Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

WEED BIOMASS - AN ALTERNATIVE WAY FOR BIOGAS PRODUCTION

P.Umesh Mogle and Bharat i Jadhav

Abstract

hi the present investigation, the author carried out biogas production, studies by using the terrestrial weeds in comparison with fodder crops. Five weeds were utilized as Crotolaria notonii Wt. and Am, Tephrosia hamiltoni Drumm, Cassia tom L., Achyranthes aspera L., Euphorbia prunifolia Jacq., and fodder crop Medicago sativa L. along with the cow dung & biogas slurry. Weeds are available only in the monsoon season on the roadsides, open ground along with riverbanks and wastelands. Current strategy is the destruction of weeds and their eradication only. These eradicated weeds directly used in the biogas production. In Maharashtra, more than 65 % of biogas plants are not working because of shortage of dung. (Dhawan et a/. 1990) Utilizations of these alternatives weed by-product for the production of biogas can help not only meeting the challenge of energy crisis but also keeping environment pollution free.