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The agricultural production of maize (Zea mays L.) increases the risk of water erosion. Perennial crops like cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) offer a sustainable alternative to produce biomass for biogas plants. The assessment of soil conservation measures requires calibrated soil erosion models that spatially identify soil erosion processes. These support decision-making by farmers and policymakers. Input parameters for the physically based soil erosion model EROSION 3D for cup plant cultivation were established in a field study. Rainfall simulation experiments were conducted to determine the model input parameter's skinfactor and surface roughness. The results showed a reduction of soil erosion and higher infiltration rates for cup plant resulting in higher skinfactors of 11.5 in June and 0.75 post-harvest (cup plant) compared to 1.2 in June and 0.21 post-harvest (maize). With the extended parameter catalogue of EROSION 3D for cup plant cultivation model simulations were conducted for a rainfall event in June (64 mm). The sediment budget would have been reduced by 92.6% through the growth of cup plant in comparison to conventionally grown maize. Perennial cup plant can, therefore, contribute to achieving the targets outlined in the European Green Deal by reducing soil erosion and enhancing soil health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silphium perfoliatum, an energy crop with a high fiber content but low concentrations of fermentable carbohydrates, presents challenges for complete fermentation in biogas production. To overcome this, a bioeconomic approach proposes the use of the fibers for paper and board production, which requires high-quality silage with minimal butyric acid, which affects the marketability of the fibers. This study aims to optimize the silaging process of Silphium perfoliatum by investigating the effects of harvest date, bacterial cultures and additives on fermentation results. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of three harvest dates on fermentation acid composition, with a focus on increasing lactic acid production to inhibit butyric acid formation. Results indicate that an early harvest date (early September) is critical for achieving stable fermentation and minimizing ensiling losses. The addition of sugar-rich additives, such as syrup, was found to be essential, especially for later harvest dates. Despite these interventions, a late harvest (early November) consistently resulted in suboptimal fermentation. The results suggest that optimizing harvest timing and incorporating appropriate additives are key strategies for producing high quality silage and ensuring the suitability of Silphium perfoliatum fibers for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silphium perfoliatum, an energy crop with a high fiber content but low concentrations of fermentable carbohydrates, presents challenges for complete fermentation in biogas production. To overcome this, a bioeconomic approach proposes the use of the fibers for paper and board production, which requires high-quality silage with minimal butyric acid, which affects the marketability of the fibers. This study aims to optimize the silaging process of Silphium perfoliatum by investigating the effects of harvest date, bacterial cultures and additives on fermentation results. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of three harvest dates on fermentation acid composition, with a focus on increasing lactic acid production to inhibit butyric acid formation. Results indicate that an early harvest date (early September) is critical for achieving stable fermentation and minimizing ensiling losses. The addition of sugar-rich additives, such as syrup, was found to be essential, especially for later harvest dates. Despite these interventions, a late harvest (early November) consistently resulted in suboptimal fermentation. The results suggest that optimizing harvest timing and incorporating appropriate additives are key strategies for producing high quality silage and ensuring the suitability of Silphium perfoliatum fibers for industrial applications.

For higher sustainability in biomass production the use of new perennial species can lead to sustainable progress in the energy production and manufacturing industry. During the last decades, two different species of Silphium were discussed for biomass production. However, some questions regarding their cultivation and different uses are still to be answered. In this study, two accessions of Silphium perfoliatum L. and Silphium integrifolium Michx. were investigated during the year of establishment, and the first generative year for the phenotypic characteristics and suitability for cultivation, under Central European field conditions. Intra- and interspecific comparisons were made with special attention to their growth kinetics. While cup plant (S. perfoliatum) is well known as a potential biomass crop in Europe, silflower (S. integrifolium) is still unknown. In intraspecific comparison, S. integrifolium shows a more uniform development than S perfoliatum. In parallel, the development of S. perfoliatum accessions is temporally shifted, so that the S. perfoliatum accessions differ in the length of their phases of generative growth and onset of senescence in comparison to S. integrifolium. To make these results applicable, an improvement proposal was made to the existing BBCH scale for S. perfoliatum. In addition, an adaptation was conducted on S. integrifolium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The effects of novel perennial energy crops on arthropod abundance and diversity were tested using three field trials in Bavaria. Established cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum), Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita) and tall wheat grass (Thinopyrum ponticum) plots were sampled in autumn using a modified leaf blower and their arthropod faunas compared with that recorded in maize plots. At the time of sampling, maize, cup plant and Virginia mallow had already been harvested and samples from the remaining stubble were compared with those from open ground. Collembola were the most abundant group. The highest abundance and diversity of arthropods was recorded in tall wheat grass, with Hemiptera and Aranea especially benefitting from the green and taller vegetation. Post-harvest cup plant and Virginia mallow plots harboured a more diverse and more abundant arthropod assemblage than maize plots. Stubble was identified as a suitable habitat for arthropods in agricultural fields. In conclusion, the integration of perennial energy crops into existing biogas production systems could play an important role in supporting arthropods in agricultural landscapes by providing crucial structures and resources, such as the grassy vegetation of tall wheat grass in autumn and the long-lasting stubbles of cup plant and Virginia mallow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability of biogas production is strongly dependent on soil‐borne greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during feedstock cultivation. Maize (Zea mays) is the most common feedstock for biogas production in Europe. Since it is an annual crop requiring high fertilizer input, maize cropping can cause high GHG emissions on sites that, due to their hydrology, have high N2O emission potential. On such sites, cultivation of cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) as a perennial crop could be a more environmentally friendly alternative offering versatile ecosystem services. To evaluate the possible benefits of perennial cup plant cropping on GHG emissions and nitrogen losses, an incubation study was conducted with intact soil cores from a maize field and a cup plant field. The 15N gas flux method was used to quantify N source‐specific N2 and N2O fluxes. Cumulated N2O emissions and N2+N2O emissions did not differ significantly between maize and cup plant soils, but tended to be higher in maize soil. Soils from both systems exhibited relatively high and similar N2O/(N2+N2O) ratios (N2Oi). N2O emissions originating from sources other than the 15N‐labelled NO3 pool were low, but were the only fluxes exhibiting a significant difference between the maize and cup plant soils. Missing differences in fluxes derived from the 15N pool indicate that under the experimental conditions with high moisture and NO3‐ level, and without plants, the cropping system had little effect on N fluxes related to denitrification. Lower soil pH and higher bulk density in the cup plant soil are likely to have reduced the mitigation potential of perennial biomass cropping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to generate a consistent data set for biorefinery intermediates from novel energy crop Silphium perfoliatum compared with Fagus sylvatica, including process streams from liquid hot water pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation with Bacillus licheniformis. The consistency of the data set was further supported by the application of a consistent analytical method based on high performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection and validated for process intermediates, which renders the technique a versatile analytical tool also for alcoholic compounds. For the first time, Silphium perfoliatum was used for liquid hot water pretreatment which resulted in a maximal absolute glucose recovery after enzymatic hydrolysis for feedstock pretreated with 200 °C, 20 min, 20% solid loading. Under these conditions, 68% glucose were recovered for Silphium perfoliatum and 62% for Fagus sylvatica. Further, enzymatic hydrolyzates of both feedstocks were successfully used as single carbon sources for 2,3-butanediol fermentation with Bacillus licheniformis resulting in a 2,3-butanediol yield of 39% and 31% of the theoretical yield for Silphium perfoliatum and Fagus sylvatica, respectively. Thus, the technical suitability of Silphium perfoliatum as feedstock for a liquid hot water–based biorefinery process was comprehensively demonstrated and successfully bore the comparison with Fagus sylvatica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial energy crop (PEC) fields need to be reintegrated into the farm's crop rotation when yield performance declines after years of use or when the farm operation requires it. In this study, 8‐year‐old stands of cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) and lucerne grass followed by field grass were converted to arable cropping, while continuous silage maize (Zea mays L.) grown over the same period served as a control. The study aimed to assess changes in the weed flora, control of cup plant regrowth, pre‐crop value of PECs for subsequently grown maize and N release through mineralization of crop litter and soil organic matter in the first year after converting the PECs. The previously practiced cropping systems resulted in widely divergent maize weed populations. About 90% of the cup plant volunteers were successfully eliminated by two treatments of herbicides containing clopyralid. Maize following cup plant exhibited a faster soil cover, earlier male and female flowering, taller plants and a 10.6% and 13.6% higher aboveground biomass yield than former field grass and maize respectively. The N release by mineralization of 222 and 238 kg N ha−1 following cup plant and field grass conversion, respectively, clearly exceeded the 129 kg N ha−1 observed in the maize control. The residual mineral nitrogen in the 90 cm soil profile after the maize harvest was also significantly higher in the former field grass and cup plant plots than in the maize control. The excess N in the first year after reverting to annual cropping runs the risk of N leaching. Given that N fertilization is substantially reduced after cup plant and field grass conversion, maize appears to be a well‐suited follow‐up crop due to its good suppression of cup plant volunteers and high N uptake capacity which helps minimize nutrient losses to the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to estimate the effect of granulated sewage sludge on the productivity of the cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.), soil physical and microbial properties, a field experiment was carried out in Western Lithuania, on a naturally acid moraine loam Bathygleyic Dystric Glossic Retisol with a pH of 4.3-4.9. The dry matter yield of the cup plant consistently increased over the experimental years from 2.83 t ha-1 (in 2013) to 12.86 t ha-1 (in 2016). Each year, the optimum sewage sludge rate for dry matter yield of cup plant was 45 t ha-1. The use of both sewage sludge rates 45 and 90 t ha-1 had a similar and positive impact on soil chemical composition, water-stable aggregate formation, topsoil bulk density, soil penetration resistance and moisture content. Each experimental year, the application of sewage sludge at a rate of 90 t ha-1 had the strongest impact on the increase in soil microbial biomass carbon at the 0-30 cm depth. Experimental results suggest that when growing cup plant as an energy crop on a moraine loam Retisol, it is expedient to use granulated sewage sludge at a rate of 45 t ha-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising demand for renewable resources has increased silage maize (Zea mays L.) production characterized by intensive soil management, high fertilizer and pesticide inputs as well as simplified crop rotations. Advantages of renewable biomass production may thus be cancelled out by adverse environmental effects. Perennial crops, like cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.), are said to benefit arthropods. Substituting silage maize could hence increase biodiversity and foster ecosystem services. This study aimed at comparing the attractiveness of both crops to arthropods, which are either flower-visiting or active in the crop canopy. Further, results were scaled to the landscape level to optimize crop partitioning concerning yields and species diversity. A field experiment with conventionally tilled annual and perennial no-tilled crops was established in 2015 near Munich (Germany). The crops chosen were insect-pollinated cup plant and wind-pollinated maize. Arthropods were sampled between June and September 2016. Four replicated UV-active pan traps, consisting of three bowls each, were used to catch arthropods at the actual crop height on five sampling dates. The collected arthropods were counted and taxonomically determined. In total 3810 individuals (Arachnida : 52; Insecta : 3758) from 9 orders (115 taxonomic groups) were collected. Silage maize mostly showed lower diversity values, indicating higher biodiversity in cup plant. However, the differences were small. Nevertheless, cup plant harbored more pollinators and parasitoids. Finding an optimal combination of both crops based on diversity gains is thus not straightforward. However, integrating cup plant to silage maize production systems allows increasing arthropod diversity by means of moderate yield reduction. Image 1 • 3810 individuals from 115 taxonomic groups collected in silage maize and cup plant. • Total species richness and abundance of arthropods are higher in cup plant. • Cup plant fosters Hymenoptera and especially pollinators and parasitoids. • Cup plant increases arthropod diversity by means of moderate silage maize yield reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing production of annual bioenergy crops such as maize has led to regional land-use changes, causing further shortages of already scarce floral resources for pollinators. Diversification of energy crop production with flowering crops is discussed as a mitigation strategy. The perennial Silphium perfoliatum, characterized by a flowering period between July and September, represents a promising candidate crop., The present study aimed to investigate the management and landscape conditions under which a cultivation of S. perfoliatum could be an effective measure for pollinator conservation. In this context, hoverflies served as suitable indicators as a result of the different feeding behaviours of adults (floral resources) and larvae (mostly zoophagous or microphagous)., We compared abundance and species richness of adult hoverflies in 15 flowering S. perfoliatum fields in Germany with that in neighbouring habitats (maize fields, ditches/brooks and forest edges) and tested whether the landscape composition influenced local abundance and species richness in S. perfoliatum fields depending on larval feeding type., Only microphagous hoverflies were more abundant in S. perfoliatum fields than in neighbouring habitats, primarily in mid- September. This might be explained by the different activity periods and adaptations to flower traits of the two hoverfly groups. Although the abundance of zoophagous hoverflies was positively influenced by a higher crop diversity, the abundance and species richness of microphagous hoverflies responded positively to higher proportions of semi-natural habitats in the surroundings., Silphium perfoliatum can support certain hoverfly groups when it is harvested late to ensure a flower supply through to September and when semi-natural habitats are maintained in agricultural landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possible use of energy crops and aquaculture for bioenergy production has only recently become a research target, so there is little information on their properties and advantages. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible use of cup plant, as well as marine and freshwater algae (Scenedesmus sp. and Chlorella sp.) for biogas production. Research of a batch anaerobic digestion process at a mesophilic temperature were performed using wet wastewater sludge, cattle manure, fresh microalgae biomass and dry marine algae, cup plant biomass and mixtures of these materials. The highest biogas yield (541.28 ml g-1 VS) was obtained by using a new feedstock from the microalgae Scenedesmus sp. biomass. That yield was 1.4 times higher than the biogas yield from cattle manure and 15% lower than the biogas yield from wastewater sludge. It was found that adding microalgae biomass to a cattle manure substrate increases biogas production approx. 1.5 times. The highest methane concentration in biogas produced from microalgae ranges from 64.87% to 66.66% and exceeds the methane amount (64.26%) in biogas produced from wastewater sludge. The methane amount in biogas produced from cattle manure, cup plant and marine algae biomass is lower than 60%. In addition, it was found that it is possible to produce 5,092.3 m3 of biogas or 113 GJ of energy from 1 ha of harvested cup plant biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing awareness of the importance of biodiversity in agroecosystems to increase and ensure the supply of biomass has led to an interest from governments, farmers and biogas plant operators in alternative crops for biogas production. This article reviews the available research results on one such alternative crop, Silphium perfoliatum L., in terms of the requirements for biomass production and relevance as a biogas substrate. S. perfoliatum L. is a tall, perennial, yellow flowering plant with a high ecological value that is particularly suitable as an energy crop owing to its low maintenance requirements and high biomass and biogas yields. The crop is productive for around 15 years and is native to the temperate latitudes (of North America) and can be adapted to regions with similar climate conditions, like Europe. Currently, crop establishment is more successful when planted from seedlings as opposed to sowing seeds directly, owing to poor seed quality and lack of seed technology. Weed management measures are high in the year of establishment, but are not necessary in subsequent years. Harvesting at the end of the flowering season gives the best dry matter yields and provides material to make good silage. From the small amount of data currently available, the annual harvest yield (dry matter) is around 15 t ha −1 and the biomethane potential (35 days) is around 0.260 m 3 kg −1 on an organic dry matter basis (around 20% lower than maize silage). There is still a great need for research on this crop, particularly in developing a seed technology, investigating its susceptibility to potential plant pathogens, finding a suitable herbicide for weed management in the establishment year, and investigating the effect of this biomass in full-scale biogas plants. Overall, this crop is a very promising alternative crop for biogas production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resulting from the wide range of usages of bio-methane, anaerobic digestion has become a major issue. Beside biogenic residues, the cultivation of energy crops has significantly been expanded in Europe. Due to the increasing competition for land, sites with a low value for food production are predestined for cultivating feedstocks. Numerous studies have shown that perennial energy crops (PECs) present a valuable alternative to annual energy crops since they combine sound energy yields with substantial ecological advantages. Particularly under unprivileged sites conditions, PECs may fully leverage their strengths. Soils showing long lasting periods of soil moisture above field capacity (Stagnosols) were evaluated to be critical for silage maize cultivation as heavy harvest machinery may cause severe soil damages. Additionally, juvenile development of maize suffers from stagnant soil water. This study aimed to verify the results of a former pot experiment in which cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) showed early sprouting, fast biomass development and higher yields under a soil water regime typical for Stagnosols. Thus, in the presented field experiment, silage maize and cup plant, were cultivated on well-drained soils (Cambisols) and on Stagnosols, and were compared concerning biomass and energy yields. On Stagnosols, the cup plant benefited likely from the higher soil water availability and produced average biomass yields of 14.3 t ha−1 a−1 being about 40% higher than on well-drained soils. The biochemical methane potential was 305 L N kg−1 VS and not affected by the soil type. Nonetheless, the methane yields per area of cup plant were still 35% lower than those of silage maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial energy crops as an alternative to maize (Zea mays L.) have the potential to promote biodiversity and associated ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. Ground beetle (Carabidae) assemblages of cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.), Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita L.) and tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum Podp.) were assessed in four replicated field trials in Bavaria and compared to an annual crop rotation (winter rye (Secale cereale L.)), maize, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)). Additionally ground beetle fauna in cup plant was compared to that in maize on fields under real farm conditions at six sites in Bavaria with widely diverging soil–climate conditions. Ground beetles were collected in pitfall traps in winter (one field trial), spring (four field trials) and summer (six fields) in 2017. Overall, results for activity density and species richness of ground beetles under perennials compared to annuals were site-specific and there were no pronounced differences of species compositions. The highest activity density of seed-eating ground beetles occurred in Virginia mallow, which was invaded by weeds. Some indication of benefits for hibernation and larval development in cup plant were found. Tall wheat-grass had the lowest ground beetle diversity and activity density of all crops. Species accumulation curves on farmed fields in summer indicated higher species richness of ground beetle fauna in cup plant than in maize. Diversification of cultivated plants with perennial energy crops can provide additional niches for ground beetles, such as undisturbed soil. Effects, however, varied with site and species/genus in a complex manner. • Assessment of ground beetle assemblages in field trials and under real farm conditions. • High importance of weeds for ground beetle diversity in novel energy crops. • Minor indications of niche enrichment by cup plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silphium perfoliatum is a perennial crop native to North America that has been the subject of increased scientific interest in recent years, especially in Europe. It is drought- and frost-resistant, which makes it suitable for cultivation in Europe on marginal lands that are not used for growing other crops. This review analyzed the distribution and purposes of the cultivation of Silphium perfoliatum worldwide, as well as its biomass yields and characteristics as a feedstock for biogas production and other purposes. A total of 121 scientific publications on Silphium perfoliatum were identified, with the highest number (20 papers) published in 2019. It was found that higher biomass yields can be obtained at higher precipitation levels, with the use of fertilizers and an adequate type of plantation. The mean dry matter yield of Silphium perfoliatum was 13.3 Mg ha−1 DM (dry matter), and it ranged from 2 to over 32 Mg ha−1 DM. In some countries, Silphium is used as a forage crop mainly due to its high crude protein content (from 4.9% to 15% DM), depending on the vegetation phase. Silphium perfoliatum is a promising perennial crop in terms of energy and other benefits for biodiversity, soil quality and applications in medicine and pharmacology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current global temperature increases resulting from human activity threaten many ecosystems and societies, and have led to international and national policy commitments that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bioenergy crops provide one means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy production and two novel crops that could be used for this purpose are Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby and Silphium perfoliatum L. This research examined the existing scientific literature available on both crops through a systematic review. The data were collated according to the agronomy, uses, and environmental benefits of each crop. Possible challenges were associated with high initial planting costs, low yields in low rainfall areas, and for Sida hermaphrodita, vulnerability to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. However, under appropriate environmental conditions, both crops were found to provide large yields over sustained periods of time with relatively low levels of management and could be used to produce large energy surpluses, either through direct combustion or biogas production. Other potential uses included fodder, fibre, and pharmaceutical uses. Environmental benefits included the potential for phytoremediation, and improvements to soil health, biodiversity, and pollination. The review also demonstrated that environmental benefits, such as pollination, soil health, and water quality benefits could be obtained from the use of Sida hermaphrodita and Silphium perfoliatum relative to existing bioenergy crops such as maize, whilst at the same time reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. Future research should examine the long-term implications of using Sida hermaphrodita and Silphium perfoliatum as well as improve knowledge on how to integrate them successfully within existing farming systems and supply chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]