Economic feasibility of growing herbaceous biomass energy crops in Iowa.

摘要

Depletion of natural energy resources and environmental degradation caused by current energy resources (fossil fuels) have rekindled interest in energy availability and developing environmentally benign and renewable alternative energy resources. In addition, the reduced productive capacity of soil and environmental problems in rural areas caused by the loss of topsoil has created interest in ways to conserve soil.;These concerns have generated considerable attention on the production of herbaceous energy crops on marginal land as a possible solution to meeting future energy demands, addressing environmental concerns, and reducing soil erosion.;This research suggests that herbaceous energy crops, especially switchgrass, can be grown productively with minimal erosion, and produced at costs only somewhat higher than fossil fuels. They also have good soil conservation properties on the marginal land in Iowa.