Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Greenhouse gas emissions from winter wheat cultivation for bioethanol production in Poland

Author(s):

Alina Syp *, Zuzanna Jarosz, Antoni Faber, Magdalena Borzecka-Walker, Rafał Pudełko

Recieved Date: 2012-06-08, Accepted Date: 2012-10-02

Abstract:

The production of ethanol from winter wheat, in accordance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC, RED), requires an estimation of the levels of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from biofuels, as well as a comparison of the values of emission savings as opposed to fossil fuels. In this paper, calculations were made into possible reductions of agricultural and GHG emissions in full Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of bioethanol, which was produced from winter wheat. The study focused on an optimisation of nitrogen fertilisation for winter wheat, the selection of fertilisers with lower emissions arising from their production, as well as an increase of the sequestration of organic carbon in the soil by the use of reduced or no tillage systems. The results show that achieving a 50% reduction of GHG emissions in LCA of bioethanol produced from winter wheat is possible with an annual dose of 90 kg nitrate (N) per ha, regardless of which N fertiliser was applied. Additionally, an improvement in crop cultivation through the use of reduced or no tillage systems decreased the emissions by 53-69%, respectively. However, an annual application of 160 kg N per ha results in a saving of GHG emissions above 50% only in no tillage cultivation. 

Keywords:

Winter wheat, ethanol, GHG emissions, emissions reductions, organic carbon sequestrations, RED

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2012
Volume: 10
Issue: 3&4
Category: Environment
Pages: 1169-1172

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