Crops for biofuel?

[Andy Baker]

According to http://www.ag.auburn.edu/landscape/bamboo.html bamboo yields
17-54 tons of biomass in Al, USA. The species reported most prolific is
only hardy to -25C. However, where it grows, it beats switchgrass yields
considerably.

Good article, I had no idea bamboo would grow in Alabama.

Quote the article..."YIELD OF WOOD. Yields of five species of bamboo
harvested for wood (suitable for pulp) reported in Table 3 are for all canes
on an area. [as in clear cutting] Age of bamboo varied from 15 to 20 years,
with average yield of 17-54 tons per acre."

So for 15-20 year old plants, Tons per acre per year then go back to 1.13
ton/acre/year to 2.7 ton/acre/year. so, yes, it's prolific, but I think the
grass still beats it, plus we have no idea whether that's dry or green
weight.

Andy

 

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Newsgroups: alt.energy.homepower,alt.energy.renewable

Good article, I had no idea bamboo would grow in Alabama.

Several years ago, paddling my canoe down Catoctin Creek in Maryland,
I came on a sizable, thick stand of small bamboo growing wild next to
a bridge. I hear a fellow in the next town north of me raises bamboo
for his woodworking.


Tom Willmon,near Mountainair, (mid) New Mexico, USA

Net-Tamer V 1.12.0 - Registered

 

[flick]

Good article, I had no idea bamboo would grow in Alabama.

Quote the article..."YIELD OF WOOD. Yields of five species of bamboo
harvested for wood (suitable for pulp) reported in Table 3 are for all canes
on an area. [as in clear cutting] Age of bamboo varied from 15 to 20 years,
with average yield of 17-54 tons per acre."

So for 15-20 year old plants, Tons per acre per year then go back to 1.13
ton/acre/year to 2.7 ton/acre/year. so, yes, it's prolific, but I think the
grass still beats it, plus we have no idea whether that's dry or green
weight.

IIRC, there are a couple varieties of bamboo that will
withstand down to zero degrees F.

flick 100785

 

[flick]

Woodworking is a much better use for bamboo than biomass. Some bamboo
species have wood as hard as oak, and beautiful as well. Since it grows
much faster than trees, it is an excellent alternative for building
homes. In addition, bamboo shoots of some species are edible.

I could be wrong, but I think just about all bamboo
shoots are edible. I know that our native cane is.

flick 100785