Duckweed genes left exposed for future biofuel research

Biomass Magazine


By Chris Hanson | February 27, 2014


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Duckweed: A biofuel and waste treatment

UPI - Science News

RALEIGH, N.C., April 9 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say duckweed -- a tiny aquatic plant -- can help clean up animal waste at industrial hog farms and may held solve the global energy crisis.

North Carolina State University researchers said growing duckweed on hog wastewater can produce five to six times more starch per acre than corn. Professor Jay Cheng and Associate Professor Anne-Marie Stomp said their finding means ethanol production using duckweed could be faster and cheaper than that derived from corn.

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US govt investigates duckweed DNA

edie.net
15 July 2008

Scientists at the US Department of Energy's laboratories will begin sequencing duckweed DNA in an effort to tap its potential to clean up water pollution.

The humble aquatic plant has been chosen as one of 44 projects that the department's Joint Genome Institute (JGI) will take on in the next year to investigate potential bioenergy and environmental uses for common plants and microbes. Greater Duckweed, or Spirodela polyrhiza, grows to less than 10mm but can be used to test water toxicity, clean wastewater and feed animals.

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