Bioenergy Crops Provide Valuable Ecosystem Services

Biofuel perennial grass and woody crops provide significant benefits for humankind.

 
Willow pollinator
Pollinator on shrub willow. Photo: Giuseppe Tumminello, U. Syracuse.

 

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What Is an Ecosystem Service?

A functioning ecosystem is the intricate environmental relationship of soil, water, microorganisms, …

Making Business Decisions with Precision Data Can Encourage Perennial Grass Production

Case Study: AgSolver, an Iowa-based company, helps producers shift to perennial grass production using software tools that assess crop potential and profitability.

 

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Introduction

Not all cropland can profitably grow crops such as corn and soybeans. Even with the help of the newest technologies, farmers don’t necessarily make money—or reap …

Research Summary: Biofuel Quality Improved by Delaying Harvest of Perennial Grass

Research shows how a simple management strategy can decrease nitrogen contaminants in perennial grasses, while also providing additional ecosystem services.

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Switchgrass Harvest
Photo: Rob Mitchell, USDA-ARS.

Abstract

Nitrogen ash and other mineral matter can be a problem in processing perennial grasses into biofuel through the fast pyrolysis method. Delaying biomass harvest …

The Economics of Switchgrass for Biofuel

The profitable production of switchgrass for biofuel  today depends  primarily on the price of oil, as well as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

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Introduction

In the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) legislation passed …

Research Summary: Research Finds Strong Genetic Diversity in Switchgrass Gene Pools

Genetic diversity in native switchgrass populations will benefit new varieties developed for biofuel production and ecosystem services.

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Abstract

Mike-Casler
Dr. Mike Casler, USDA ARS Plant Breeder has helped lead efforts to improve switchgrass yield 40%.

Identification of gene pools and their geographic patterns will help in the development of new …