Fluctuation of sustainable and renewable energy value of galega biomass during vegetation period

Abstract

Sustainable development seeks for identifying bioproductivity potential to produce a certain amount of energy of field crops. It has great importance and mainly addressed to agriculture and forestry. Fodder galega is relatively new legume species successfully cropped in Lithuanian agrophytocoenoses. This species mainly used as forage plant. As a new crop in the landscape, galega, which can attain a height of up to 1.4 m under Lithuania conditions, may have a significant visual impact, especially, when plants achieve flowering stage. Nonetheless, galega’ alternative usage as energy source should be discussed. In this study was evaluated ability of galega to provide environmental sustainable and renewable energy source at different growth stages and during vegetation in total. Field trials carried out at the Research Station of Lithuanian University of Agriculture on a sandy moraine humic horizon of Calcary–Epihypogleyic Luvisol (LVg-p-w-cc). This plant has many valuable properties. Galega crop is notable for its longevity, high overwintering peculiarities and heavy yield. Fodder galega is high–productive plant and ensure 60 - 75 t ha -1 green mass, 15 - 17 t ha -1 hay, 14.79 t ha -1 dray matter and 0.3 - 0.7 t ha -1 seed. The species is among the earliest fodder plants in Lithuanian agrophytocoenoses. Its vegetation begins early (1-10 of April) and it achieves flowering stage in the end of May. Average duration of galega development to the seed maturity under conditions of Middle Lithuania is 98 - 102 days. Galega growing season lasts a long time, from early spring until late autumn. Depending on meteorological conditions its vegetation finishes in the end of October – beginning of November. Thus fodder galega is high valuable as suitable supplement for green conveyer. Galega production is characterized by low fertilizer and pesticide requirements making it a relatively benign crop environmentally.[...]