Energetic Properties and Biomass Productivity of Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) under Agroecological Conditions in Northwestern Croatia

Abstract

Biomass as a renewable energy source includes energy crops that are not used for food but solely for biomass production with the goal of conversion to various forms of biofuel. Switchgrass, a perennial grass native to North America, has been explored as an energy crop for many years. It is suitable because it does not require much agrotechnical input, is highly resistant to pest infestation and disease development, and can provide very high biomass yields. The aim of this work was to determine the biomass quality of the mentioned plant in relation to the autumn and spring harvest, considering its use in direct combustion processes. Significant differences were found in the percentages of ash, carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and water, as well as in the percentages of micro and macro elements, in the harvest dates studied. Compared to the autumn, the moisture content decreased from 33.88% to 10.95% and ash content from 4.59% to 3.1% in the spring harvest, while the carbon content increased from 47.02% to 47.49%, dry matter from 38.91% to 89.22%, and heating value from 18.60 MJ kg−1 to 18.73 MJ kg−1. Shifting the harvest date from autumn to spring resulted in the production of higher quality biomass for use in combustion processes.