Switchgrass as a biofuels feedstock in the USA

Abstract

G. 2006. Switchgrass as a biofuels feedstock in the USA. Can. J. Plant Sci. 86: 1315-1325. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has been identified as a model herbaceous energy crop for the USA. In this review, we selectively highlight current USDA-ARS research on switchgrass for biomass energy. Intensive research on switchgrass as a biomass feedstock in the 1990s greatly improved our understanding of the adaptation of switchgrass cultivars, production practices, and environmental benefits. Several constraints still remain in terms of economic production of switchgrass for biomass feedstock including reliable establishment practices to ensure productive stands in the seeding year, efficient use of fertilizers, and more efficient methods to convert lignocellulose to biofuels. Overcoming the biological constraints will require genetic enhancement, molecular biology, and plant breeding efforts to improve switchgrass cultivars. New genomic resources will aid in developing molecular markers, and should allow for marker-assisted selection of improved germplasm. Research is also needed on profitable management practices for switchgrass production appropriate to specific agro-ecoregions and breakthroughs in conversion methodology. Current higher costs of biofuels compared to fossil fuels may be offset by accurately valuing environmental benefits associated with perennial grasses such as reduced runoff and erosion and associated reduced losses of soil nutrients and organic matter, increased incorporation of soil carbon and reduced use of agricultural chemicals. Use of warm-season perennial grasses in bioenergy cropping systems may also mitigate increases in atmospheric CO 2 . A critical need is teams of scientists, extension staff, and producer-cooperators in key agro-ecoregions to develop profitable management practices for the production of biomass feedstocks appropriate to those agro-ecoregions.

Using satellite vegetation and compound topographic indices to map highly erodible cropland buffers for cellulosic biofuel crop developments in eastern Nebraska, USA

“…Previous studies indicate that cultivating perennial grass feedstocks such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) for biofuel is more economically and environmentally sustainable than using corn (Zea maize L.) for producing ethanol (Bracmort, 2010;Bracmort et al, 2010;Bransby et al, 1998;Guretzky et al, 2011;Monti et al, 2012;Perrin et al, 2008;Sanderson et al, 2006Sanderson et al, , 1996Schmer et al, 2010Schmer et al, , 2008Vadas et al, 2008). Corn-based ethanol development has been associated with global food shortages, livestock and food price increases, soil erosion, greater demands for irrigation water, and water-quality impairment (Buyx and Tait, 2011;Gelfand et al, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.06.019 1470-160X/© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.…”

Managing and enhancing switchgrass as a bioenergy feedstock

“…7,[9][10][11][12] In the current review we address the feasibility and production challenges of using switchgrass for bioenergy, emphasizing our experiences in the central Great Plains and Midwest USA.…”

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) Cultivar Adaptation, Biomass Production, and Cellulose Concentration as Affected by Latitude of Origin

“…Biomass crops that can be converted to ethanol biofuel by enzymatic digestion and fermentation or thermochemical conversion of plant cellulose and hemicellulose polymers to ethanol in large-scale biorefineries have been identified [1]. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a warm-season (C4) grass species native to the tallgrass prairie region of North America including the southern Canadian prairie.…”