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bioweb.sungrant.org » Technical » Biomass Resources » Agricultural Resources » New Crops » Herbaceous Crops » Mixed Grass Systems

Mixed Grass Systems	Printer Friendly

Nearly all of the research to develop herbaceous grasses as bioenergy and bioproduct feedstocks involves monocultural management systems. But, at least from a feedstock point of view, mixed grass systems may offer yield and environmental advantages. In Minnesota, data from the Cedar Creek Experiment Station indicate that diverse prairie grasslands consisting of 2, 4, 8, and 16 species produced 84, 100, 157, and 238% more biomass than plots with single species (average for years 2003-2005 for plots planted in 1994). Additionally, yields varied less from year to year in stands with many species, relative to single species stands. However, research evaluating the potential to develop mixed grass stands for bioenergy and bioproduct use is limited. Researchers in Minnesota and North and South Dakota are evaluating switchgrass as a monocultural system and in a mixed grass system with big bluestem and indiangrass. Limited research by the USDA is occurring in the southeast.

References
David, T.; Hill, J.; and Lehman, C. (2006). Carbon-negative biofuels from low-input high-diversity grassland biomass. Science, 314, 1598-1600. Great Plains Institute. Power “Plants”: Native Grass Utilization Project. Retrieved from www.gpisd.net Morrison, D. (2006). Natural prairie holds key to sustainable fuels. Retrieved from www.1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories Tilman, D.; Hill, J.; and Lehman, C. (2006). Carbon-negative biofuels from low-input high-diversity grassland biomass. Science, 314, 1598-1600. U.S. Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Natural Resources Conservation Service. Jimmy Carter Plant Materials Center,  Americus, GA.