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Vertical Distribution of Structural Components in Corn Stover

Author

Listed:
  • Jane M. F. Johnson

    (USDA-Agricultural Research Service, North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, 803 Iowa Avenue, Morris, MN 56267, USA)

  • Douglas L. Karlen

    (USDA-Agricultural Research Service, National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, 2110 University Boulevard, Ames, IA 50011, USA)

  • Garold L. Gresham

    (US-Department of Energy, Idaho National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-2025, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Keri B. Cantrell

    (USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Coastal Plains Research Center, 2611 W. Lucas St., Florence, SC 29501, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • David W. Archer

    (USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 459, Mandan, ND 58554, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Brian J. Wienhold

    (USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Agroecosystem Management Research Unit, 117 Keim Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Gary E. Varvel

    (USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Agroecosystem Management Research Unit, 117 Keim Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • David A. Laird

    (Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, 2104 Agronomy Hall, Ames, IA 50011, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • John Baker

    (USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Soil and Water Management Research Unit, 439 Borlaug Hall, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Tyson E. Ochsner

    (Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, 368 Agricultural Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078-6028, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jeff M. Novak

    (USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Coastal Plains Research Center, 2611 W. Lucas St., Florence, SC 29501, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ardell D. Halvorson

    (USDA-Agricultural Research Service, 2150 Centre Ave., Bldg. D. Suite 100, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Francisco Arriaga

    (Department of Soil Science, University of Wisconsin, 1525 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706-1299, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • David T. Lightle

    (CPESC #651, 105 Meadow Lane, Labadie, MO 63055, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Amber Hoover

    (US-Department of Energy, Idaho National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-2025, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Rachel Emerson

    (US-Department of Energy, Idaho National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-2025, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Nancy W. Barbour

    (USDA-Agricultural Research Service, North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, 803 Iowa Avenue, Morris, MN 56267, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

In the United States, corn ( Zea mays L.) stover has been targeted for second generation fuel production and other bio-products. Our objective was to characterize sugar and structural composition as a function of vertical distribution of corn stover (leaves and stalk) that was sampled at physiological maturity and about three weeks later from multiple USA locations. A small subset of samples was assessed for thermochemical composition. Concentrations of lignin, glucan, and xylan were about 10% greater at grain harvest than at physiological maturity, but harvestable biomass was about 25% less due to stalk breakage. Gross heating density above the ear averaged 16.3 ± 0.40 MJ kg −1 , but with an alkalinity measure of 0.83 g MJ −1 , slagging is likely to occur during gasification. Assuming a stover harvest height of 10 cm, the estimated ethanol yield would be >2500 L ha −1 , but it would be only 1000 L ha −1 if stover harvest was restricted to the material from above the primary ear. Vertical composition of corn stover is relatively uniform; thus, decision on cutting height may be driven by agronomic, economic and environmental considerations.

Suggested Citation

  • Jane M. F. Johnson & Douglas L. Karlen & Garold L. Gresham & Keri B. Cantrell & David W. Archer & Brian J. Wienhold & Gary E. Varvel & David A. Laird & John Baker & Tyson E. Ochsner & Jeff M. Novak & , 2014. "Vertical Distribution of Structural Components in Corn Stover," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:4:y:2014:i:4:p:274-287:d:42426
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