Modeled impacts of cover crops and vegetative barriers on corn stover availability and soil quality.

摘要: Environmentally benign, economically viable, and socially acceptable agronomic strategies are needed to launch a sustainable lignocellulosic biofuel industry. Our objective was demonstrate landscape planning process that can ensure adequate supplies of corn (Zea mays L.) stover feedstock while protecting improving soil quality. The Landscape Environmental Assessment Framework (LEAF) used develop land use were then scaled up for five U.S. Corn Belt states (Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota) illustrate the impact could be achieved. results show an annual supply 194 million Mg without exceeding erosion T values or depleting organic carbon [i.e., conditioning index (SCI) > 0] when no-till, winter cover crop, vegetative barriers incorporated into landscape. A second, more rigorous conservation target set enhance quality sustainably harvesting stover. By requiring 0, quantity harvestable dropped to148 Mg. Examining removal rates by state resource showed capability class slope generally determined effectiveness three practices resulting harvest rate. This emphasizes biomass must based on subfield management decisions resources conserved enhanced, providing sufficient support economic growth bioenergy enterprises.