When examining potential herbaceous feedstocks for planting in temperate U.S. regions, two grasses, giant miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus)and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum),appear to be the best candidates. Giant miscanthus, a sterile hybrid genotype originally collected in Japan, is established using vegetative propagules. Following planting, this grass requires weed controls for one or two growing seasons, but has not responded to nitrogen applications during establishment and several subsequent growing seasons. Even though giant miscanthus is a warm-season grass, it responds to moisture and it is best produced in temperate areas that receive at least 75 cm precipitation annually. Established stands have commonly produced more than 18 Mg dry biomass ha-1 in a number of U.S. studies. Switchgrass, also a warm-season species, is native to the U.S. tallgrass prairie and is established using seed. Biomass yields of this grass are often enhanced by nitrogen applications and weed-control inputs, but it is generally less dependent on large amounts of precipitation to achieve high yields than is giant miscanthus. In the U.S., dry biomass yields of switchgrass commonly exceed 12 Mg ha-1. Both grasses can be harvested with traditional agricultural equipment used in forage or baled-hay production. An advantage held by switchgrass compared to giant miscanthus is that while there are many types of Panicum virgatum that are variably adapted to most eastern U.S. environments, there is only a single giant miscanthus genotype that is routinely planted for biomass research and production. Additional information about each grass species, specific planting and management techniques, and results of biomass productivity studies will be presented.

Establishing and managing Miscanthus x giganteus and Panicum virgatum feedstocks in the temperate U.S.

245th National Meeting (2013)

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