OPTIMIZING POPULATION DENSITY OF ENERGYCANE FOR BIOMASS YIELD AND EVALUATING BAGASSE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE NANOCRYSTALS

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: TERMINATED
• Funding Source: EVANS-ALLEN
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1004506
• Project No.: GEOX-5216
• Project Start Date: Nov 19, 2014
• Project End Date: Aug 31, 2019

Project Director
Singh, HA, PR.

Recipient Organization
FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
1005 STATE UNIVERSITY DRIVE
FORT VALLEY,GA 31030

Performing Department
Plant Science 1810

Non Technical Summary
Farmers are always looking for crops to produce on marginal lands because of their limited ability to support good crop growth. Energycane is among the crops which can grow on marginal land with limited inputs and generate income through bioethanol production. The first step in developing a production system of a crop is to determine the optimum plant poulation. Therefore experiment will be conducted to find out the optimum betweeen and with-in plant spacing in energycane production.A large amount of bagasse is generated during the energycane juice squeezing process. Finding value added products from bagasse will add to the income generated from energycane production. Cellulosic nanocrystal is a high value byproductwhich can be produced from bagasse.These are used as nanocomposite reinformement agent in performance materials, electronics, catalysis, preparation of biomedical devices, implants, and textiles. The procedure to extract and characterize cellulosic nanocrystals from energycane bagasse will be developed.

Animal Health Component

0%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

25%

Applied

50%

Developmental

25%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
131	1629	1060	100%

Knowledge Area
131 - Alternative Uses of Land;

Subject Of Investigation
1629 - Perennial grasses, other;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);

Keywords

energycane

marginal land

plant population

cellulosic nanocrystals

Goals / Objectives
The goal of this project is to advance energycane biomass accumulation potential on marginal lands and to evaluate bagasse utilization in the production of cellulose nanocrytals. The specific objectives of the project are (i) to determine the effect of plant population density (inter- and- intra row spacing) on weed control, full canopy development time gap, and biomass yield of energycane, (ii) to extract cellulosic nanocrystals (CNCs) from energycane bagasse, and (iii) to characterize the cellulosic nanocrystals for use as reinforcing agent in the fabrication of bionanocomposites

Project Methods
A field experiment will be set up on marginal soil to examine the effect of plant population density (inter- and- intra row spacing) on canopy structure, root growth and biomass yield of energycane. Plant growth parameters such as plant height, leaf area index and canopy closure will be measured at different stages of growth. At the end of growing season plots will be harvested and the fresh and dry weight will be taken to determine the dry matter yield of biomass.Bleaching with acetic acid and sodium chloride will be carried out to remove lignin. The purification will be done by treating the pulp by sodium hydroxide and boiling under reflux with a mixture of nitric acid and ethanol. The purified bagasse cellulose will be used to extract cellulose nanocrystals by acid-hydrolysis. The cellulosic nanocrystals will be characterized by determining the surface morphology (shape and size), crystallinity index, and thermal stability.The evaluation will be objective driven and will begin in the year one. Yearly progress report will be prepared and the project progress evaluated to ensure adherence to the timeline. The time frame of the graduate student research for master thesis will be monitored to make sure that they graduate on time.

Progress 10/01/18 to 08/31/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Undergraduate students, Graduate students, farmers involved with renewable energy crop production. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate students got an opportunity to be trained in field/lab set up. Students had first-hand experience with field/lab instruments as well as laboratory techniques. Students were also were given exposure to cutting edge nanotechnology research through the Nanotechnology Forum presentation at Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Tech. A research assistant was fully trained in nanotechnology related laboratory experiments and techniques. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated to communities of interest through social media, news briefings, research stories, thesis research publications, research paper presentations at regional, national and international conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The grant period is coming to an end. Most of the scheduled actives are accomplished. A final report needs to be prepared and the journal article needs to be submitted for publication in peer-review journals.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Three master's students were able to successfully finish their field/laboratory experimental trials toward completion of Master of Science Degree at Fort Valley State University. The first student has completed field trials studying the impact of different spacing treatments on the biomass yield of energy cane cultivar HO 72-114. In addition to biomass yield, parameters like plant height, tiller number, leaf number, total chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis rate were also evaluated. The second student studied the preparation, properties, and application of cellulose fiber hydrogels for water conservation while the third one was able to prepare hydrophobic aerogels from microfibrillated cellulose as reusable and recyclable oil absorbents.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Degala, V.N. and H.P. Singh (2019). Optimization of Dialysis, Homogenization and Sonication Processes to Obtain Enhanced Yield of Cellulose Nanocrystals From Bioenergy Crops. ARD Research Symposium 2019 Making Critical Contributions to Rural Prosperity and Challenges in Food and Agriculture, March 30- April 3, 2019, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville, FL.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Woodford, Q., V.N. Degala, and H.P. Singh (2019). Preparation, Properties and Applications of Superabsorbent Hydrogels (SAP) from Cellulose Nanocrystals. ARD Research Symposium 2019 Making Critical Contributions to Rural Prosperity and Challenges in Food and Agriculture, March 30- April 3, 2019, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville, FL.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Chambers, Z, V.N. Degala, and H.P. Singh (2019). Hydrophobic Nanofibril Aerogels as Reusable and Recyclable Oil Absorbents. ARD Research Symposium 2019 Making Critical Contributions to Rural Prosperity and Challenges in Food and Agriculture, March 30- April 3, 2019, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville, FL.
• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Woodford, Q.L. (2019). Preparation, Properties and Application of Cellulose Fiber Hydrogels for Water Conservation. Master's Thesis, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA.
• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Chambers, C. (2019). Hydrophobic Aerogels from Microfibrillated Cellulose as Reusable and Recyclable Oil Absorbents. Master's Thesis, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA.
• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Williams, J. (2018). Effect of Row Spacing on Growth and Biomass Yield of Energy Cane Cultivar Ho 72-114. Master's Thesis, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Singh, H.P., Q. Woodford, and V.N. Degala (2019). Preparation of hydrogels from energy cane bagasse cellulose fibers. International Conference on Nanoscience, Nanotechnology & Advanced Materials (IC2NAM), Chicago, 22-23 June, 2019.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Singh, H.P., Q, Ma and J.Y. Zhu (2019). Production of Nanomaterials from Napier grass Biomass using a Recyclable Acid Hydrotrope. ARD Research Symposium 2019 Making Critical Contributions to Rural Prosperity and Challenges in Food and Agriculture, March 30- April 3, 2019, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville, FL.

Progress 11/19/14 to 08/31/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Undergraduate students, Graduate students, and farmers involved with renewable energy crop production. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Five (5) master's students were able to successfully finish their field/laboratory experimental trials toward completion of Master of Science Degree at Fort Valley State University during the grant period. Graduate students were provided hands-on training in field/lab set up. Students used instruments like photosynthesis efficiency analyzer, chlorophyll content meter, soil moisture probe, in-situ root imager, plant canopy analyzer, high magnification optical microscope, scanning electron microscope atomic force microscope and detailed lab safety training. Students were also were given exposure to cutting edge nanotechnology research through the Nanotechnology Forum presentation at Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Georgia Tech. A graduate course in nanotechnology is offered to graduate students, a shared and common access nanotechnology lab is established for faculty/staff use at Agricultural Research Station (ARS). A research assistant was fully trained in nanotechnology-related laboratory experiments and techniques. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated to communities of interest through social media, news briefings, research stories, thesis research publications, research paper presentations at regional, national and international conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The energy cane was planted in a field with six different plant spacings including three inter- (1.22, 1.52, and 1.83 m) and two intra-row (0.61 and 0.91 m) spacings. Data from growth, physiology, and biomass yield suggested that energy cane biomass yield may not be compromised if grown in commonly adopted plant spacing adopted for sugarcane planting. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were successfully extracted from energy cane biomass and bagasse using different treatments of strong (sulfuric and hydrochloric acid) and weak (phosphoric and formic acid) acids. Data also suggested that weak acids can be equally effective as strong acids and can be utilized in the acid hydrolysis process to extract CNC. In addition, the production of hydrogels and aerogels from energy cane bagasse and reinforcement capability of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) was also evaluated. Characterization of CNC's was successfully done using different combinations of CNC with hydroxyapatite (HAP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and polyethylene glycol (PEG).

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Singh, H.P., Q.L. Woodford, and V.N. Degala (2019). Preparation of Hydrogels from Energy Cane Bagasse Cellulose Fibers. International Journal of Advances in Science, Engineering and Technology (IJASEAT) Vol 7(3): 15-17.

Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Undergraduate students, Graduate students, farmers involved with renewable energy crop production. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate students were mentored and given training in nanotechnology. Students were able to develop individual projects and conducted independent research in the lab. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated to communities of interest through student/mentor participation and research paper presentation at regional, national and international conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue spacing experiment as originally planned and activities to train minority graduate and undergraduate students in the area of nanotechnology. Work with graduate students to get their experiments completed for thesis defense and submission of research findings to professional journals.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The plant population density (inter- and- intra row spacing) and its impact on biomass yield was evalauted, cellulosic nanocrystals (CNCs) were extracted from energycane bagasse. A journal article was accepted and published in journal of international repute. Undergraduate and graduate students were trained in nanotechnology. Students conducted independent research project and presented research results in a national or an international conference. Two graduate student continued their Masters' Thesis in the area of nanotechnology and expected to graduate in next reporting period.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Chiluwal, A., H.P. Singh, U. Sainju, B. Khanal, W.F. Whitehead, and B.P. Singh (2018). Spacing effect on energy cane growth, physiology and biomass yield. Crop Science, 58: (3) 1371-1384. https://doi.rg/10.2135/cropsci2017.08.0513
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Singh, H.P. and L.G. Chivukula (2018). Extraction of Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) from Energy cane Bagassae: A value Added Product. Plant Biology 2018. July 14-18 Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Undergraduate students, Graduate students, farmers involved with renewable energy crop production Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate students were mentored and given training in nanotechnology. Students were able to develop individual projects and conducted independent research in the lab. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated to communities of interest through student/mentor participation and research paper presentation at regional, national and international conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue spacing experiment as originally planned and activities to train minority graduate and undergraduate students in the area of nanotechnology.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The plant population density (inter- and- intra row spacing) and its impact on biomass yield was evalauted, cellulosic nanocrystals (CNCs) were extracted from energycane bagasse. Undergraduate and graduate students were trained in nanotechnology. Students conducted independent research project and presented research results in a national or an international conference. A graduate student submitted Masters' Thesis in the area of nanotechnology empasizing the potential use of CNC's in developing reinforcement material for tissue engineering applications.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Williams, J. A. Chiluwal and H.P. Singh (2017). Effect of Row Spacing on Biomass Yield of Energycane. 7th FVSU Research Day, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA. April 20th, Fort Valley, GA.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: H.P. Singh, L.G. Chivikula, and J. Mason (2017). Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNC) from Renewable Bioenergy Crops: A Sustainable Green Material for the Future. Annual Meeting of American Society of Agronomy, Southern Regional Branch, Feb 5-7, 2017, Mobile, AL.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Chivukula, L. G., and H.P. Singh (2017). Extraction of Cellulose Nanocrystals from Energy cane as Reinforcement Material for BioNanocomposites in Tissue Engineering. ARD Research Symposium 2017 1890 Research: Meeting 21st Century Challenges Through Innovation, April 1-4, 2017, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Chivukula, L. G., and H.P. Singh (2017). Effect of Cellulose Nanocrystal Reinforcement with Polyethylene glycol and Polyvinyl Alcohol on Hydrogel Production for Tissue Engineering Application. MANRRS 32nd Annual Career Fair and Training Conference, March 29-April 1, 2017, Pittsburg, PA.
• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Chivukula, L.G. (2017). Extraction of Cellulose Nanocrystals from Energy Cane Biomass and its Potential Use as a Reinforcement Material in Tissue Engineering. Master's Thesis, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Chivukula, L. G., and H.P. Singh (2017). Extraction and Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) from Energy Cane Bagasse using Hydrochloric Acid Hydrolysis. 7th FVSU Research Day, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA. April 20th, Fort Valley, GA.

Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Undergraduate students, Graduate students, farmers involved with renewable energy crop production Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Several graduate students as well as high school students were mentored and given training in nanotechnology. Students were able to develop individual projects and conducted independent research in the lab. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated to communities of interest through student/mentor participation and research paper presentation at regional, national and international conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue spacing experiment as originally planned and activities to train minority graduate and undergraduate students in the area of nanotechnology.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The plant population density (inter- and- intra row spacing) and its impact on biomass yield was evalauted, cellulosic nanocrystals (CNCs) were extracted from energycane bagasse. Undergraduate and graduate students were trained in nanotechnology. Students conducted independent research project and presented research results in a national or an international conference. A graduate student submitted Masters' Thesis in the area of nanotechnology.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Chivukula, G and H.P. Singh (2016). Sustainable Bio-Nanocomposites From Renewable Bioenergy Crops: Green Materials For Tissue Engineering. (EPA) International Environmental Youth Symposium 2016. Atlanta, GA September 8-9, 2016.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Smalling, J, and H.P. Singh (2016). Extraction and Characterization of Cellulosic Nanocrystals from Bioenergy Crops. 2016 Annual Research Day, The Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA, April 14, 2016.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Shivdat, S and H.P. Singh (2016). Use of nanotechnology to develop value added product from biomass of perennial energy crop on marginal land. EPA International Environmental Youth Symposium 2016. Atlanta, GA October 8-9, 2016.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Chivikula, L.G. and H.P. Singh (2016). Extraction of Cellulose Nanocrystals and its Potential use as Reinforcement Material in Tissue Engineering. 2016 Annual Research Day, The Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA, April 14, 2016.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Smalling, J. and H.P. Singh (2016). Extraction and characterization of cellulosic nanocrystals from bioenergy Crops. Oral Paper Presentation. Minorities in Agriculture Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) 31st Annual Career Fair and Training Conference, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, Jacksonville, FL. March 31- April 2, 2016.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Smalling and H.P. Singh (2015). Residual waste to cellulosic nanocrystals: Sustainable green materials for the future. (EPA) International Environmental Youth Symposium 2015. Atlanta, GA October 1-2, 2015.
• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Smalling, J. (2016). Extraction and characterization of cellulosic nanocrystals from bioenergy crops.Master's thesis, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA.

Progress 11/19/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Graduate research fraternity. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A graduate student has been trained. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The research results were presented in a scientific research conference. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The plant population density (inter- and- intra row spacing) and its impact on biomass yield was evalauted, cellulosic nanocrystals (CNCs) were extracted from energycane bagasse.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Smalling, J. and H.P. Singh (2015). Extraction and characterization of Cellulosic Nanocrystals from Energycane Bagasse. 2015 FVSU Sixth Annual Research Day, Fort Valley, GA. April 14, 2015