## 5 Cultivation Techniques
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c} \hline \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Crops**} & **LHV (MJ kg\({}^{-1}\))** & **Energy Yield (GJ ha\({}^{-1}\))** & **Yield** & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**CO2 Saving (t CO2 eq. ha\({}^{-1}\)**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**References**} \\  & **(MJ kg\({}^{-1}\))** & & & & year\({}^{-1}\)) \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{\begin{tabular}{c} **Common** \\ **cane** \\ \end{tabular} } & \multirow{2}{*}{16.7-18.3} & 280 first year & 7.4 first year & \multirow{2}{*}{37.7} & \multirow{2}{*}{[103]} \\  & & 592 from the second year & 77 from the second year & & \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{\begin{tabular}{c} **Cardoon** \\ \end{tabular} } & 14–17 & 133–344 & 7–31 & 19 & [103] \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{\begin{tabular}{c} **Abyssinian** \\ **mustard** \\ \end{tabular} } & \multirow{2}{*}{13 straw 20 panicle} & \multirow{2}{*}{4–44} & \multirow{2}{*}{1.7–13.4} & \multirow{2}{*}{0.2–2.4} & \multirow{2}{*}{[103]} \\  & & & & & \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{\begin{tabular}{c} **Sorghum** \\ \end{tabular} } & 17.99 & 762 \({}^{\text{a}}\) & - & - & [104] \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{\begin{tabular}{c} **Maze** \\ \end{tabular} } & 16.7 & 359 \({}^{\text{a}}\) & - & - & [104] \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{\
\begin{tabular}{c} **Miscanthus** \\ \end{tabular} } & 11.92 & 179–378 \({}^{\text{a}}\) & - & - & [104] \\ \hline \multirow{2}{*}{
\begin{tabular}{c} **Switchgrass** \\ \end{tabular} } & 18.2 & 182–455 \({}^{\text{a}}\) & - & - & [104] \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}  
\({}^{\text{a}}\) Estimated using dry matter (Table 3) and LHV.  
\end{table} 
Table 5: Lower heating value (LHV), energy yield (difference between the energy content of the biomass produced and the auxiliary energy fed into the cropping system), yield (ratio of output and energy inputs), and CO2 saving of principal energy crops. **Sunflower** (_Helianthus annuus_ L.) belongs to the family Asteraceae (Compositae) and is the most important among the 100 species of the genus _Helianthus_. Sunflower is a crop with a spring-summer cycle that shows good adaptability and does not have an excessive demand for soil macronutrients. Being originally from environments with a temperate climate, it prefers relatively high temperatures [101]. Sunflower plants do not grow well in loose substrates, as they tend to be sterile and unable to retain water, and prefer medium-textured, deep, or organic soils. This species is moderately tolerant of salinity. Although its root system has a tapering structure, sunflower does not possess a strong penetrative capacity in the soil and, therefore, it needs adequate preparatory interventions, especially in the most challenging soils. Sunflower, due to the rapidity of its development, normally has a suffocating effect on weeds. It must, however, be protected in the initial phases of the growing cycle [106]. Biodiesel, pure vegetable oil and biogas/biomethane can be obtained from this species (Table 4). **Rapeseed** (_Brassica napus_ L.) belongs to the group of oleaginous plants, and in particular, to the family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) and the genus _Brassica_. Spontaneous in Europe and in the Northwest of Africa, it is believed to have been domesticated after the nutritional value of the seeds of this weed, often infesting fields of cereals, was discovered. In the Mediterranean climate, the biological cycle of rapeseed is autumn-spring [106]. Rapeseed is a microthermic plant and, therefore, does not need high temperatures to develop. This crop does not resist drought periods well, especially during the stages of rising and flowering. Rapeseed prefers temperate climates, humid and not too sunny. The crop is not particularly demanding: it prefers deep, fresh, fertile, and light soils, but it adapts to clay, calcareous, and peat ones, provided they are well drained. It shows moderate tolerance of salinity and low soil pH. For instance, in the dry regions of central and northern Italy, rapeseed can alternate with wheat. Particular attention must be paid to the preparation of the seedbed as the seeds are small.