Maize (
Zea mays L.) is used in over 85 % of German biogas plants as main substrate for energy production. The demand on high performing genotypes is therefore increasing. The key question discussed in this study was the influence of different ripening maize hybrids on methane production per hectare. Field trials were conducted with maize hybrids, which maturity ranged from FAO 250 to FAO 800, to determine biomass yield and the effects of plant density and organic fertilizing. Nutrient composition was measured with NIRS (Near Infra-red Reflectance Spectroscopy), specific methane yield according to the Hohenheimer Biogasertragstest. An energy and CO2- balance along the whole process chain with the help of the calculation model REPRO should determine the effectiveness of the system.
An influence of genotype was not found. Nutrient composition, maize maturity and harvest time had no impact on methane potential, which was averagely 330 Nl CH4 per kg dry matter. Dry matter yield showed the strongest correlation with the methane hectare yield. Late ripening genotypes up to FAO 400 achieved the best dry matter yield. Effects of plant density and organic fertilizing did not differ between genotypes. Energy balance showed an output/input relation of 2.6 -5, the CO2-balance an reduction potential of ca. 8500 kg CO2äq ha-1.
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Maize (
Zea mays L.) is used in over 85 % of German biogas plants as main substrate for energy production. The demand on high performing genotypes is therefore increasing. The key question discussed in this study was the influence of different ripening maize hybrids on methane production per hectare. Field trials were conducted with maize hybrids, which maturity ranged from FAO 250 to FAO 800, to determine biomass yield and the effects of plant density and organic fertilizing. Nutrient compositio...
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