PRODUCTION AND HEATING VALUE OF ARUNDO DONAX L. UNDER DIFFERENT SOIL MANAGEMENT

Several policies have been developed to fight against climate change and ensure energy security based on the increase of renewable energy sources. Non-food crops are a good alternative. Arundo donax L. is a candidate for energy use because its high yield. In order to avoid competition for soil with food crops, energy crops are implanted in marginal and poor lands. An alternative to recover soil fertility and improve crop yield is the use of sewage sludge as organic matter source. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of organic amendments from treated sewage sludge in the production and heating value of Arundo donax as energy crop. The study was held in experimental plots in Central Spain. Four treatments were evaluated: Control (C), Inorganic fertilizer (F), Sewage sludge composted pruning waste (CP) and sewage sludge treated with thermal dry (ST). After two growing seasons, plant biomass, production parameters and heating value were evaluated. Most of parameters, including heating value, increase in sewage sludge plots. Moreover, plants grown these plots had higher values of chlorophyll and nitrogen in leaves. It could be concluded that the application of treated sewage sludge is a good alternative for the production of Arundo.