Best agronomic practices for biomass accumulation and tissue quality of two sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) varieties grown for biofuel in the tropics.

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dc.contributor.advisorKrueger, Nicholas
dc.contributor.authorRule, Brian
dc.contributor.departmentTropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science
dc.date.accessioned2025-06-27T18:44:33Z
dc.date.available2025-06-27T18:44:33Z
dc.date.issued2025-05
dc.description.degreeM.S.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10790/43992
dc.subjectAgronomy
dc.subjectAgriculture
dc.subjectSoil sciences
dc.subjectCultivar
dc.subjectEnergycane
dc.subjectHawai‘i
dc.subjectLignin
dc.subjectSustainable aviation fuel
dc.titleBest agronomic practices for biomass accumulation and tissue quality of two sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) varieties grown for biofuel in the tropics.
dc.typeThesis
dcterms.abstractIn support of the United Nations Net Zero Coalition, which aims to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to near zero, identifying sustainable alternatives to fossil-based jet fuel is a global priority. Aviation accounts for approximately 2% of global emissions, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production depends heavily on lipid-based feedstocks such as soybean and used cooking oils. These sources are limited by feedstock availability and supply chain constraints. As processing technologies advance, lignocellulosic biomass has emerged as a promising alternative. Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) cultivars bred for high fiber and low sugar content, called energycanes, are desirable due to their high yields, suitable tissue composition, and compatibility with tropical climates.In a multi-year factorial field experiment conducted in Hilo, Hawai'i, this study evaluated the agronomic and biochemical performance of two energycane cultivars, H68-1158 and H78-0292. Treatments included three harvest durations (18-month, a 10-month ratoon, and 28-month) and three nitrogen fertilization regimes (0 and 150 N ha-1 yr-1 and 300 kg N ha⁻¹). Measured variables included biomass yield, fiber composition, sucrose concentration, and theoretical ethanol yield. Cultivar H68-1158 outperformed H78-0292 in total biomass and theoretically recoverable sugar (TRS), resulting in significantly higher estimated ethanol yields. H78-0292, in contrast, exhibited lower TRS, Brix, and sucrose traits favorable for lignocellulosic conversion. Findings support the dual-purpose potential of established sugarcane germplasm for both sugar-based and cellulosic biofuel production. Long-duration growth cycles enhanced fermentable sugar output, and pre- and post-soil analyses confirmed no immediate nutrient depletion other than potassium. Overall, this study highlights energycane’s viability as a tropical biofuel feedstock and underscores the importance of agronomic optimization to balance yield and land use efficiency for SAF production.
dcterms.extent47 pages
dcterms.languageen
dcterms.publisherUniversity of Hawaii at Hilo
dcterms.rightsAll UHH dissertations and theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission from the copyright owner.
dcterms.typeText
local.identifier.alturihttps://www.proquest.com/LegacyDocView/DISSNUM/32114003

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