RECLAMATION OF MARGINAL LANDS USING RARE ENERGY CROPS

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to determine the impact of the species of energy crops on biomass yields and the possibility of their involvement in the reclamation of contaminated areas. This is especially important from the point of view of the rational use of land for energy crops cultivation. Methodology. The research object is the processes of growth and development of plants, the peculiarities of the yield formation of energy crops biomass depending on the species traits and growing conditions. The research subject is the following energy crops: Big Bluestem, Indiangrass and Columbus Grass as well as the plant biometric indicators, biomass yield and energy efficiency of biomass production of energy crops (2016-2020). The results of research showed the variability of biometric parameters of energy crops. Over the research years, the dry biomass yield of Indiangrass was 8.9 t/ha in the first year, 10.1 t/ha in the second year and 14.9 t/ha in the third year, Big Bluestem – varied within 4.4–9.3 t/ha. Columbus Grass dry biomass increased from 11.4 t/ha (1st year) to 14.9 t/ha (2nd year) to 18.0 t/ha (3rd year). The developed model for the creation of artificial phytocenoses will allow land reclamation using energy crops based on agroecological monitoring and justification when growing energy crops. Perennial cultivation of Columbus Grass and Indiangrass provided the highest coefficient of energy efficiency (at a level or more than 3.0), which is typical for average efficiency of biomass production. Therefore, Indiangrass and Columbus Grass are recommended to be grown in order to reclaim marginal lands and obtain sustainable plant raw materials. Big Bluestem is recommended to be grown only as a companion crop of stand of grass. Furthermore, energy crops must be cultivated on the basis of ecological and adaptive technology elements, taking into account the defined territorial conditions. For the conditions of Ukraine, this complex will make it possible to reduce the negative impact on the environment as well as to obtain the stable yields of various biomass for its further processing and energy conversion.