Influence of harvest time of Artemisia Dubia Wall. properties

Abstract

In the world, scientists are constantly looking for alternative crops, which would be suitable for energy. Their harvesting period choice is an important task in order +to reduce the production of biofuels-storage costs. This choice has influence on the properties of plants, technology of production-preparation and storage, also natural conditions. Lithuania is in the temperate zone, which is characterized by changeable weather. Often prevailing precipitation determines the harvesting possibilities of herbaceous energy crops, their biometric, mechanical and thermal properties. The dry biomass yield of Artemisia dubia Wall. has influence on: the growing years, fertilization, soil quality and other conditions. The study had shown 22.0 to 27.6 t·ha-1 DM yieldpotential of Artemisiadubia Wall. in Lithuania on Endocalcari-Endohypogleyic Cambisol (CMg-n-w). Morphological part (stems and leaves) quantities of the total mass dependence on the harvesting time of Artemisia dubia Wall. were fixed. The lowest stems (73.73 ± 2.66 %) and the largest leaves (26.27 ± 2.66 %) mass percentages share were found of raw materials, then they were harvested in October. When harvested in the spring, Artemisia dubia Wall. stem weight had increased, and the leaves of the mass fraction of the raw material decreased by 20.65 percentage points. Material moisture variation depending on the harvesting time was found. From October to March, the raw material moisture content decreased from 59.15 ± 0.8 % to 10.98 ± 0.60 %. This directly affected the biological activity and storage capabilities of the raw material without additional energy input. In early spring, removing Artemisia without further preparation, it can be successfully used for thermal conversion.