Why Sequence Switchgrass?
A long-standing mission of the DOE has been to develop alternative sources of energy from biomass, and with good reason President George W. Bush specifically mentioned switchgrass as a promising energy crop in his 2006 State of the Union Address. This native grass has many traits that make it well suited for use as an energy feedstock. Yields of switchgrass are high, averaging 7 tons per acre in unirrigated field trials with some lines yielding up to 10 tons per acre. Production costs are low because of the plant’s low nutrient use, minimal pesticide requirements, propagation by seed, and perennial growth habit. Switchgrass can be harvested with conventional haying equipment, and its wide adaptability allows it to be grown productively across a large geographic area, including marginal regions that would otherwise be unproductive. Associated environmental benefits of switchgrass cultivation derive from its large root mass, which increases soil organic matter, prevents soil erosion, and
