U Of I Testing Switchgrass , Miscanthus For Ethanol Potential

By Myke Feinman, BioFuels Journal editor

The University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana, is researching eight test plots of switchgrass and Miscanthus to see how well the crops grow in different climates across the state.

Eventually, the research, which began in 2002 and is funded by the state of Illinois, will determine how well the crops grow and how they are harvested. The findings will determine how economical it will be for farmers to grow the crops for cellulosic ethanol production.

Frank Dohleman, biomass energy project coordinator for the U of I (217-244-6317), who coordinates the plots and works with 10 U of I researchers, said comparing switchgrass to Miscanthus in a side-by-side plots allows researchers to determine which crops would be best suited to grow in the state.

In 2002, three plots were planted with both switchgrass and Miscanthus in Urbana, Dixon Springs and DeKalb. The U of I received a grant of $70,000 from the Illinois Council for Food and Agricultural Research (ICFAR) for the initial plots.

In 2004, more plots were planted at Fairfield, Brownstown, Havana, Perry and one at the Dudley Smith Farm at Pana, with an additional grant of $1.2 million from the ICFAR which expires at the end of FY 2008, Dohleman said. They plan to seek funding after the funding period expires.

Most plots are 30 ft. by 30 ft., but some are a half-acre.

Also, this year a demonstration plot was planted at the site of the 2007 Farm Progress Show in Decatur (August 28-30).

One of the major areas of research at each plot is measuring the two crops' yields, how the crops deplete the carbon/soil content.

Grainet, July 13, 2007