Switchgrass Research
USDA and University of Nebraska research on switchgrass was expanded in 1990 to include development of switchgrass into a biomass fuel crop. Initial research evaluated all available cultivars and elite strains at three Midwestern locations and identified cultivars and strains that had the most potential for use as biofuel crops. The highest yielding strains produced over 14,000 kg/ha biomass per year and over 10,000 kg/ha of cellulose + hemicellulose which would yield over 5000 l/ha ethanol (500 gal/acre) with a conversion effeciency of 75%. Susequent research has focused on specific breeding, genetics, and production problems. Optimum stage of growth and time period for harvest of switchgrass biomass in the Midwest was a three week period after plants were fully headed (about July 20 to August 15) and the optimum fertilization rate was 120 kg N/ha. It was determined that switchgrass is a micorrhizae (VAM) dependent plant, but inoculation will not be necessary because of VAM levels in agricultural soils. Information was developed that will allow a new herbicide to be registered for weed control during the establishment year. Genetic information to develop switchgrass hybrids was developed as well as the first molecular genetic markers for switchgrass. The breeding goal is to develop cultivars that can produce annual yields of 22 Mg/ha in the Midwest.
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