Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a US Department of Energy model species, is widely considered for US biomass energy production. While previous studies have demonstrated the effect of climate and management factors on biomass yield and chemical characteristics of switchgrass monocultures, information is lacking on the yield of switchgrass grown in combination with other species for biomass en...

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a perennial grass that has been designated as an herbaceous model biofuel crop for the United States of America. To facilitate accelerated breeding programs of switchgrass, we developed both an association panel and linkage populations for genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genomic selection (GS). All of the 840 individuals were then genotyped using ge...

Lepidopteran stemborerswere collected from switchgrass, Panicum virgatumL., tillers showing symptoms of infestation at seven locations in Illinois and Iowa, with additional observations made on larval and adult activity. Blastobasis repartella (Dietz) (Coleophoridae), whose only known host is switchgrass, was common in plots grown for 5 yr, whereas the polyphagous stalk borer, Papaipema nebris ...

Lepidopteran stemborerswere collected from switchgrass, Panicum virgatumL., tillers showing symptoms of infestation at seven locations in Illinois and Iowa, with additional observations made on larval and adult activity. Blastobasis repartella (Dietz) (Coleophoridae), whose only known host is switchgrass, was common in plots grown for 5 yr, whereas the polyphagous stalk borer, Papaipema nebris ...

Perennial herbaceous plants such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) are being evaluated as cellulosic bioenergy crops. Two major concerns have been the net energy efficiency and economic feasibility of switchgrass and similar crops. All previous energy analyses have been based on data from research plots (<5 m2) and estimated inputs. We managed switchgrass as a biomass energy crop in field tr...

Biomass conversion into forms of energy is receiving current attention because of environmental, energy supply and agricultural concerns. This objective of this paper is to report on the environmental, energy, economic, and technological aspects of using switchgrass (panicum virgatum) as a replacement for coal in power generation. To examine the effects of such a substitution, an environmental ...

BACKGROUND Switchgrass is an abundant and dedicated bioenergy feedstock, however its inherent recalcitrance is one of the economic hurdles for producing biofuels. The downregulation of the caffeic acid O-methyl transferase (COMT) gene in the lignin pathway of switchgrass reduced lignin content and S/G ratio, and the transgenic lines showed improved fermentation yield with Saccharomyces cerevisi...

Bulk density is one of the important engineering property of biomass having significant impact on the supply logistics and processing in ethanol production facilities using lignocellulosic materials. Bulk density of most of the comminuted biomass significantly increased by tapping. Switchgrass, wheat straw and corn stover were chopped in a knife mill at different operating conditions including ...

BACKGROUND Switchgrass is one of the most promising bioenergy crop candidates for the US. It gives relatively high biomass yield and can grow on marginal lands. However, its yields vary from year to year and from location to location. Thus it is imperative to develop a low input and sustainable switchgrass feedstock production system. One of the most feasible ways to increase biomass yields is ...

Switchgrass is a leading dedicated bioenergy feedstock in the United States because it is a native, high-yielding, perennial prairie grass with a broad cultivation range and low agronomic input requirements. Biomass conversion research has developed processes for production of ethanol and other biofuels, but they remain costly primarily because of the intrinsic recalcitrance of biomass. We show...