Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NF0413 | |
| Title | A trial of the sustainability of switchgrass and reed canary grass as UK biofuel crops | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Applications for heat and electricity) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Basic and strategic applied research 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Biological Sciences) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given DTI |
|
| Award Type | Standard | |
| Funding Source | DEFRA | |
| Start Date | 01 August 2000 | |
| End Date | 30 April 2005 | |
| Duration | 57 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £461,402 | |
| Industrial Sectors | No relevance to Underpinning Sectors | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | DEFRA Bioenergy | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , DTI (100.000%) |
| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | Objectives not supplied | |
| Abstract | The purpose of the project is to identify, by measuring their yield, varieties of switchgrass and red canary-grass for biomass production in those areas of the UK where they could be reasonably expected to grow and produce a commercially viable yield. The performance of these two species will be compared to Miscanthus, which has been more extensively researched during recent years. Performance evaluation will identify the best varieties for scaled-up planting as well as the locations for this work. The project will also document the cost to establish and produce the biomass and will provide information on the amount of work required to maintain the crops. The project is divided into two phases. Phase 1 will measure the yield of switchgrass, reed canary-grass and Miscanthus at different sites throughout Britain representing locations where opportunities to achieve reasonable yields of species and varieties to be evaluated. After the second year's harvest, the yield results will be used to identify locations for planting field scare trails of switchgrass and reed canary-grass. In phase 2, the field scale trial will be established in both phases 1 and 2, regular monitoring of the crops of problems from weeds, pests and diseases will be carried out. Plots would be available for additional measurements where appropriate. Data collected under previous and on-going EU-funded projects on Miscanthus, switchgrass and reed canary-grass will be incorporated into the project. The study will extend knowledge on where these crops can best be grown in the UK providing important new information for both planners and farmers. | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 22/12/11 | |
