Evaluation of productivity of cereals and Jerusalem artichoke to be used for biogas depending on the level of nitrogen fertilization

Abstract

Development of renewable energy can multiply the demand for agricultural raw materials used for energy purpos- es. Independent estimates indicate that biogas produced from agricultural substrates would be one of the major energy carri- ers. Therefore, the paper presents the results of the research on the assessment of yield and productivity of biogas from rye, triticale and Jerusalem artichoke cultivated on sandy soil at dif- ferent levels of nitrogen fertilization. The field experiment was conducted in 2008–2010 at the Experimental Station IUNG-PIB (N: 51°27′59.98′′ E: 21°39′44.28′′) in a randomized complete block design “split-plot”, in four replications. The results indicate that the largest biogas and methane yield from 1 kg of dry organic matter was characteristic for the silage from the first swath of Jerusalem artichoke and rye, while the smallest was found in the silage of the second swath of Jerusalem artichoke. The largest biogas and methane production from one hectare can be obtained from rye harvested at milky-wax maturity. In the next years the highest biogas and methane production was obtained from the cultivation of Jerusalem artichoke in two swaths. The lowest pro- duction of biogas and methane were obtained from the cultivation of triticale.