Vertical Distribution of Corn Stover Dry Mass.

Ethanol production from biomass may reduce reliance on imported fossil fuel, increase revenue for farmers and rural communities, and reduce rates of greenhouse gas production. Corn stover and other crop biomass are viewed by the renewable energy industry as an inexpensive, "unused" source of feedstock for ethanol production. The vast projected need for feedstock to "fuel" the emerging cellulosic ethanol industry will result in much of this biomass being removed from fields. Traditionally, crop residues in grain crop production systems have remained in the field as the surface cover essential to reduce runoff, minimize soil erosion and replenish soil organic carbon. To sustain crop production and control loss of water and soil from the landscape, new or modified erosion prediction tools that accommodate stover removal as part of the crop management schemes will be needed. Objectives were 1) determine the height distribution of corn biomass; 2) determine the percentage of stover that is corn cob; and 3) develop a general relationship between plant harvest height and stover remaining in the field for use with RUSLE2. A minimum of two replicates with 10 individual plants were collected; height and dry biomass were recorded in 10-cm increments. The experiment was repeated at seven locations (Ames, IA; Fort Collins, CO; Florence, SC; Lincoln, NE; Mandan, ND; Morris, MN; St. Paul, MN). [REAP publication]