I am trying to estimate the carbon input (of vegetal residue) to an agricultural land, based on the historical records of the yield. However, the yield (lb per acre) is the only information I have.
Is there any mathematical equation or something like that useful to estimate the biomass of a crop (for example, wheat) having the yield value?
Thanks for your time
you can try using the Colorado State/USDA farm-ranch carbon calculator
http://cometfarm.nrel.colostate.edu/
The following will give approximate results. If a crop consists primarily of carbohydrates (empirical formula CH2O), as most crops do, then the carbon yield is (atomic weight of carbon)/(molecular weight of CH2O) X (crop yield on a dry-matter basis) = 12/30 X (crop yield on a dry-matter basis) = 0.4 X (crop yield on a dry-matter basis). For crops consisting primarily of fats or oils (empirical formula CH2), the carbon yield is (atomic weight of carbon)/(molecular weight of CH2) X (crop yield on a dry-matter basis) = 12/14 X (crop yield on a dry-matter basis) = 6/7 X (crop yield on a dry-matter basis).
You can go for calcination for overnight at 150 degree C and then at 600 degree C. This is how you can estimate the inorganic matter. You can use a CHN analyzer for this purpose too.
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