Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) silage is the preferred feedstock choice for biogas production. However, other feedstocks or mixed feedstocks might have lower environmental impact than silage maize. The objectives of this study included: 1) to determine if forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and forage sorghum-maize intercropping can be a viable option to replace maize in forage and biogas production, and 2) to assess the environmental impact of systems involving maize and forage sorghum intercropping and comparing the impact of those, with conventional monocrop rotations. Replicated experiments were conducted in Carrington, Fargo, and Prosper, ND, in 2013 and in Fargo, ND in 2014. Maize for silage and grain and two forage sorghum cultivars (Brown Mid Rib (BMR) and non-BMR) were grown in monoculture and in intercropping. Treatments were a total of twelve; four monocultures, four inter-row intercropped maize-sorghum, and four within-row intercropped maize-sorghum. Results across environments indicated non-BMR forage sorghum monocultures produced similar or higher biomass yield compared with maize monocultures and maize-forage sorghum mixed cultures (inter-row and within-row). Biogas yield and forage quality produced by forage sorghum monocultures, and mixtures containing forage sorghum were similar to that of maize. Thus, forage sorghum can replace, at least in part, silage maize as feedstock for feed or biogas. Forage sorghum and forage sorghum-maize intercropping had lower environmental impact compared with maize in all categories evaluated. In conclusion, intercropping of forage sorghum with maize is a promising alternative to maize silage for forage or as feedstock for biogas production.
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Claims 5
Claim · model-written summary
Non-BMR forage sorghum monocultures produced similar or higher biomass yield than maize monocultures.
Verbatim
e1“non-BMR forage sorghum monocultures produced similar or higher biomass yield compared with maize monocultures”
e2“Replicated experiments were conducted in Carrington, Fargo, and Prosper, ND, in 2013 and in Fargo, ND in 2014”
Claim · model-written summary
Biogas yield and forage quality from forage sorghum monocultures and from mixtures containing forage sorghum were similar to those from maize.
Verbatim
e3“Biogas yield and forage quality produced by forage sorghum monocultures, and mixtures containing forage sorghum were similar to that of maize”
Claim · model-written summary
Forage sorghum can replace, at least in part, silage maize as feedstock for feed or biogas.
Verbatim
e4“Thus, forage sorghum can replace, at least in part, silage maize as feedstock for feed or biogas”
Claim · model-written summary
Forage sorghum and forage sorghum-maize intercropping had lower environmental impact than maize in all categories evaluated.
Verbatim
e5“Forage sorghum and forage sorghum-maize intercropping had lower environmental impact compared with maize in all categories evaluated”
Claim · model-written summary
Intercropping forage sorghum with maize is a promising alternative to maize silage for forage or biogas feedstock.
Verbatim
e6“In conclusion, intercropping of forage sorghum with maize is a promising alternative to maize silage for forage or as feedstock for biogas production”
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