Silphie

Presentation of the Silphie perfoliée

We have been working for several years with Silphie France for the French market.

The variety ABICA Perfo distributed todayby our company Seedenergies in collaboration with SILPHIE FRANCE responds fully to the climate and the issues of the French territory.

The success and the guarantee ofa germination rate of more than 90%, havea selection of seeds drastic and da processing pre-germinal Factory.

With the network Silphie France, it is nowmore than 4 000 ha implanted in 67 counties in 2022 in France.

Technique of seeding

To obtain a density of semi-satisfactory, with a good regularity and selectivity of theimplementation of the silphie perfoliée crop it should be .to sow with a Planter Monograine with specific disk contact us.

Seed bed preparation

The optimal preparation of the soil consists of a coating loose and finely crumbly dabout 1 cm, the seed pressed into the earth, promoting the contact with thewater in the soil. For planting, it is important, therefore, that theloosening of the soil to be as flat as possible. A leveling done as soon as thefall or early spring thus creates the right conditions for it.

The soil must not be used to this end that sit is dry. It should be wellcrumble and does notagglomerate. Thegoal should be to find a sufficiently firm ground for the rise ofcapillary water to the depth ofimplantation of the silphie, a floor covered uniformly ofa layer of loose earth, which minimizes theevaporation.

Depth of sowing

The silphie perfoliée is generally filed at a sowing depth of 1 cm. Sthere is a threat of drought, it is possible and preferable to drop it off at a maximum depth of 2 cm.

It is positioned in any type of soil, including soil-drained soil, on the other hand to meet his most high yields, the choice of land to tend moist with a neutral pH to basic is better. To make it simple to Silphie is sown in the land where the corn is like. Avoiding acid soils.

Speed and density of seedlings

in Order toobtain a stand sufficiently dense and uniform ofat least 4 plants per square meter, it is necessary to rates of seedlings ranging from 2.3 kg upto 3 kg/ha, which gives a density of seedlings of 11 to 15 grains per square meter,. Itis here recommended values of the highest sapplying to normal conditions, and lowest for conditions of the optimal planting of silphie. A limit of 2.3 kg or 11 beans quickly becomes critical.

Width of lines and weeding

Ofa hand, the widths of rows and the more narrow to allow a closing faster and better weed control.

Ofthe other remain, due to the low spectrum herbicides usable, the differences ofeffectiveness, this in connection with the slow development of the silphie perfoliée in the early stages.

Therefore, theuse of hoes ranks is unfortunately often the only option to combat the weeds emerging in the second year. Make widths range of 37.5 to 75 cm and use it wisely hoes allows the most rapid growth. For a chemical weeding the only existing possibility in France is in post semi/pre-emergence only in association with maize.

Fertilization

The set point for the fertilization of the silphie perfoliée at the beginning of each year of vegetation is established, based on the expected return, as follows : 100 to 160 kg N/ha for 12 to 20 TMS/ha.

During theyear ofimplementation, a starting dose ofabout 130 kg N/ha is sufficient. In association with maize it is advisable to conduct regular corn.

Of excessive doses ofnitrogen can have a negative effect on the conduct of the plants and their sensitivity to biotic and abiotic stress. Thenitrogen may be administered by means of mineral. The fertilization with the digestate is very well approximated by the silphie. However, the fertilization must take place relatively early in order toavoiddamage to the floor and not to exceed 50 m3/ha. A spring application and a splitting it in 2 passes to 1-monthinterval is preferable.

At a performance level of 15 to 20 TMS/ha, it is necessary to count on a levy of 60 to 70 Units/ha of Phosphorus, 240 to 300 Units/ha of potash, 80 Units /ha MgO as well as 280 to 420 Units/ha CaO. This means thatit is imperative to cover its needs and its exports, to ensure the efficiency and sustainability of the silphie perfoliée

Silphie perfoliée associated with the corn

Implantation the 1st year

Theseeding as under-sowing of maize has become common to take advantage of the cover crop in theyear of implementation. , More particularly, good experiences have been made in recent years with the corn as a cover crop with theseeding of the silphie as a seed below, cis the reason why this is treated here in a more detailed manner.

With corn as a cover crop, a yield of corn from 50 to 80 % of the crop may, during the first year of silphie generally unproductive/non-profitable, be achieved.

In addition, it should be noted thatin support of the corn in the pressure weed is less strong. culture of silphie perfoliée under cover of the corn also raises the requirements. For the silphie has enough light, it is necessary to reduce the density of the seed corn of 50,000 gr/ha to 75,000 gr/ha maxi and choose from a variety ports of leaves very upright to spend a maximum amount of light.

The seedlings mustperform the planter Monograine by alternating a row of silphie and a row of corn, to do this we will use of specific discs to Silphie.

Just after the half a weeding post-semi/pre-survey is possible, please contact us

The fertilization must be carried out in accordance with the amounts ofnutrients that are specified in the usual recommendations relating to the corn. For the corn crop, the silphie is, in any event, developed to such a point thatit can tolerate thecrash,. The Maize harvest ‘sdone with a forage harvester with a Spout rotary (KEMPER).

In summary

, A problem that was blocking the cultivation of silphie by the producers of biogas, was the financial loss of the 1st year.

In order to enhance economically the 1st year, it is possible to sow the silphie perfoliée under a canopy of corn.

Coverage corn the first year : conduct usual, but a seedling to a low density (50.000-75.000 gr/ha).

Silphie perfoliée : seedlings to about 2,5 – 3 kg/ha (approximately 120,000-150,000 gr/ha) between the rows of maize

Seedlings superficial = max depth. 0.5-1 cm

sowing Date : end of April untilearly June

Sowing in two passages : planter mono-seed corn first and then semi of the silphie shifted.

The silphie perfoliée as a perennial crop has benefits for the cover of the ground, rooting deep and intense, the fight againsterosion, a richly flowering and long, and thus contribute to increase the biodiversity of the plants grown in the regions of biogas.

Theabsence of tillage systems in the perennial participates in a CO2 fixation.

Silphie in anaerobic digestion

Use of Silphie for the production of biogas

The Silphie can be used as an excellent cosubstrate for the production of biogas (methane and carbon dioxide) in a Methanisation. The methane content of the biogas varies from 51% to 55%.

In the laboratory, a yield of 310 l of methane per kg of dry matter was achieved. Cis about 10% less than for the corn silo (but there is a wide range of variations). An average production of 15 to 20 T of dry matter per hectare product 4650 m3 of biogas around.

On soils with a water supply and fertilization sufficientyields of upto 23 tonnes of dry matter per hectare are possible.

The ecological benefits of the silphie should help to fight the bad image of the branch biogas as a result of the concentrations of corn silage and bring a diversity in the diets incorporated.

The Silphie is always for themoment considered as the main crop and goes back into the 15% limit prescribed for thesupply of food culture.

This culture can be said to CAP the code ACP (Other Perennial Crops).