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ARS Home » Plains Area » Mandan, North Dakota » Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #246072
Title: Efficient Methods of Estimating Switchgrass Biomass Supplies

Author
item Schmer, Marty
item Mitchell, Robert - Rob
item Vogel, Kenneth
item SCHACHT, WALTER - University Of Nebraska
item MARX, DAVID - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: BioEnergy Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2009
Publication Date: 8/13/2010
Citation: Schmer, M.R., Mitchell, R., Vogel, K.P., Schacht, W.H., Marx, D.B. 2010. Efficient Methods of Estimating Switchgrass Biomass Supplies. BioEnergy Research. 3(3):243-250.

Interpretive Summary: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is being developed as a biofuel feedstock for the United States. Efficient and accurate methods to estimate switchgrass biomass feedstock supply within a production area will be required by biorefineries. Our main objective was to determine the effectiveness of indirect methods for estimating biomass yields and composition of switchgrass fields. Indirect measurements were conducted in plot research and on fields across the Great Plains. A modified Robel pole was used to determine visual obstruction, elongated leaf height, and canopy height measurements. Prediction models from the study showed that elongated leaf height, visual obstruction, and canopy height measurements accounted for >91%, >90%, and >82% of the variation in switchgrass biomass, respectively. Visual obstruction was the best method for estimating yield on switchgrass fields with low to variable stand densities while elongated leaf height measurements would be recommended on switchgrass fields with high, uniform stand densities. Twenty to 30 elongated leaf height measurements in a field could predict switchgrass biomass yield within 10% with 95% confidence. These procedures can be used by biorefineries in estimation of feedstock supply in a production area and by government agencies in estimating national bioenergy supplies from switchgrass.

Technical Abstract: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is being developed as a biofuel feedstock for the United States. Efficient and accurate methods to estimate switchgrass biomass feedstock supply within a production area will be required by biorefineries. Our main objective was to determine the effectiveness of indirect methods for estimating biomass yields and composition of switchgrass fields. Indirect measurements were conducted in eastern Nebraska from 2003 to 2007 in which switchgrass biomass yields were manipulated using three nitrogen rates (0 kg N ha-1, 60 kg N ha-1, and 120 kg N ha-1) and two harvest periods (August and post-killing frost). A modified Robel pole was used to determine visual obstruction, elongated leaf height, and canopy height measurements. Prediction models from the study showed that elongated leaf height, visual obstruction, and canopy height measurements accounted for >91%, >90%, and >82% of the variation in switchgrass biomass, respectively. Regression slopes were similar by cultivar (‘Cave-in-Rock’ and ‘Trailblazer’), harvest period, and across years indicating that a single model is applicable for determining biomass feedstock supply within a region, assuming similar harvesting methods. Sample numbers required to receive the same level of precision were as follows: elongated leaf height