Planting begins on switchgrass research site

Plugging in: Friday, June 13, 2008
Bob Tippee

OKLAHOMA

ARDMORE — Planting began this week on the world's largest stand of switchgrass devoted to cellulosic ethanol production.

In Guymon in the state's Panhandle, the 1,000-acre site is a primary research project of the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center, a state initiative championed by Gov. Brad Henry. The site will provide production-scale demonstration fields for cellulosic energy crops, such as switchgrass and forage sorghum, to contribute to the Oklahoma and U.S. bioenergy efforts.

This switchgrass site will be the first of its size anywhere in the world focused on biomass production. Additional acreage of forage sorghum and switchgrass will be planted near Chickasha (150 acres) and Maysville (150 acres) in central Oklahoma.

Switchgrass is a perennial grass that is naturally drought resistant and grows on marginal lands.

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