POET researchers find that removing corn cobs from fields for cellulosic ethanol production may improve soil nitrogen, productivity

In South Dakota, POET researchers have found there are “indications that removing corn cobs may be beneficial for growing corn”, finding that decomposing cobs may remove soil nitrogen and release chemical compounds into the soil that reduce corn growth.

POET is introducing a cellulosic ethanol process that uses corn cobs; previous assessments of the use of cobs, and corn stover had warned that the removal of corn residues may reduce soil productivity and promote nitrogen run off. Traditional harvesters strip corn from cobs and leave cobs in the field.

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