Can bioenergy crops be raised sustainably without use of herbicides, pesticides, etc.?
Bioenergy crops need only one-tenth the amounts of herbicides and pesticides required on average by agricultural crops, but it may be hard to reduce this further without accepting uneconomically low yields. Both tree crops and switchgrass require herbicide application prior to establishment and during the first year to minimize competition from weeds until the crops are well established. Sustainable management of biomass crops requires that soil and water quality be protected. This can be done by applying herbicides and pesticides only as required to minimize competition and economic damage. Timing application to outbreaks of pests or weeds can minimize chemical requirements and off-site impacts. Studies are showing that herbicide migration into groundwater does not occur with application to biomass crops.
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- Can bioenergy crops be raised sustainably without use of herbicides, pesticides, etc.?