Fall, 2013 Presentations: 5-6 PM in room 22A of the Lee Medical
Building
“Prairies versus corn for bioenergy: agronomic and environmental tradeoffs"
Cellulosic bioenergy production provides opportunities to utilize a range of cropping systems that can enhance the multifunctionality of agricultural landscapes. In this lecture, I will discuss ongoing research comparing prairie systems to corn-based cropping systems managed for bioenergy production. We are finding that corn-based cropping systems are likely to play an important role in maintaining the high productivity of agricultural landscapes on fertile land, but alternative cropping systems, such as prairies used for bioenergy production, can produce substantial yield and require minimal externally-derived inputs.
Cellulosic bioenergy production provides opportunities to utilize a range of cropping systems that can enhance the multifunctionality of agricultural landscapes. In this lecture, I will discuss ongoing research comparing prairie systems to corn-based cropping systems managed for bioenergy production. We are finding that corn-based cropping systems are likely to play an important role in maintaining the high productivity of agricultural landscapes on fertile land, but alternative cropping systems, such as prairies used for bioenergy production, can produce substantial yield and require minimal externally-derived inputs.
November 12: Grigoriy Sereda (Chemistry Department)
December 10: Dongming Mei (Physics Department)
