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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania » Eastern Regional Research Center » Sustainable Biofuels and Co-products Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #331225
Title: Impact of switchgrass harvest time on biomass yield and conversion

Author
item Serapiglia, Michelle
item Dien, Bruce
item Boateng, Akwasi
item Casler, Michael

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/19/2016
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a perennial grass native to much of North America being developed as a dedicated energy crop for conversion to biofuels. Breeding efforts are focused on producing high-yielding cultivars that can maintain high yield across multiple environments, including poor soil conditions, which are often found on lands available through the US Conservation Reserve Program. Switchgrass cultivars were evaluated for biomass yield potential and other quality traits at field sites in the Midwest at three different harvest times: Peak Crop—At anthesis and peak biomass for upland cultivars; Killing Frost—Approximately two weeks after first frost; and After Winter—In spring when fields were dry for harvesting.