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Switchgrass: Power Grass
David I. Bransby of Auburn University's Department of Agronomy and Soils, examines switchgrass crop in the field.
Another DOE JGI sequencing target is switchgrass, also known as Tall Panic Grass—a hardy perennial grass known for its rapid growth. Switchgrass was mentioned in President Bush’s 2006 State of the Union address as an excellent candidate for biofuel production. Switchgrass, which grows naturally in most of the U.S., has the potential to produce the biomass required for the production of up to 100 gallons of ethanol per metric ton. This high yield makes it an attractive crop because its value exceeds any other crop. The challenge lies in efficient conversion—burning switchgrass yields 14.6-fold more energy than the input required to produce it; converting switchgrass to ethanol consumes 45% more energy than produced.
Switchgrass is resistant to many pests and diseases, and is capable of producing its high yields with only small amounts of fertilizer. Switchgrass is also tolerant of poor soils, flooding, and drought.
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