Corn Crop Residues: Chemical Characterization and Biomethane Potential

With a view to the circular economy and environmental sustainability in agriculture, the recovery of crop residues is a strategic issue and an opportunity for the competitiveness of agro-food sector. Maize residues, due to their productivity and biomass quality, could be interesting both for the livestock sector (litter or forage) and for energy valorization as biomethane. This study was carried out within the 'Mais100%' project (http://mais100.it) aimed to test different innovative harvesting solutions for maize stalks and leaves (after mash or grain harvest). The paper reports results of the qualitative characterization and the biomethane potential of the maize residue samples taken in different maize farms, with different harvesting systems.