Põllumajandusministeeriumi ja Maaelu ... - bioenergybaltic

Summary.
Title: The fodder galega and the lucerne as energy crops in Estonia for dry mass direct
burning and for energy silage.
Tasks:
1. Compare species suitable for growing in the Estonia accordingly to purpose.
2. Analyze existent and necessary machines and technology for growing both plants on
potentially possible area.
3. Analyze crops effect to soil state and fertility change.
4. Estimate growing possibilities on the different regions of the Estonia caused of crosscompliance
demands.
5. Analyze restrictions and possibilities of both plants (incl. environmental aspects).
6. Assemble technological charts of fodder galega and lucerne.
7. Analyze environmental effect during life-cycle.
8. Give recommendations for fodder galega and lucerne implementations as energy crops
in Estonia.
Results.
In the Estonian variety list is represented 7 species of lucerne (which of 3 domestic varieties)
and one specie of fodder galega. Domestic varieties have better winter resistance and hence
these are more suitable for growing in Estonia. As general rule, varieties with growth stopping
factor >4 are more winter-resistant, than varieties with lower factor.
In Estonia is long experience of growing herbaceous plants. Therefore necessary machinery
and knowledge is already existent. Some fine tuning is of course needed. The massive
investments are required due our farms long period lack of investments in last years, but this is
not caused from change on the yield purpose.
Only change on conventional technology is caused from dry mass transport and storage. Dry
mass density is low and therefore need for deposition space is also noticeable. For this reason
the square bales are more suitable for transport and storage, than the round ones.
Fodder galega and lucerne as legumes are the soil state improvers. Strong and long roots are
reaching deep and can penetrate even hard soil. Nitrogen fixing bacteria and roots are living
on symbiosis and therefore plants do not need additional N-fertilizing. Other nutrients,
however, needed from fertilizers as usual. Mostly these nutrients are P and K, on some soils
also micronutrients.
Estonian soils are mostly suitable for both plants. Only acidous soils need some lime fertilize.
Lucerne is not having any environmentally hazardous aspects. Fodder galega, however, is
aggressive growth type and therefore must be grow accordingly to agrotechnological
requirements. Fodder galega can be invasive to native species, if grow irresponsibly.
Agrotechnological charts are assembled and calculations of consumed time, materials and
finances made. Calculations and explanations are represented on addendums 1-4.
Growing of the galega and the lucerne causes very little waste. Mostly these wastes are
packages of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides used. Also exhaust gazes from machinery. Plant
residues can be used as organic fertiliser on other species or themselves (not recommended
due plant diseases spreading hazard).
Both herbaceous plants are suitable for green mass and if wintering successfully, then also for
dry mass. But due low density, transport costs are high and therefore yield is more effective to
use on local boilers and biorefinerys.
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