Feasibility of tall fescue, cocksfoot and reed canary grass for anaerobic digestion: analysis of productivity and energy potential

Abstract

Grass biomass is a suitable feedstock for biogas production; however, this type of biomass in countrieswith a colder climate is too low. More research findings on the species of grasses and growing technologieswill likely reveal the compatibility and interactions in an effort to ensure the required high-quality yieldand the greatest potential for energy over the years to contribute to the development of biomass use.This study presents the results of experiments conducted on Endocalcari-Epihypogleyic Cambisol (CMg-p-wcan) to evaluate the biomass yield, quality and bioenergy potential of perennial grasses. Three perennialgrasses—tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and reed canary grass(Phalaris arundinacea L.)—were selected for biogas production. Different growing technologies were usedto evaluate the influence of fertilisation (N90and N180) and the cutting frequency (two and three cuts pergrowing season) on the biomass productivity and energy potential. The results of a two-year experimentsuggest that the biomass yield and energy potential depend on grass species and growing technology.The highest biomass yield and energy potential was achieved for tall fescue harvested twice per seasonand for the first time at the flowering stage.