The Experts below are selected from a list of 2226 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Frederick Maurice Slate - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
invertebrate populations in miscanthus miscanthus giganteus and reed Canary Grass phalaris arundinacea fields
Biomass & Bioenergy, 2007Co-Authors: Tzehaye Semere, Frederick Maurice SlateAbstract:Abstract Monitoring of invertebrates at four field sites in Herefordshire, England, growing miscanthus and reed Canary-Grass was carried out in 2002, 2003 and 2004 to investigate the ecological impact of these crops on ground beetles, butterflies and arboreal invertebrates. Ground beetles were sampled by pitfall trapping; and arboreal invertebrates by sweep netting and stem beating. The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology's Butterflies Monitoring Scheme methodology was used to record butterflies. The effects of the biomass crops on invertebrates were indirect, through the use of weeds as food resources and habitat. The greater diversity of weed flora within miscanthus fields than within reed Canary-Grass fields had a greater positive effect on invertebrates. Ground beetles, butterflies and arboreal invertebrates were more abundant and diverse in the most floristically diverse miscanthus fields. The difference in crop architecture and development between miscanthus and reed Canary-Grass was reflected in their differences in crop height and ground cover early on in the season. However, most of the difference in arthropod abundance between the two crops was attributed to the difference in the agronomic practice of growing the crops such as plant density, and the effect of this on weed growth. Since perennial rhizomatous Grasses require a single initial planting and related tillage, and also no major chemical inputs; and because the crops are harvested in the spring and the land is not disturbed by cultivation every year, the fields were used as over-wintering sites for invertebrates suggesting immediate benefits to biodiversity.
-
ground flora small mammal and bird species diversity in miscanthus miscanthus giganteus and reed Canary Grass phalaris arundinacea fields
Biomass & Bioenergy, 2007Co-Authors: Tzehaye Semere, Frederick Maurice SlateAbstract:Wildlife monitoring of two miscanthus and two reed Canary-Grass fields in Herefordshire, England was carried out in 2002, 2003 and 2004 to investigate the ecological impact of perennial biomass Grass crops on ground flora, small mammals and birds. Quadrats were used to record percentage ground vegetation cover within and around the periphery of each crop. Small mammals were sampled by live trapping using Longworth traps. The common bird census technique was used to monitor populations of birds. Miscanthus fields were richer in weed vegetation than reed Canary-Grass or arable fields. Bird use of the biomass crop fields varied depending on species. There were considerably more open-ground bird species such as skylarks (Alauda arvensis), lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) and meadow pipits (Anthus pratensis) within miscanthus than within reed Canary-Grass fields. There was no particular crop-type preference by the small mammal species, but rather a preference for good ground cover and little land disturbance, which was provided by both biomass crops. Ground flora, small mammals and most of the bird species (except open-ground birds) were found more abundantly within field margins and boundaries than in crop fields indicating the importance of retaining field structure when planting biomass crops. The miscanthus work relates entirely to young crops, which may be representative of part of the national crop if large areas are cultivated for rhizomes. The findings from the current project indicate that perennial biomass Grass crops can provide substantially improved habitat for many forms of native wildlife, due to the low intensity of the agricultural management system and the untreated headlands.
Tzehaye Semere - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
invertebrate populations in miscanthus miscanthus giganteus and reed Canary Grass phalaris arundinacea fields
Biomass & Bioenergy, 2007Co-Authors: Tzehaye Semere, Frederick Maurice SlateAbstract:Abstract Monitoring of invertebrates at four field sites in Herefordshire, England, growing miscanthus and reed Canary-Grass was carried out in 2002, 2003 and 2004 to investigate the ecological impact of these crops on ground beetles, butterflies and arboreal invertebrates. Ground beetles were sampled by pitfall trapping; and arboreal invertebrates by sweep netting and stem beating. The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology's Butterflies Monitoring Scheme methodology was used to record butterflies. The effects of the biomass crops on invertebrates were indirect, through the use of weeds as food resources and habitat. The greater diversity of weed flora within miscanthus fields than within reed Canary-Grass fields had a greater positive effect on invertebrates. Ground beetles, butterflies and arboreal invertebrates were more abundant and diverse in the most floristically diverse miscanthus fields. The difference in crop architecture and development between miscanthus and reed Canary-Grass was reflected in their differences in crop height and ground cover early on in the season. However, most of the difference in arthropod abundance between the two crops was attributed to the difference in the agronomic practice of growing the crops such as plant density, and the effect of this on weed growth. Since perennial rhizomatous Grasses require a single initial planting and related tillage, and also no major chemical inputs; and because the crops are harvested in the spring and the land is not disturbed by cultivation every year, the fields were used as over-wintering sites for invertebrates suggesting immediate benefits to biodiversity.
-
Invertebrate populations in miscanthus (Miscanthus×giganteus) and reed Canary-Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) fields
Biomass and Bioenergy, 2007Co-Authors: Tzehaye Semere, Frederick Maurice SlaterAbstract:Abstract Monitoring of invertebrates at four field sites in Herefordshire, England, growing miscanthus and reed Canary-Grass was carried out in 2002, 2003 and 2004 to investigate the ecological impact of these crops on ground beetles, butterflies and arboreal invertebrates. Ground beetles were sampled by pitfall trapping; and arboreal invertebrates by sweep netting and stem beating. The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology's Butterflies Monitoring Scheme methodology was used to record butterflies. The effects of the biomass crops on invertebrates were indirect, through the use of weeds as food resources and habitat. The greater diversity of weed flora within miscanthus fields than within reed Canary-Grass fields had a greater positive effect on invertebrates. Ground beetles, butterflies and arboreal invertebrates were more abundant and diverse in the most floristically diverse miscanthus fields. The difference in crop architecture and development between miscanthus and reed Canary-Grass was reflected in their differences in crop height and ground cover early on in the season. However, most of the difference in arthropod abundance between the two crops was attributed to the difference in the agronomic practice of growing the crops such as plant density, and the effect of this on weed growth. Since perennial rhizomatous Grasses require a single initial planting and related tillage, and also no major chemical inputs; and because the crops are harvested in the spring and the land is not disturbed by cultivation every year, the fields were used as over-wintering sites for invertebrates suggesting immediate benefits to biodiversity.
-
ground flora small mammal and bird species diversity in miscanthus miscanthus giganteus and reed Canary Grass phalaris arundinacea fields
Biomass & Bioenergy, 2007Co-Authors: Tzehaye Semere, Frederick Maurice SlateAbstract:Wildlife monitoring of two miscanthus and two reed Canary-Grass fields in Herefordshire, England was carried out in 2002, 2003 and 2004 to investigate the ecological impact of perennial biomass Grass crops on ground flora, small mammals and birds. Quadrats were used to record percentage ground vegetation cover within and around the periphery of each crop. Small mammals were sampled by live trapping using Longworth traps. The common bird census technique was used to monitor populations of birds. Miscanthus fields were richer in weed vegetation than reed Canary-Grass or arable fields. Bird use of the biomass crop fields varied depending on species. There were considerably more open-ground bird species such as skylarks (Alauda arvensis), lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) and meadow pipits (Anthus pratensis) within miscanthus than within reed Canary-Grass fields. There was no particular crop-type preference by the small mammal species, but rather a preference for good ground cover and little land disturbance, which was provided by both biomass crops. Ground flora, small mammals and most of the bird species (except open-ground birds) were found more abundantly within field margins and boundaries than in crop fields indicating the importance of retaining field structure when planting biomass crops. The miscanthus work relates entirely to young crops, which may be representative of part of the national crop if large areas are cultivated for rhizomes. The findings from the current project indicate that perennial biomass Grass crops can provide substantially improved habitat for many forms of native wildlife, due to the low intensity of the agricultural management system and the untreated headlands.
-
Ground flora, small mammal and bird species diversity in miscanthus (Miscanthus×giganteus) and reed Canary-Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) fields
Biomass and Bioenergy, 2007Co-Authors: Tzehaye Semere, Frederick Maurice SlaterAbstract:Wildlife monitoring of two miscanthus and two reed Canary-Grass fields in Herefordshire, England was carried out in 2002, 2003 and 2004 to investigate the ecological impact of perennial biomass Grass crops on ground flora, small mammals and birds. Quadrats were used to record percentage ground vegetation cover within and around the periphery of each crop. Small mammals were sampled by live trapping using Longworth traps. The common bird census technique was used to monitor populations of birds. Miscanthus fields were richer in weed vegetation than reed Canary-Grass or arable fields. Bird use of the biomass crop fields varied depending on species. There were considerably more open-ground bird species such as skylarks (Alauda arvensis), lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) and meadow pipits (Anthus pratensis) within miscanthus than within reed Canary-Grass fields. There was no particular crop-type preference by the small mammal species, but rather a preference for good ground cover and little land disturbance, which was provided by both biomass crops. Ground flora, small mammals and most of the bird species (except open-ground birds) were found more abundantly within field margins and boundaries than in crop fields indicating the importance of retaining field structure when planting biomass crops. The miscanthus work relates entirely to young crops, which may be representative of part of the national crop if large areas are cultivated for rhizomes. The findings from the current project indicate that perennial biomass Grass crops can provide substantially improved habitat for many forms of native wildlife, due to the low intensity of the agricultural management system and the untreated headlands.
N. E. Yates - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
the yield response of the energy crops switchGrass and reed Canary Grass to fertiliser applications when grown on a low productivity sandy soil
Biomass & Bioenergy, 2012Co-Authors: I Shield, T. J. P. Barraclough, A B Riche, N. E. YatesAbstract:Two field experiments were conducted, one each with the energy Grasses switchGrass, Panicum virgatum L. and reed Canary Grass, Phalaris arundinacea L., to determine the role of nutritional elements in optimizing crop yield and associated effects on crop quality for thermal energy conversion technologies. The two experiments were adjacent and on low productivity sandy soils in the South East of England. This paper reports the crop yield effects during the years 2003–2005. Nitrogen was added in 50 kg ha−1 increments from 0 to 250 kg ha−1 Nitrogen. The Potassium and Sulphur treatments were applied in combination with 50 and 150 kg ha−1 Nitrogen. No yield increase was detected, suggesting that the soil Potassium and Sulphur supply was already sufficient. In reed Canary Grass a yield response was recorded when 50 kg ha−1 Nitrogen was applied. However, the greater statistical power achieved by pooling the Potassium and Sulphur treatments at the 2 rates of Nitrogen showed that application of 150 kg ha−1 Nitrogen compared to 50 kg ha−1 Nitrogen, to reed Canary Grass, increased crop yield in each of the three years of the study, and by a maximum of 1.35 t ha−1 Dry Matter in 2004. The same comparison in switchGrass showed a lesser response (0.7 t ha−1 Dry Matter) to 150 compared to 50 kg ha−1 Nitrogen and in one year only (2003). Therefore, the data generally show reed Canary Grass to be the more responsive crop to nitrogen, but all data should be viewed in respect of the limitations to yield imposed by site conditions. For both crops, yield peaked in either late summer or early autumn and then declined overwinter, most markedly in 2004–05. Overall, mean crop yield at final harvest for both crops, in late winter of each year, was low (<4 t ha−1 Dry Matter). This was considered to be due to water stress. The sandy soils had a low water holding capacity and the weather during 2003–05 was generally warmer and dryer than the long term average for the site. Block 3 of the reed Canary Grass experiment rooted into an area of finer textured soil (at ca. 1.5 m depth) and produced greater yields (5.45 cf. 3.25 and 3.01 t ha−1 Dry Matter) from Blocks 1 and 2 respectively in 2004–05. The results clearly indicate that these genotypes of switchGrass and reed Canary Grass may fail to give financially viable yields on inherently low productivity sites, and that varieties specially selected for such conditions will need to be bred for the industry if such areas are to be used.
-
Effect of nitrogen fertiliser application on cell wall composition in switchGrass and reed Canary Grass
Biomass and Bioenergy, 2012Co-Authors: Gordon G. Allison, Cathy Morris, S.j. Lister, T. J. P. Barraclough, N. E. Yates, Ian Shield, Iain S. DonnisonAbstract:Abstract Dry matter yields of two energy Grass crop species grown on low productivity arable crop land in South East England were significantly increased by application of nitrogen fertiliser (switchGrass, yield increase of 43% with 100 kg ha −1 N; reed Canary Grass, yield increase of 87% with 150 kg ha −1 N). Furthermore, application of N at these concentrations had significant effects on cell wall composition. Growth year and time of harvest also had significant effects on composition. The effect of N application was greater in reed Canary Grass which showed small but significant increases in neutral detergent fibre and cellulose content (increases of 3.5% and 7.5% respectively compared with plots not treated with N). Both species were significantly increased in Klason lignin content (an increase of 10.0% in reed Canary Grass and 4.4% in switchGrass compared with plots not treated with N). Analysis of acid detergent lignin also showed lignin content increased with nitrogen application rate. We discuss the implications of these changes on feedstock utility and the degree to which increases in yield may be offset by decreased feedstock utility.
-
The yield response of the energy crops switchGrass and reed Canary Grass to fertiliser applications when grown on a low productivity sandy soil
Biomass and Bioenergy, 2012Co-Authors: Ian Shield, T. J. P. Barraclough, A B Riche, N. E. YatesAbstract:Two field experiments were conducted, one each with the energy Grasses switchGrass, Panicum virgatum L. and reed Canary Grass, Phalaris arundinacea L., to determine the role of nutritional elements in optimizing crop yield and associated effects on crop quality for thermal energy conversion technologies. The two experiments were adjacent and on low productivity sandy soils in the South East of England. This paper reports the crop yield effects during the years 2003–2005. Nitrogen was added in 50 kg ha−1 increments from 0 to 250 kg ha−1 Nitrogen. The Potassium and Sulphur treatments were applied in combination with 50 and 150 kg ha−1 Nitrogen. No yield increase was detected, suggesting that the soil Potassium and Sulphur supply was already sufficient. In reed Canary Grass a yield response was recorded when 50 kg ha−1 Nitrogen was applied. However, the greater statistical power achieved by pooling the Potassium and Sulphur treatments at the 2 rates of Nitrogen showed that application of 150 kg ha−1 Nitrogen compared to 50 kg ha−1 Nitrogen, to reed Canary Grass, increased crop yield in each of the three years of the study, and by a maximum of 1.35 t ha−1 Dry Matter in 2004. The same comparison in switchGrass showed a lesser response (0.7 t ha−1 Dry Matter) to 150 compared to 50 kg ha−1 Nitrogen and in one year only (2003). Therefore, the data generally show reed Canary Grass to be the more responsive crop to nitrogen, but all data should be viewed in respect of the limitations to yield imposed by site conditions. For both crops, yield peaked in either late summer or early autumn and then declined overwinter, most markedly in 2004–05. Overall, mean crop yield at final harvest for both crops, in late winter of each year, was low (
Raimo Alen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
soda aq pulping of reed Canary Grass
Industrial Crops and Products, 2001Co-Authors: Zhinan Feng, Raimo AlenAbstract:Abstract Delignification of reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) was carried out by conventional soda-anthraquinone (AQ) pulping under varying conditions selected according to an orthogonal experimental design with four factors (cooking parameters) at three levels each L9 (34). The influence of these four parameters, i.e. effective alkali, EA (12, 15, and 18% on oven dried (o.d.) reed, as NaOH), maximum temperature (145, 155, and 165°C), time to maximum temperature (70, 90, and 110 min), and time at maximum temperature (0, 15, and 30 min) on the pulp properties (yield, kappa number, and viscosity) was studied. Results indicated that, with respect to delignification, EA was the most important parameter, other parameters having a minor effect. It was also noted that, contrary to wood-based pulping, the viscosity of the reed Canary Grass pulp prepared in this study increased as the kappa number decreased. This finding might be explained by assuming that variations in hemicellulose content of the pulp resulted in the changes in viscosity, and that cellulose degradation was limited.
Calle Nilsson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
kraft and soda aq pulping of dry fractionated reed Canary Grass
Industrial Crops and Products, 2004Co-Authors: Michael Finell, Calle NilssonAbstract:Abstract The effect of dry fractionation on pulping and pulp properties of reed Canary Grass was studied for two alkaline pulping processes. Multivariate data analysis was used to evaluate the influence of dry fractionation, alkali charge and cooking time on pulp yield, screening reject, drainage, fibre length distribution, kappa number and residual alkali in black liquor for kraft and soda-anthraquinone pulping of the Grass. Of the factors included in the design, dry fractionation had the greatest influence on all the responses. Dry fractionation gave a pulp with higher yield, lower screening reject, lower kappa number, better drainage and reduced fines for both pulping processes.
-
Reed Canary-Grass ash composition and its melting behaviour during combustion
Fuel, 2001Co-Authors: Susanne Paulrud, Calle Nilsson, Marcus ÖhmanAbstract:Spring harvested reed Canary-Grass (RCG) with various chemical compositions was combusted in a 180 kW boiler. The ash melting behaviour was studied and the ash was analysed. Estimation of melting b ...
-
Briquetting and combustion of spring-harvested reed Canary-Grass: effect of fuel composition
Biomass and Bioenergy, 2001Co-Authors: Susanne Paulrud, Calle NilssonAbstract:Abstract The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding how spring-harvested reed Canary-Grass briquettes with various chemical compositions with respect to ash content influence the formation of emissions during combustion in a 180 kW burner. Furthermore, an objective was to investigate possible ash problems during the combustion. Five fuels were used in the study consisting of three reed Canary-Grass samples with different ash contents from different growing sites in Sweden and additionally one of these materials was separated into a stem and leaf fraction. Flue gas emissions were measured and fuels and ashes were analysed. The variation in ash content did not affect the production of briquettes. Further, fuel containing only stem fraction showed the highest mechanical strength. The variation in ash content did not effect the flue gas emissions. The presented results showed low mean values for carbon monoxide ( mg / MJ , except one experiment) and particles in the flue gas ( mg / Nm 3 ) (no purification of flue gas). Emissions of nitrogen oxides were mg / MJ . The ash formed light voluminous big chunks where small parts showed a tendency to be sintered. The combustion experiments imply that spring-harvested reed Canary-Grass can be burned with success in combustion equipment that is designed for the differences in ash content.