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ARS Home Plains Area Lincoln, Nebraska Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Research Publications at this Location





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Title:   Author  item
                                            Mitchell, Robert

                                                         - *Rob*item
                                            Schmer, Martyitem
                                            Anderson, William

                                                         - *Bill*item
                                            Jin, Virginiaitem
                                            Balkcom, Kiplingitem
                                            Kiniry, Jamesitem
                                            Coffin, Alisaitem
                                            White, Paul
  Submitted to: BioEnergy Research
                                    Publication Type: Review Article
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 4/11/2016
                                    Publication  Date: 4/23/2016
                                    Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/62801Citation: Mitchell, R., Schmer, M.R., Anderson, W.F., Jin, V.L., Balkcom, K.S., Kiniry, J.R., Coffin, A.W., White Jr, P.M. 2016. Dedicated energy crops and crop residues for bioenergy feedstocks in the Central and Eastern U.S.A. BioEnergy Research. 9:384-398.Interpretive Summary: Perennial grasses and crop residues offer benefits and challenges when grown for biofuels in existing agricultural production systems in the Corn Belt and Southeastern US. Feedstock production in an agroecoregion must have a limited impact on the production of major crops while providing adequate and reliable feedstock supplies. In the Corn Belt, major advancements have been made in perennial grasses, biomass sorghum, and the management of corn stover for cellulosic biomass. Adding perennial grasses into current agricultural systems may help reduce nutrient escape from fields to surface and ground waters, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase soil carbon sequestration. In the Southeast, advancements have been made in feedstocks like energycane, biomass sorghum, and napiergrass. Dedicated energy crops can increase the production of transportation fuels from recently-fixed plant carbon rather than from fossil fuels. Although there is no “one-size-fits-all” bioenergy feedstock, crop residues like corn stover are the most readily available feedstocks. On marginally-productive cropland, 25 years of research has demonstrated that perennial grasses are profitable, productive and improve the environment.
                                Technical Abstract: Dedicated energy crops and crop residues will meet
herbaceous feedstock demands for the new bioeconomy in the
Central and Eastern USA. Perennial warm-season grasses and
corn stover are well-suited to the eastern half of the USA and
provide opportunities for expanding agricultural operations in
the region. A suite of warm-season grasses and associated
management practices have been developed by researchers
from the Agricultural Research Service of the US Department
of Agriculture (USDA) and collaborators associated with
USDA Regional Biomass Research Centers. Second generation
biofuel feedstocks provide an opportunity to increase the production of transportation fuels from recently fixed plant carbon
rather than from fossil fuels. Although there is no “one-size-fitsall” bioenergy feedstock, crop residues like corn (Zea mays L.)
stover are the most readily available bioenergy feedstocks.
However, on marginally productive cropland, perennial grasses provide a feedstock supply while enhancing ecosystem services. Twenty-five years of research has demonstrated that perennial grasses like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) are profitable and environmentally sustainable on marginally productive cropland in the western Corn Belt and Southeastern USA.


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