Euphorbia tirucalli Bioenergy Manual

This manual has been prepared to support practitioners in growing Euphorbia Tirucalli (ET) plants as an energy crop. Use of ET as a feedstock for bioenergy is still experimental and more information on its feasibility and use as an energy is needed. E. Tirucalli may be of great importance as a bioenergy source in developing countries in the tropics. As a crop it is easy to establish and manage and the whole plant can be harvested all year round as a feedstock for bioenergy without having to wait for flowers or fruits. ET can withstand severe drought without problems. Especially in areas that are not connected to an electricity grid and rely on expensive electricity generated from fossil fuels ET can be of importance. It is possible to convert the plant into biogas and the effluent that is produced can be used to fertilize the plots that have just been harvested. This creates a virtually closed nutrient balance reducing the need for external fertilization.