Phenotypic evaluation of Saccharum spp. genotypes during the plant-cane crop for biomass production in northcentral Mississippi

Authors: BALDWIN, BRIAN - Mississippi State University; Hale, Anna; EASON, WYATT - Mississippi State University; MORRISON, JESSE - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Biomass and Bioenergy
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/10/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Sugarcane is a leading biofuel feedstock candidate because of its ability to produce a large amount of biomass with few inputs. Because it is tropical, the today's commercial production of sugarcane for energy production is primarily limited to tropical environments. Only a few varieites of "energycane" have been released which have stable yields in temperate climates. The most productive of these is Ho 02-113. The objective of this study was to test newly-developed high-fiber sugarcane (energycane) candidates under yearly freezing conditions to determine production potential of dry biomass and ethanol in this environment. Two separate energycane tests were planted in Starkville Arkansas, and estimates of dry matter yield, production of ethanol from cellulose and fermentation, and total estimated production of ethanol were determined from each of 20 newly-selected varieties as compared to Ho 02-113. When grown in this environment, Ho 14-9213 exceeded Ho 02-113 in dry matter yield. Of the 19 tested genotypes 16, produced equal or greater amounts of ethanol than Ho 02-113. Results highlight the ability to select new varieties that are better adapted to cold climates and the potential to expand the cropping range of energycane in the U.S.

Technical Abstract: As fossil fuel supplies decrease and concerns of climate change increase, the search for alternative sources of fuel has pushed biomass crops to the forefront of discussion. Saccharum spontaneum readily hybridizes with commercial sugarcane (S. officianarum) and lends cold tolerance and greater yield to the hybrid progeny, called energycane. Since 2007, there have been numerous new hybrid and backcross energycane genotypes developed but there is a paucity of information about them. Twenty energycane genotypes were tested in the first season of growth from cane propagules (plant cane; PC) year against Ho 02-113 (a control) for two site-years in northcentral Mississippi. Grand (exponential)growth continued into October. Except for percentage cellulose, all factors tested (dry matter yield, extractable juice volume, °Brix, theoretical ethanol from fermentation, theoretical ethanol from cellulose and total theoretical ethanol) were greater from the second site-location compared to the first.