Two steps Arundo donax L. Harvesting in South Italy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of two-pass harvesting system on giant reed (Arundo donax). The biomass was shredded, dried in the field and baled for logistic chain and storage. The first step was cutting and shredding with a specific shredder for biomass crops rear mounted in agricultural tractor and in the second time the Arundo biomass was harvested after more day of drying in the field with continuous monitoring of the biomass moisture content. This harvesting system presents some advantages such as: the possibility of immediate and long storage of biomass (moisture content 12-14 %), better use of farm mechanization for hay making, diversified use of the dried biomass (combustion and II° generation ethanol), fuel consumption in line or even less than other ordinary crops present in that area. The test showed technical and energy aspect of the harvest technology with the adoption of only one specific machine while the other are normally presents in the farm. The machine adopted for shredder, designed and developed by Italian constructor for more biomass herbaceous crops (Arundo, Sorghum, Panicum, Mischantus, etc.) is indicated for high vegetative developed crop and can spread the product in all soil surface or windrowing. The tests were conducted in Southern Italy (Campania region) in an experimental farm of Torre Lama (SA). The tests have showed a good performance slightly lower than 1.5 ha h-1 (1.47) with operative speed of 4.88 km h-1. The hourly production taken as a reference is a theoretical production of 58.35 t ha-1 with a biomass moisture of 42.51 %. After field drying, the biomass is baled with round baler.