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EUBCE 2026 - Ana Luisa FERNANDO - Influence of Marginal Soils on the Productivity and Energy Balance of Sorghum Use for Energy

Influence of Marginal Soils on the Productivity and Energy Balance of Sorghum Use for Energy

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Sustainable integrated agricultural management practices - Prospects of a sustainable production of biomass

Influence of Marginal Soils on the Productivity and Energy Balance of Sorghum Use for Energy

Short Introductive summary

This work analyses the influence of marginal soils on the productivity, biomass quality, and energy balance of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), assessing its potential as a sustainable energy crop. The study was based on a comparative analysis of scientific literature addressing sorghum productivity and biomass quality, as well as on energy balance calculations for different conversion routes: combustion, combined heat and power (CHP), gasification, pyrolysis, alcoholic fermentation, and lignocellulosic hydrolysis/fermentation. The total energy input for sorghum cultivation was estimated at 12.6 GJ/ha, including diesel, fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and machinery. Two productivity scenarios were considered: 4 t/ha, representing marginal soils with water or nutrient limitations, and 45 t/ha, corresponding to favourable edaphoclimatic conditions.

Presenter

Moderator portrait

Ana Luisa FERNANDO

Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Chemistry Dpt., PORTUGAL

Presenter's biography

Ana Luísa Fernando holds a PhD in Environmental Sciences. Associate Professor at Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa.Main scientific areas: energy crops, remediation of contaminated soils, valorization of agro residues.

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Co-authors:

A. L. Fernando, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, PORTUGAL
E. Magalhães, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica, PORTUGAL

Session reference: 1DV.4.23