A Study of the Potential of Planting, Yield and Utilization of Napier Pakchong 1 Grass as Feedstock for Renewable Energy in Lam Chiang Krai Watershed, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

This research aims to evaluate land, determine suitable areas for the Napier Pakchong 1
grass, using the principles of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,
and study the potential of planting, yield and utilization as feedstock for renewable energy
in Lam Chiang Krai watershed, Nakhon Ratchasima province. An experimental design of
2 x 5 factorial in RCBD, with 4 replication was created including the diff erent electrical
conductivity of the two experimental plots (6.58, 7.80 dS/m) and the fi ve periods of plant
age (30, 45, 60, 75, 90 days). The results revealed that the majority of watershed’s area was
moderately suitable area (84.78 %), with EC 4 - 8 dS/m, and Low nutrient availability index,
therefore, fertilizing before planting was necessary for good results. It was found that the
experimental plot at EC 6.58 dS/m was higher than that of the experimental plot at the EC
7.80 dS/m in all ages, signifi cantly (P < 0.01), except for the number of shoots per clump;
NDF fi ber and ADF fi ber, had no statistical signifi cant diff erences (P > 0.01). Overview,
the quantity and quality of grass on the experiment at 90 days revealed that the highest
yields, harvesting 4 times per year. The Utilization showed that the potential areas yielding
fresh grass for the power generation of the suitability areas including highly, moderate and
marginal areas were 0.47, 84.78 and 6.13 % of the watershed, respectively. Thus, overview
of the watershed area had an average of fresh grass yield at 61.11 tons per rai per year
with the spatial yield of 60 %. The potential of the fresh grass yield for power generation
mean was at 37.45 milliontons per year, power generation at 1,044.99 megawatts.
The moderate suitable area had the highest fresh grass yield potential for maximum power
generation.