Trace element delivery for biogas production enhanced by alternative energy crops: results from two-year field trials

Background Energy crop production for biogas still relies mainly on maize, but the co-digestion of alternative energy crops (legumes, amaranth, ryegrass, flower mixtures) with maize can have several advantages. First, a greater biodiversity in the fields; second, an enrichment of essential trace elements in biogas substrates (cobalt, nickel, manganese, and molybdenum); and third, less use of artificial trace element additives.