The global need to transition to renewable and decentralized systems entails agricultural systems as producers of residual biomass. Avocado trees (Persea americana Mill.) are one of the main woody crops cultivated in Mexico, with over 150,000 hectares grown in the country. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the use of avocado pruning residues as an energy input, focusing on the revalorization of biomass and the generation of economic benefits for small producers in the region. For that purpose, we developed allometric equations to calculate biomass availability from pruning residues, evaluated their thermochemical properties, and proposed technological alternatives for their energy use. Two allometric equations for pruning residues as a function of tree height and crown diameter were obtained: one for light and minor maintenance pruning (R² = 0.63) and one for rejuvenation pruning (R² = 0.86). From these equations, we estimate the mean amount of biomass generated from light and rejuvenation pruning to be 42.7 and 25.1 kg per tree and year, respectively, which amounts to 1324 and 780 kg ha⁻¹ DM (dry matter), with an energy potential of 26.2 and 15.4 GJ ha⁻¹. The thermochemical analysis shows that a higher proportion of leaves generates a higher ash content, which reduces the quality of the residues as a fuel. Avocado pruning residues have high potential for energy use and could be implemented in the industrial and residential sectors, generating a complementary source of income for producers.

The energy use of fruit tree pruning represents a current alternative to achieving an energy transition toward clean biomass resources, which can substitute for fossil fuels and mitigate polluting emissions. In Mexico, avocado is one of the most important fruit crops, with approximately 260,000 ha planted. The pruning of avocado trees generates large amounts of biomass that are not fully exploited, lacking studies that analyze in depth the energy potential of pruning. This study aims to determine the potential energy use of avocado pruning as densified solid biofuels. The physical, chemical and energetic properties of two pruning fractions defined as class B (branches) and class BAL (branches and leaves) were determined. From class B, pellets were made, and their physical and mechanical properties were determined. Subsequently, the evaluated parameters of the pellets obtained were compared to European quality regulations to determine their quality and identify their potential uses. The characterization of avocado pruning indicates that class B generally has better physicochemical characteristics than class BAL to be used as solid biofuel. It was found that class B has a high calorific value (19.61 MJ/kg) and low ash content (1.2%), while class BAL contains a high amount of ash (7.2%) and high levels of N (1.98%) and S (1.88%). The manufactured pellets met most of the quality requirements for immediate use in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors at the regional level.

Avocado orchards (Persea americana) in Mexico are constantly being expanded to meet the increasing demand for the fruit in the national and international markets. The land-use change (LUC) caused by this expansion has numerous negative impacts, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to the loss of forest cover and the burning of pruning residues. To generate a comprehensive evaluation of this complex environmental issue, we calculate emissions from LUC and from residue burning between 1974 and 2017 at a local scale (1:20,000), and the energy potential of pruning residues was estimated as an alternative to revalue a waste product and mitigate the negative impacts of avocado cultivation. Our results show that land-use conversions emitted 390.5 GgCO₂, of which 91% came from conversions to avocado orchards. Emissions of GHG from biomass burning amounted to an additional 20.68 GgCO₂e released per year. Given that around 12,600 tons of dry avocado pruning residues are generated annually in the study region, their use for energy generation could replace 240 TJ/year of fossil fuels in rural industries and could mitigate around 31 GgCO₂e per year. This study provides decision-makers with a concrete example of how to establish multiple-impact strategies at local scales.

To ensure the long-term viability of a circular bioeconomy based on native forests, it is crucial to enhance our understanding and overcome existing disparities in knowledge and application throughout the entire value chain of forest products. The objective of this article is to contribute towards this goal and facilitate the proper management of forest biomass. Firstly, a methodology is proposed for the study of biomass throughout the native forest value chain, identifying the main steps, criteria, and variables to consider. This approach is evaluated through a case study in Argentina, where over 2370 tons of biomass are wasted annually. A series of strategies for analyzing the most suitable uses and applications for this biomass are examined. Finally, some key approaches for the promotion of a circular and sustainable forest bioeconomy are identified. While it is true that there is still a long way to go before small rural economies can make a more efficient and comprehensive use of their resources (potentially including small biorefineries) with appropriate cascade use schemes, moving towards biomass energy use constitutes a practical and concrete alternative today. This proposal provides tools for accelerating this necessary ecological and energy transition.