Bioenergy from Plants and the Sustainable Yield Challenge
Review
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Tansley review
Bioenergy from plants and the sustainable yield challenge
Author for correspondence: Angela Karp Tel: +44 (0)1582 763133 Fax: +44 (0)1582 760981 Email: angela.karp@bbsrc.ac.uk Received: 21 November 2007 Accepted: 4 February 2008
Angela Karp and Ian Shield
Centre for Bioenergy and Climate Change, Plant and Invertebrate Ecology Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
Contents
Summary I. II. III. IV. Introduction Bioenergy, biomass and biofuel crops Bioenergy yield traits Bioenergy composition traits 15 15 16 16 22 V. VI. Sustainable bioenergy production from crops Increasing bioenergy yields in a sustainable way 23 24 26 27 27
VII. Conclusions and perspectives Acknowledgements References
Summary
Key words: bioenergy, biofuels, biomass, lignocellulosic, perennial grasses, poplar, willow. Bioenergy from plants, particularly from perennial grasses and trees, could make a substantial contribution to alleviation of global problems in climate change and energy security if high yields can be sustained. Here, yield traits in a range of key bioenergy crops are reviewed, from which several targets for future improvement can be identified. Some are already the focus of genetically modified (GM) and non-GM approaches. However, the efficient growth strategies of perennial bioenergy crops rely on newly assimilated and recycled carbon and remobilized nitrogen in a continually shifting balance between sources and sinks. This balance is affected by biotic (e.g. pest, disease) and abiotic (e.g. drought) stresses. Future research should focus on three main challenges: changing (photo)thermal time sensitivity to lengthen the growing season without risking frost damage or limiting remobilization of nutritional elements following senescence; increasing aboveground biomass without depleting belowground reserves required for next year’s growth and thus without increasing the requirement for
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Tansley review
Bioenergy from plants and the sustainable yield challenge
Author for correspondence: Angela Karp Tel: +44 (0)1582 763133 Fax: +44 (0)1582 760981 Email: angela.karp@bbsrc.ac.uk Received: 21 November 2007 Accepted: 4 February 2008
Angela Karp and Ian Shield
Centre for Bioenergy and Climate Change, Plant and Invertebrate Ecology Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
Contents
Summary I. II. III. IV. Introduction Bioenergy, biomass and biofuel crops Bioenergy yield traits Bioenergy composition traits 15 15 16 16 22 V. VI. Sustainable bioenergy production from crops Increasing bioenergy yields in a sustainable way 23 24 26 27 27
VII. Conclusions and perspectives Acknowledgements References
Summary
Key words: bioenergy, biofuels, biomass, lignocellulosic, perennial grasses, poplar, willow. Bioenergy from plants, particularly from perennial grasses and trees, could make a substantial contribution to alleviation of global problems in climate change and energy security if high yields can be sustained. Here, yield traits in a range of key bioenergy crops are reviewed, from which several targets for future improvement can be identified. Some are already the focus of genetically modified (GM) and non-GM approaches. However, the efficient growth strategies of perennial bioenergy crops rely on newly assimilated and recycled carbon and remobilized nitrogen in a continually shifting balance between sources and sinks. This balance is affected by biotic (e.g. pest, disease) and abiotic (e.g. drought) stresses. Future research should focus on three main challenges: changing (photo)thermal time sensitivity to lengthen the growing season without risking frost damage or limiting remobilization of nutritional elements following senescence; increasing aboveground biomass without depleting belowground reserves required for next year’s growth and thus without increasing the requirement for
References: New Phytologist (2008) 179: 15–32 www.newphytologist.org © The Authors (2008) New Phytologist (2008) 179: 15–32 18 Review www.newphytologist.org © The Authors (2008). Journal compilation © New Phytologist (2008) Tansley review © The Authors (2008). Journal compilation © New Phytologist (2008) www.newphytologist.org New Phytologist (2008) 179: 15–32 New Phytologist (2008) 179: 15–32 www.newphytologist.org © The Authors (2008)