African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12501

Full Length Research Paper

Production potential and chemical composition of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) at different ages for energy purposes

Ana Kesia Faria Vidal
  • Ana Kesia Faria Vidal
  • Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, CEP: 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Tatiane da Costa Barbe
  • Tatiane da Costa Barbe
  • Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia de Unaí, CEP: 38610-000, Unaí, MG, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Rogerio Figueiredo Daher
  • Rogerio Figueiredo Daher
  • Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, CEP: 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Janeo Eustáquio Almeida Filho
  • Janeo Eustáquio Almeida Filho
  • Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, CEP: 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Roberta Samara Nunes de Lima
  • Roberta Samara Nunes de Lima
  • Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Campus Arapiraca, CEP: 57300-970, Arapiraca, AL, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Rafael Souza Freitas
  • Rafael Souza Freitas
  • Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, CEP: 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Drieli Aparecida Rossi
  • Drieli Aparecida Rossi
  • Faculdade Venda Nova do Imigrante, CEP: 29375-000, Venda Nova do Imigrante, ES, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Erik da Silva Oliveira
  • Erik da Silva Oliveira
  • Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, CEP: 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Bruna Rafaela da Silva Menezes
  • Bruna Rafaela da Silva Menezes
  • Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, CEP.: 23.897-000, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Geovana Cremonini Entringer
  • Geovana Cremonini Entringer
  • Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, CEP: 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Wanessa Francesconi Stida Peixoto
  • Wanessa Francesconi Stida Peixoto
  • Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, CEP: 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar
Sabrina Cassaro
  • Sabrina Cassaro
  • Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, CEP: 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 30 March 2017
  •  Accepted: 18 May 2017
  •  Published: 21 June 2017

Abstract

The elephant grass has gained prominence as one of the main forage species used for biomass production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify elephant grass genotypes with high energy biomass production potential by evaluating morpho-agronomic and biomass quality. The following traits were evaluated in this study: dry matter yield (DMY), percentage of whole-plant dry matter (%DM), percentage of neutral detergent fiber (%NDF), percentage of acid detergent fiber (%ADF); percentage of cellulose (%CEL), percentage of lignin (%LIG), percentage of carbon (%C), percentage of nitrogen (%N), and carbon: nitrogen ratio (C: N). Five different production ages were evaluated, and significant differences were observed for the variable DMY. The harvests performed at 20 and 24 weeks of age, provided the best response for biomass energy production (DMY) from elephant grass, averaging 20.50 and 23.77 t.ha−1. The genotypes that most stood out during the evaluation period at the five production ages were King Grass, Mole de Volta Grande, and Mercker 86 - México. Genotypes Mole de Volta Grande and King Grass are the most suitable for elephant grass breeding programs aimed at biomass energy production in the conditions of Campos dos Goytacazes - RJ, Brazil.

 

Key words: Bioenergy, biomass quality, carbon: nitrogen ratios, Pennisetum purpureum Shum, yield.