A survey of lignin, cellulose, and acid detergent fiber ash contents of several plants and implications for wind erosion control

ABSTRACT:

Lignin, cellulose, and silica (the major compound of acid detergent fiber ash) are plant components that increase plant resistance to lodging and biodegradation and, therefore, increase their utility for wind erosion control purposes. The amounts of lignin, cellulose, and acid detergent fiber ash were determined in a wide array of annual, perennial, native, and introduced plants that can be grown in semiarid regions for wind erosion control purposes. Among all entries analyzed, the ranges in lignin, cellulose, and acid detergent fiber ash percentages were 5.2 to 29.8, 21.7 to 56.7, and 0.0 to 18.7, respectively. As expected, ranges within a family were larger than ranges within a species. Among 17 wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.), the respective ranges were 6.0 to 8.5%, 28.9 to 33.5%, and 7.3 to 18.7%; among three pearl millets [Pennisetum americanum (L.) K. Schum] and one foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) Beaue.], the respective ranges were 8.5 to 13.0%, 28.9 to 37.3%, and 0.0 to 0.9%; among two forage and six grain sorghums /Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] the respective ranges were 5.4 to 11.0%, 21.7 to 35.1%c, and 0.2 to 1.5%. Other factors being equal—such as plant height and total biomass produced—a producer selecting plants for wind erosion control purposes should choose those cultivars that have the higher percentages of these three compounds. Plant breeders would do well to develop cultivars high in these compounds for specific use as windbar-riers and for long-lasting ground cover.