Improvements in biomass production: Learning lessons from the bioenergy plants maize and sorghum

The use of biomass energy is preferred over fossil fuels as the former is more sustainable and emits a reduced amount of greenhouse gases. Sorghum, a tropical C4 plant, is known to have a marked drought tolerance. However, very little is known about the mechanisms involved. An allied species Zea mays, also a C4 plant, is far less drought tolerant. Both plants are known to accumulate high biomass during the course of their growth cycle and can be used as renewable energy sources. This article discusses the possibilities of using these two plants for the production of improved biomass in the context of drought tolerance and sustainable food production. Crucial and novel approaches that render Sorghum more tolerant to drought have been reviewed. Novel drought tolerance mechanisms in two sorghum cultivars- Samsorg 17 (more drought tolerant) and Samsorg 40 (less drought tolerant) have also been reviewed.

Energetic potential of bamboo culms for industrial and domestic use in Southern Brazil / Potencial energético de colmos de bambu para uso industrial e doméstico na região sul do Brasil

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to determine the energetic quality of the Bambusa vulgaris culms for combustion (in natura) and as a charcoal. Five individuals (culms) of Bambusa vulgaris of 3 years of age were analyzed, gathered in the city of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. In the in natura culms it was determined the moisture content freshly gathered (39%); basic density (0.624gcm-3); the chemical composition (total extractive content (16.26%) and lignin content (25.76%)); the proximate chemical composition (volatiles content (82.25%); fixed carbon content (15.26%) and ash (2.49%)) and gross calorific value (4571kcalkg-1). In the charcoal, produced in the laboratory, the determined properties were the gravimetric yield (36.40%);the apparent density (0.372gcm-3); volatiles content (27.55%); fixed carbon content (67.32%); ash (5.12%) and gross calorific value (7431kcalkg-1). The Bambusa vulgaris species has potential for use in the energy generation either in natura, as chips for burning in boilers or in the charcoal form for domestic use, it can be used to broaden the base of biomass for energy generation and to replace the timber species of Pinus and Eucalyptus gender used for this purpose in the Southern region of Brazil.

RESUMO: Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar a qualidade energética de colmos de Bambusa vulgaris para queima direta (in natura) e na forma de carvão vegetal. Foram analisados cinco indivíduos (colmos) de Bambusa vulgaris com 3 anos de idade, coletados na cidade de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. Nos colmos in natura foram determinados o teor de umidade recém coletado (39%); massa específica básica (0,624gcm-3); a composição química (teor de extrativos totais (16,26%) e teor de lignina (25,76%)); a composição química imediata(teor de voláteis (82,25%); teor de carbono fixo (15,26%) e cinzas (2,49%)) e poder calorífico superior (4571kcalkg-1). No carvão vegetal, produzido em laboratório, foram determinados o rendimento gravimétrico (36,40%); a densidade aparente (0,372gcm-3); teor de voláteis (27,55%); teor de carbono fixo (67,32%); cinzas (5,12%) e poder calorífico superior (7431kcalkg-1). A espécie Bambusa vulgaris tem potencial para utilização na geração de energia tanto na forma in natura, como cavacos para a queima em caldeiras,como na forma de carvão vegetal para uso doméstico, podendo ser utilizada para ampliar a base de biomassa para geração de energia e até substituir as espécies madeireiras do gênero Pinus e Eucalyptus utilizadas para este fim na região sul do Brasil.