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Crop residues of the contiguous United States: Balancing feedstock and soil needs with conservation tillage, cover crops, and biochar

Crop residues are among the cellulosic feedstocks expected to provide renewable energy. The
availability of crop species and residue availability varies across the United States. Estimates of
harvestable residues must consider all the residues produced during the entire rotation. Inclusion
of fallow or low residue producing crops requires that less feedstock be harvested. A re-occurring
theme among the regions is that soils need to be safeguarded against erosion and against loss of soil
organic matter (SOM). First, highly erodible lands are categorically excluded from harvesting residues
in all regions. The minimum of residue needed to meet soil needs is highly variable. Where sufficient
residues are produced to meet soil conservation and SOM considerations, harvesting of a portion may
be considered. Soil conservation practices include eliminating or at least reducing tillage to keep the soil
covered, avoiding fallow and adding perennials, applying amendments (manure, biochar) and planting
cover crops in areas with sufficient moisture. Calculating regional or national availability of residue
feedstock is valuable for evaluating the feasibility of bioenergy production; however, on a field basis,
site-specific decision aids will be needed.

Author(s)
Jane Johnson
Contact Person
Jane Johnson
Contact Organization
USDA-ARS
Bioenergy Category
Publication Date
DOI is live on OSTI.
Data Source
www.swcs.org/roadmap