Biological and Economic Feasibility of Pearl Millet as a Feedstock for Ethanol Production

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.R. Br., Poaceae) has its origins as a cereal crop adapted to the harshest growing conditions in sub-Saharan Africa. Although currently used as a forage and cover crop in many regions of the US, Brazil, Australia, and Canada, grain hybrids have attributes that are of value in production systems of the southeastern United States. Successful integration of pearl millet into regional cropping systems requires identifying applications in which pearl millet has advantages compared to alternatives. ‘Tifgrain 102’ pearl millet is compatible in double-cropping systems in the southeast, and is resistant to nematodes that affect cotton and peanut, the region’s mainstay crops (Timper and Hanna 2005). As a species of desert origins, it is inherently drought tolerant and adapted to acidic, sandy soils with low fertility characteristic of the southern Coastal Plain. The high quality grain is not prone to preharvest aflatoxins and fumonisins in dryland production (Wilson et al. 2006), and is proving to be a superior grain in rations for game birds in the recreational wildlife industry and for broiler production. Diversified marketing options will help growers secure a more stable price for their product. One such market that has received little attention is the bioenergy industry. The development of the ethanol industry in the southeastern US has been limited by the amount of maize and other feedstocks produced in the region. As new facilities are being planned, information is needed on other potential feedstocks that might supplement maize grown locally or shipped in from other regions. Wu et al. (2006) have demonstrated that pearl millet might be a useful feedstock for ethanol production. These present studies were conducted to confirm prior research and to further assess the economic feasibility of using pearl millet as a supplemental feedstock.