STRIP-WISE CULTIVATION OF ANNUAL AND PERENNIAL CROPS – A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE CROPPING SYSTEM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIOGAS SUBSTRATE

摘要

In Germany, the agricultural area cropped with maize increased intensively over the last couple ofyears. This increase is partly attributed to the role of maize as main biogas substrate. On many sites, maize isconsidered as favourable biogas crop as it provides high energy yields per hectare and is an established crop in thecontext of management and crop rotation. However, the strong focus of the agricultural practise on maize croppingsystems associated with an increasing maize density is often highly criticised due to possible negative ecologicalimpacts. Furthermore, diseases and pests may increase as a result of an intensive maize cultivation and thus couldendanger stable and high biomass yields of maize in the future. A broader diversification of the substrate supply usingalternative crops and alternative cropping systems could offer a possible solution to reduce the maize density andensure sustainable biogas production. A strip-wise cropping system was developed consisting of a crop rotation withannual crops and a perennial crop, combining ecological and economical benefits, as well as providing more and newdiversity aspects. The alternative cropping system is tested on two sites in South-West of Germany. Field trialsstarted in spring 2011 and the cropping systems will be monitored and evaluated over a five-year period with regardto relevant ecological and economical parameters.