Bioenergie aus Knöterich und Kuhmist: Ideenschmiede Schülerwettbewerb

This article investigates whether Fallopia japonica, a rampant neophyte in Germany, is a suitable alternative to maize as an energy crop. To this end, parts of the plant which had been harvested overground were shredded, fermented in a Hohenheim Biogas Yield Test and the amount of methane produced thereby was determined. The results indicate that Fallopia japonica yields values which are comparable to the results obtained for maize and thus represents a possible alternative as an energy crop. Thus a weed could be controlled and put to an ecologically and economically efficient use. This study was carried out within student the competition by the Siemens Foundation and awarded a prize.