Biomass yield and fibre components in reed canary grass and tall fescue grown as feedstock for combustion

Grass biomass is a potential feedstock for solid biofuel production. This paper presents the results of experiments conducted on Endocalcari-Epihypogleyic Cambisol (CMg-p-w-can) to evaluate the biomass yield, quality and bioenergy potential of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.). Two kinds of fertilizers mineral nitrogen (90 kg ha(-1)) and biogas waste (digestate) with the same amount of nitrogen and one-cut regime either in July or in October were chosen to estimate the biomass productivity and energy potential. The results of a two-year experiment suggest that the biomass yield and energy potential depended on the grass species and cultivation technology. Higher biomass and energy yields were produced by reed canary grass when harvested in July, while by tall fescue when harvested in October. Both grass species were most productive when fertilized with mineral nitrogen. Of the two grass species and harvesting dates tested, the highest biomass and energy yields were produced by reed canary grass swards harvested in July. It was proved that the highest content of lignin in the biomass led to the highest energy yield of swards.