosystems, the ‘sustainability’ of the use of biofuels, the search for alternatives and therefore the question of the future development of the transport sector are directly linked to one another. Discussions conducted in public, such as the food­or­fuel debate, lead to an increased sensibility to the way biofuels are dealt with and lead to very controversial views on the use and application of biofuels. Certain factors provide a tool for the assessment of the sustainable utilisation of biofuels. In the field of ‘ecology’, the points climate protection, conservation of biodiversity and soil­and­water protection occupy centre stage. In the field of economy, opening up rural areas for development, including job creation, as well as reducing dependency on energy imports is what matters. ‘Social aspects’ are mainly security of supply for energy and foodstuffs at reasonable prices. This results in a distribution of competences to the policy remits of environment, energy and agriculture. Processes, which benefit the introduction of biofuels, are occurrences such as global warming, world­wide scarcity of crude oil, as well as the sharp increase in price of energy and food prices, which attained their highest point in the Summer of 2008 – for the time being. All these are compelling factors forcing a re­think of the utilisation of global ‘resources’. Proceedings of the 18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 3-7 May 2010, Lyon, France, pp. 2253-2258

The production of 2nd generation bioethanol has reached a pilot stage. Some bioethanol plants are under construction around the world. Among them, one is being built in North-West of Italy by Chemtex. The planned yearly production is 40,000 t/year of bioethanol. The crop being selected as biomass is the Giant Reed (Arundo donax), that is a perennial crop; do not require irrigation and its cultivation require much less inputs than corn for biomass. Farmers need some new information on these new crops for biomass production. Also new information is thus requested by the market or by public agencies: energy balance and life cycle analysis of crop cultivation, labor budget, etc. To make comparison between standard biomasses and new ones, there is a need of standard data and procedures in order to compare the cultivation systems, and to make all the requested assessment. The authors build a web application to do so within the frame of the IEE Project Bioenergy Farm. The tool allow the user, in anonymous way, to compute its own crop cultivation costs, including the use of machinery, manpower, and production factors in order to compare different farming systems. Both field and logistic operations could be evaluated. Also the energetic balance could be computed. The application represents a step toward the standardization of data and calculation procedures for working time, energy balance and operation costs. The application is accessible, free of charge, at http://bioenergyfarm.eu. In this paper an energy balance of giant reed crops, is presented. One farm with 10 fields (80 ha) located north of Turin, Italy, has been used to analyze the giant reed performance. The fields were located between 0.7 km and 14 km. The logistics plays an important role in quantifying the operation costs. For the case of Arundo donax this variation is translated to 90 €/ha between fields next to the farm and the one far from the farm (assuming 23 tDM/ha yield), depicting the importance of incorporating the geographical variability of the production system (that diversify the transport operations cost) and the field characteristics such as field shape, soil conditions etc. Similar analysis will be carried out on Giant Reed, on the same farm and the comparison will be made among the two crops. Proceedings of the 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 18-22 June 2012, Milan, Italy, pp. 191-195

Experimental trials across Europe have confirmed the high yield potential of perennial lignocellulosic crops like miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and giant reed (Arundo donax), and therefore their great potential as bioenergy feedstock. However, the vast majority of information on productivity of these crops derives from plot experiments, while very little is know on the actual yields and biomass losses in a mechanized harvesting system. In the present article we reviewed some field­scale studies on biomass loss in switchgrass, miscanthus and giant reed carried out at the University of Bologna over the last few years. The assessments were conducted in Bologna (Italy) in two contiguous 6­year switchgrass and giant reed plants, and in a 3­year miscanthus plant. Along with commercial machineries, a prototype that cut the stems in 30­50 cm portions was tested. Crop potential yield was determined through hand harvested samples collected across the fields concurrently with mechanical harvest. Miscanthus, giant reed, and switchgrass exhibited potential yields of 29.3, 24.6, and 16.9 Mg ha­1, respectively. Biomass losses during cutting and baling using common farm machines were considerable, averaging 30% and 21% in giant reed and switchgrass over a 5­year period. Nonetheless, in the last two years we found that simple adjustments to the harvesting machines along with appropriate agronomic strategies allowed to reduce losses massively. Proceedings of the 19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 6-10 June 2011, Berlin, Germany, pp. 52-54