title: Biochemical methane potential of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): Influence of growth stage and storage practice.
abstract: The effect of growth stage at harvest and of storage practice on the biochemical methane potential (BMP) of winter wheat was investigated using batch-fed stirred mesophilic digesters. The wheat used was a single variety sown at the same time (autumn) and harvested at 3 different stages in its growth: medium milk (A), soft dough (B) and Caryopsis (C). Wheats (A and B) were ensiled whilst the later harvested material (C) with a higher dry matter content was treated by the alkalage process. The BMP values expressed on the basis of volatile solids (VS) were 0.360 + or - 0.030, 0.346 + or - 0.006 and 0.311 + or - 0.016l CH(4) g(-1) VS(added) for A, B and C, respectively. A simple first order kinetic model gave only a poor fit to the experimental data but a close match was obtained using a modified first order pseudo-parallel model which explains the methane production curve on the basis of differences in biodegradability of the plant material.
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom. brlloren@cica.es
authors.forename: Bárbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rincón
authors.forename: Charles J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heaven
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels / Q000032:analysis; D007700:Kinetics; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D012621:Seasons; D014908:Triticum / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D008697:Methane