NRCS – Texas

Technical Note: TX-PM-11-01

United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Technical Note No: TX-PM-11-01

November 2010

Potential Plants for Biofuel in Texas 

Plant Materials Technical Note

 'Alamo' Switchgrass Hulled Peanuts (Arachis L.) ‘Tropic Sun’ Sunn Hemp

 (Panicum virgatum) Photo by Brandon Carr (Crotalaria juncea)

 Photo by Brandon Carr Photo by Brandon Carr

The production of biofuel may be difficult in theory however, the concept is rather simple. 

Biofuel is essentially any fuel derived from a recently-living organism. Often, plants are the first 

organism that comes to mind. Biomass produced from plants may be processed into liquid fuel 

such as ethanol or biodiesel. Biomass may be burned to generate heat and/or electricity, 

fermented to generate methane or chemically converted to synthesis gas.

Background

The purpose of this technical note is to provide basic background and general biofuel

terminology information as well as a list of potential biofuels plants that are adapted to Texas. 

Purpose

Solid biofuel – the conversion of raw biomass into heat or steam via direct combustion. 

Examples of solid biofuel include wood, sawdust, non-food energy crops, and general plant 

material. 

Basic Biofuel Terminology

Bioethanol – alcohol made by fermenting the sugar, starch or cellulose components of plant 

materials. 

Ethanol - the most common biofuel worldwide and is produced by the fermentation of 

sugars derived from plants such as wheat, corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, molasses, etc.

Cellulosic ethanol – alcohol production made by fermenting non-food crops or inedible 

waste products such as native plant material, citrus peels, sawdust, etc. 

Biodiesel – diesel made from vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled plant material which can be 

used in its pure form as fuel for vehicles or used as a diesel additive. Biodiesel can be produced 

from vegetable oils derived from soybeans, sunflowers, mustard, flax, etc. 
NRCS – Texas

Technical Note: TX-PM-11-01

Biogas – methane gas produced from the anaerobic digestion of organic material. Commonly 

biogas is produced using animal waste or high yielding crop species such as sorghums, millet, 

switchgrass, etc. 

Synthesis gas (Syngas) – produced by partial combustion of biomass. Syngas may be used to 

produce methanol and hydrogen or converted into a fuel substitute. 

Currently, biofuel technologies and markets are undetermined and experiencing a phase of 

uncertain development. There is no single plant material that agriculture producers can use to 

meet future biofuel demands. It is likely that a combination of plant materials will be required to 

meet future biofuel needs. Following is a list of plants that have proven productivity, 

adaptability and potential biofuel benefits for Texas. Conservationist should contact their Zone 

Specialist for information about seeding plants not listed below. 

Potential Biofuel Plants for Texas

Lignocellosic Plants

Plant Species Plant Variety Season Origin

Life 

Span

Average Annual 

Production

Switchgrass Alamo Warm Native Perennial 5-10 tons/ac/yr

Indiangrass Lometa Warm Native Perennial 2 tons /ac/yr

big bluestem Earl Warm Native Perennial 1.5 tons/ac/yr

big sacaton

Falfurrias 

Germplasm Warm Native Perennial 3-4 tons/ac/yr

sun hemp Tropic Warm Introduced Annual 4-6 tons/ac/yr

High-tonnage 

sugar cane Warm Introduced Perennial 20 + tons/ac/yr

High-tonnage 

sorghum Warm Introduced Annual 15 - 20 tons/ac/yr

Sweet sorghum Warm Introduced Annual 5 - 10 tons/ac/yr

Oilseed Plants

Plant Species Oil Percentage Season Origin

Life 

Span

Average Annual 

Production

cotton 17 Warm Introduced Annual 1.5 tons/ac/yr

soybean 18 Warm Introduced Annual 30 bu/ac/yr

peanut 45 Warm Introduced Annual 1.5 tons/ac/yr

safflower 42

Warm/

Cool Introduced Annual 1-2 tons/ac/yr

rapeseed (Canola) 40 Cool Introduced Annual 1500 lbs/ac/yr

mustard 40 Cool Introduced Annual 6-7 tons/ac/yr

flax 35 Cool Introduced Annual 32-39 bu/ac/yr

sunflower 42 Warm Introduced Annual 0.5-1 ton/ac/yr

sesame 50 Warm Introduced Annual 300-1500 lbs/ac/yr
NRCS – Texas

Technical Note: TX-PM-11-01

Demirbas, A. (2009). "Political, economic and environmental impacts of biofuels: A review". 

Applied Energy 86: S108–S117. 

References:

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2009.04.036

"BioEnergyBroch_FINAL05.indd"(PDF). 

http://esa.un.org/unenergy/pdf/susdev.Biofuels.FAO.pdf. Retrieved 2010-07-14.

Evans, G. "Liquid Transport Biofuels - Technology Status Report", National Non-Food Crops 

Centre, 2008-04-14. Retrieved on 2009-05-11.

"BIOGAS: No bull, manure can power your farm." Farmers Guardian (September 25, 2009): 12. 

General OneFile. Gale.

Technical Note No. 3 - Planting and Managing Switchgrass as a Biomass Energy Crop, (PDF; 

666 KB) TN.190.PM.2, ECS Plant Materials Program, Sep 2009

http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/publications/renewenergy/biomassenergy.php, Renewable 

Energy Report- Biomass Energy Chapter 5. State Energy Conservation Office. Retrieved on 

2010-11-10.

Warrick, B. “Sunflower Production Guide for West Central Texas”. Texas Cooperative 

Extension. http://safiles.tamu.edu/agronomy/sunflower/. Retrieved 2010-11-16.

“Sesame Production in Texas”. http://safiles.tamu.edu/agronomy/factsheet/sesame.htm. Posted 

2007-1-29. Retrieved 2010-11-16.

Morgan, G., Tom Isakeit, and Larry Falconer. “Keys to Profitable Flax Production in 

Texas”(PDF). Agrilife Extension. http://varietytesting.tamu.edu/oilseed/otherpublications 

/Keys%20to%20Profitable%20Flax%20Production.pdf. Retrieved 2010-11-16.

Masabni, Joe and Patrick Lillard. “Mustard Greens” AgriLife Extension. http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/extension/vegetable/cropguides/mustardgreens.html Retrieved 2010-12-

21. 

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