By Andi Anderson
In Indiana, known for its abundant corn production, researchers are exploring corn stover—the leftover stalks, leaves, and husks from corn harvests—as a climate-friendly fuel alternative.
While corn-derived ethanol has been a primary biofuel source, it isn’t as environmentally friendly as fuels produced from other biomass materials like grasses, wood, and algae. Corn stover could be an effective alternative, offering both economic and environmental benefits to Indiana farmers.
Corn cultivation typically requires a higher input of fossil fuels for fertilizers, pesticides, and fuel for tractors. This can lead to increased carbon emissions compared to other biomass sources.
However, corn remains economically viable for Indiana farmers who can sell it for both ethanol production and cattle feed. By utilizing corn stover, farmers can reduce waste and contribute to sustainable fuel production without sacrificing the benefits of their main crop.
Jennifer Pett-Ridge, a researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and author of Indiana’s Roads to Removal report, highlights that most crops have residual materials that can be repurposed as biomass.
She explains that about half of corn stover is usually incorporated back into the soil, which helps maintain soil health. The other half, however, often decomposes on the soil’s surface, releasing carbon dioxide in the process.
This leftover stover, if redirected, could instead be used to generate energy and manufacture other eco-friendly products.
Pett-Ridge points out that corn stover has multiple potential uses, from creating biochar to generating hydrogen fuel.
“Everything from gasification to hydrogen — which is a really growing space. You have a hydrogen hub here in Indiana, but it’s very, very young,” she noted. Biochar, a type of burnt organic material, can enhance soil fertility and help capture carbon dioxide, making it an effective tool in climate management.
Corn stover could play a role in the production of sustainable jet fuel and even asphalt, opening new market opportunities for farmers. Indiana’s investment in this research could lead to a greener future by reducing carbon emissions associated with traditional ethanol and contributing to the state’s development of a more climate-friendly biofuel industry.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-oticki
Categories: Indiana, Sustainable Agriculture