Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Punjab Bioenergy Institute, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Feb;29(9):13268-13278. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-16688-z. Epub 2021 Sep 28.
Energy security is a prime focus of policy makers to support agriculture, industrialisation, and transportation. Due to limited conventional energy sources, there is a need to harness non-conventional energy sources. In this regard, one of the proposed approaches is using biomass (e.g. energy crops) to produce biofuel-a renewable source of energy. Sunflower has several agronomic features to be exploited for a renewable, non-conventional, and environment-friendly source of bioenergy. Sulphur (S) fertilisation holds key for realising sunflower potential for seed and oil yield. In response to variable S supply rates, here we compared and quantified sunflower yield (seed, oil, and biodiesel) and biodiesel quality according to the ASTM international standards. We used a combined approach of field experimentation and rigorous lab analysis. Firstly, in a field experiment laid out in randomised complete block design with split-plot arrangement, response of two local sunflower hybrids (FH-331 and FH-689) to four S supply rates (0, 25, 50, 75 kg S ha) was evaluated in terms of agronomic traits. Experimental data showed that fertilisation of S significantly influenced growth and yield (seed, oil) traits; the response was different between two hybrids which also interacted with S supply rate. FH-331 recorded the highest achene yield at S fertilisation of 75 kg S ha, whereas FH-689 recorded the highest achene yield at 50 kg ha; achene yield of FH-331 was 13.6% higher than FH-689. Compared to control, S at 75 kg S ha increased oil yield of FH-331 by 22% whereas S at 50 kg ha increased oil yield by 23% of FH-689. Seed samples were analysed for different biodiesel quality parameters. The ranges of all quality parameters of sunflower biodiesel such as viscosity, calorific values, acid value, iodine value, saponification value, cetane number, and pour point were in ASTM standard range. We conclude that sunflower is a promising and sustainable option for producing biodiesel, the potential of which can be increased by optimal S management under field conditions.
能源安全是政策制定者支持农业、工业化和交通运输的首要关注点。由于传统能源有限，因此需要利用非传统能源。在这方面，一种被提议的方法是利用生物质（例如能源作物）来生产生物燃料——一种可再生能源。向日葵具有许多农业特征，可以作为一种可再生、非传统和环境友好的生物能源来源加以利用。硫（S）施肥对于实现向日葵在种子和油产量方面的潜力至关重要。在这里，我们根据国际 ASTM 标准，比较和量化了响应可变 S 供应率的向日葵产量（种子、油和生物柴油）和生物柴油质量，以响应可变 S 供应率。我们采用了田间试验和严格实验室分析相结合的方法。首先，在随机完全区组设计和裂区布置的田间试验中，评估了两种当地向日葵杂种（FH-331 和 FH-689）对四种 S 供应率（0、25、50、75kg S ha）的响应，评价指标为农艺性状。实验数据表明，S 施肥显著影响生长和产量（种子、油）性状；两种杂种之间的反应不同，与 S 供应率也有相互作用。在 S 施肥 75kg S ha 时，FH-331 的结实产量最高，而在 S 施肥 50kg ha 时，FH-689 的结实产量最高；FH-331 的结实产量比 FH-689 高 13.6%。与对照相比，S 施肥 75kg S ha 增加了 FH-331 的油产量 22%，而 S 施肥 50kg ha 增加了 FH-689 的油产量 23%。对种子样品进行了不同生物柴油质量参数的分析。向日葵生物柴油的所有质量参数（如粘度、热值、酸值、碘值、皂化值、十六烷值和倾点）均在 ASTM 标准范围内。我们得出结论，向日葵是生产生物柴油的有前途和可持续的选择，通过在田间条件下进行最佳 S 管理，可以提高其潜力。
