Biomass Yield and Quality of Hybrid Pennisetum

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the adaptability,yield,and biomass characteristics of hybrid pennisetum(Pennisetum americanum × P.purpureum) in Beijing of China for their rational utilization as bioenergy feedstocks.Field trials were conducted at experimental station of Beijing Research Development Center for Grasses and Environment from 2006 to 2009 and the biomass yield and quality parameters were investigated by field observations and laboratory analysis.Hybrid pennisetum could not survive through the winter in Beijing,its dry biomass yield was 40.14~48.54 t·hm-2,heat value was 17.02 MJ·kg-1,contents of cellulose,hemi-cellulose,lignin and ash were 36.15%,21.01%,8.92% and 9.26%,respectively,contents of C,H,N elements were 41.86%,5.62%,1.52% respectively,ratio of C to N was 27.54∶1,and its deformation temperature,softening temperature,hemisphere temperature and flow temperature of ash fusion were 942.00℃,980.75℃,1010.25℃,1054.75℃ respectively.Hybrid pennisetum was appropriate for extension in Beijing and surrounding areas as excellent herbaceous energy plants because of its high biomass yield and quality,and the disadvantage of hybrid pennisetum was its poor wintering ability and high biomass moisture content.