A major agricultural phenomenon of the first decade of the 21st century has been the rise of biofuels, and as it draws to a close, it’s a useful time to take stock.
A new major report on biofuels by UNEP1 helps us do this by usefully summarizing the current global biofuels situation. Biofuels now account for 1.8% of transport fuels with ethanol production having tripled between 2000 and 2007 and biodiesel production rising eleven-fold. Mandates to blend biofuel into fossil fuels for vehicles had been enacted in 17 countries by 2006, mostly requiring blending with 10 to 15% ethanol or 2 to 5% biodiesel. In short, biofuels has become a major business with all the momentum that such a new commercial endeavour can create. Thus Brazil exported 5 bn L of ethanol in 2008 and investment in biofuels rose to US$4 bn in 2007 and has most likely risen substantially since then. So much for recent history: when we come to the future however, projections vary wildly, from a pessimistic energy provision of 40 EJ/annum2 to 200 to 400 EJ per annum or even higher by 2050. This compares to current fossil fuel energy use of 388 EJ/annum. The report considers that the most realistic range is 40 to 85 EJ/annum by 2050. Shorter term projections expect biomass and waste to contribute 56 EJ/annum by 2015 and 68EJ/annum by 2030. Most of this increase is expected to come in USA, EU, Brazil and China.
The report makes the important point that in making future projections there are major uncertainties regarding the demand for land for agriculture, especially considering expected low growth in crop yields, expanding populations as well as yield and land degradation due to climate change.
Twelve plants at 'Gatos Güeros' Farm was pruned August 25, 2009. When it some branches shown abundant sprouting. 9 days after prune: 15 days after prune: 29 days after the prune: …
Started by JOSE INES BAZAN-MOTA in CAB Abstracts Hints and Tips Jan 31.
Verno Systems, Inc. is looking for someone to fill an entry-level position as a Research Analyst supporting the efforts of the Agronomy team. Verno is based in Seattle, WA.Qualified applicants should…
Tagged: research, agronomy, jobs
Started by Michael Poteet in BIE Site and Features Discussion Jan 27.
A very good compilation of the efforts to develop a technical guide to growing jatropha for the Peruvian colleagues. A document in spanish. To download it log on to: http://groups.google.com/group/j…
Started by JOSE INES BAZAN-MOTA in CAB Abstracts Hints and Tips Jan 1.
I was looking for information on as to what insect pests and diseases attack Jatropha (either the crop J. curcas) or the weed (J. jatrophiifolia) and found very little so far. There was one abstract…
Started by Matthew Cock in Jatropha. Last reply by JOSE INES BAZAN-MOTA Dec. 22, 2009.
As such no disease and pest have been recorded in cultivated area. As the cultivated area is dry land, natural Termite ( Odontotermis sp.) colony/ Mound is found in the area that causes no harm to th…
Started by Prof. Narayan Chandra Chattopadhyay in Jatropha. Last reply by Marimuthu Subramanian Dec. 7, 2009.
A graphic compendium of the pest that a PhD student found on jatropha plants at Veracruz, México. The help of entomologist will be very useful. Photos and text on: http://biofuelexperts.ning.com/pro…
Started by JOSE INES BAZAN-MOTA in Jatropha. Last reply by JOSE INES BAZAN-MOTA Dec. 1, 2009.
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