Bioenergy
Bioenergy production has become a national priority. Bioenergy crops are seen as a way to:
- Address the issue of greenhouse gas production
- Determine acceptable levels of crop residue removal while protecting soil from erosion
- Reduce the nation’s dependency on petroleum
The land resources and climate of Kansas are conducive to the production of many potential bioenergy crops – both traditional and cellulosic (biomass). The challenge being met by the bioenergy research team in Agronomy is to discover the realistic potential of each possible bioenergy crop in Kansas, both in terms of alternative fuel production and producer profitability.
Research Focus
- Analysis of profitability of bioenergy crops
- Determine the impacts of bioenergy feedstock production on soil and water quality.
- Development of cropping systems that supply bioenergy feedstocks and protect soil and water quality.
- Energy content of bioenergy crops produced under Kansas conditions
- Evaluate the bioenergy coproducts and their impact on crop productivity and soil chemical and physical properties.
- Productivity of specific bioenergy crops in different regions of Kansas