New switchgrass biofuels research program for the Southeast

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:6545549

McLaughlin, S B

The Biofuels Feedstock Development Program (BFDP) has selected a perennial crop, switchgrass, Panicum virgalum, as a model species for further development as a biofuels feedstock. The selection of switchgrass was based on several significant attributes, including its demonstrated high productivity across a wide geographical range, suitability for marginal quantity land, low water and nutrient requirements, and positive environmental attributes. A series of six research projects was initiated in 1992 to pin important new information on the yield potential of this species as a biofuels crop. These projects are evaluating the most promising existing varieties in regional field trials, cultural treatments to enhance the establishment and growth of stands, breeding for superior yield, identification of physiological markers for assessing and promoting improved growth and development, and the development of tissue culture techniques for biotechnological improvement. These tasks combine the interrelated needs of realizing maximum near-term pins in productivity potential through cultural improvement and the longer term requirements for enhancing and protecting yield capacity.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6545549
• Report Number(s): CONF-9211101-10; ON: DE93012764
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090800* -- Biomass Fuels-- Production-- (1990-)
AGRICULTURE
ALABAMA
BIOMASS
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCES
GRAMINEAE
LILIOPSIDA
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
PRODUCTION
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
TEXAS
USA