The management and use of switchgrass in georgia uga. The effects of seed origin parentage on plant performance was apparent. Switchgrass is a very small, fine seed totaling more than 400,000 seeds per pound. Sustainable production and distribution of bioenergy for the central usa. It fills in the midsummer grazing gap that commonly occurs with coolseason grasses. Iaswitchgrass production economic analysis, soil suitability, varietal performance pavi2 kskansas wildflowers and grasses pavi2 midepartment of natural resources pavi2 ndswitchgrass biomass yields in the northern great plains pavi2 ndswitchgrass as a bioenergy crop pavi2 nedeveloping switchgrass into a biomass fuel crop pavi2. Clean seed yields of 225 pounds per acre have been documented at the usda natural resources conservation service nrcs plant materials center pmc at. In the southeast, a planting rate of approximately 10 pounds pls per acre is recommended. Switchgrass is one of the dominant species of the central north american tallgrass prairie and can be found in remnant prairies, in native grass pastures, and naturalized along roadsides.
The possibility of compressing switchgrass into fuel pellets for thermal energy production was also examined in uk studies. Its biomass production is not maxi mized until the second or third year after seeding. The next generation of biofuels could come from these five crops. Guidebook for the sustainable production practices of switchgrass in the southeastern u. Large, flat leaves have a triangular patch of hair near the base. Keys to using switchgrass as a hay crop earlyseason production late aprillate may for switchgrass produces the highestquality forage and can be easily utilized for hay. Under dryland conditions in a western kansas grazing system, switchgrass. The soybean crop in the previous year allows the producer to create a clean seed bed prior to planting liberty.
This warmseason grass is an exceptional forage for pasture and hay for livestock. Switchgrass in south carolina panicum virgatum general use. High dormancy seedlots will require higher seeding. Switchgrass, panicum virgatum, is the most productive and commonly talked about native, warm season grass being considered as a feedstock for alternative fuels and sustainable fiber. Switchgrass growing in 40inch rows for seed production. Switchgrass has 380,000 to 400,000 seeds per pound.
During the winter, the seed experiences cold, moist soil conditions that break seed dormancy. Herbicides for establishing switchgrass in the central and. Estimated cost of establishment and production of liberty. Projected yields are based on 5year average yields 2014 to 2018 as reported through production insurance to better align with growers current yield expectations. Ten seed sourcesvarieties of switchgrass were evaluated. Our objective was to evaluate timing of the forage harvest and n applications to manage switchgrass for both forage and seed from the same stand. Switchgrass has numerous roots reaching to ten feet deep, as well as underground rhizomes making it an important grass for use in conservation programs. As a conservation species, switchgrass is inexpensive to seed and relatively easy to establish compared to other prairie grasses. Switchgrass is easily identified by a small nest of hair where the blades attach to the sheath. Growing and harvesting switchgrass for ethanol production in. Switchgrass is an excellent candidate for biofuel production.
Estimated cost of establishment and production of liberty switchgrass file a129. The next generation of biofuels could come from these five. High yields of biomass with relatively few inputs make switchgrass a favorable choice for bioenergy production. The info i received came from the designer and buider of the truax nwsg notill seeder, jim truax. Sow seed at a rate of approximately 46 pounds of pure live seed pls per acre drilled in a pure stand. When grown from seed, switchgrass is slow to establish because seedling vigor is low compared to annual crops.
Apply n at switchgrass greenup to minimize coolseason weed competition. Boydston arsprosser objectives to determine adaptability of switchgrass based upon yield monitoring, fiber quality, cultivar selection, nutrient use efficiencies, weed control and irrigation requirements. It grows to a height of 3 to 8 feet tall, depending on the variety. If seeds are planted using the broadcast method, the area should be rolled afterward to help. Guideline switchgrass establishment and annual production. Seed production fields should be planted at a row spacing of 30 to 42 inchs.
Switchgrass seed is harvested by directly combining the standing maturing crop or by first windrowing the crop and then combining the windrowed crop after the panicles have dried for a few days. Southern seed sources generally had heavier biomass production. Switchgrass is an important forage plant and potential source of biomass for biofuel production. Switchgrass is slow to establish, often requiring two to three growing seasons to. Seeding too early will result in the loss of some seed due to decay and herbivory, and. Biomass production increases throughout the early growth stages. Switchgrass panicum virgatum is a perennial native to the tall grass prairies of the great plains. Switchgrass has relatively small seed averaging approximately 370,000 seeds per pound. Growing switchgrass for biofuels authors rob mitchell. He recommends 10 lbs per acre when growing switchgrass as a crop. However, leading grass seed developers and crop protection companies are making progress, and new systems and products may be ready as early as 2010. Cavenrock is known to provide excellent nesting, brood rearing, and winter cover for pheasants and other birds due to its upright growth and stiff stems. Damon drinnon, coordinator, center for renewable carbon, university of tennessee. A large amount of dm produced by arrowleaf clover and its seed production in junejuly does not present a competitive issue for switchgrass because of its early, upright, and tall.
Cavenrock switchgrass is a perennial, warm season native grass that grows an average of 35 feet tall, but in some regions, can reach up to 6 feet tall at maturity. Management of switchgrass for forage and seed production. It is highly adaptable to a wide range of soils and growing conditions. Switchgrass seed is very small and much of it will not germinate right after it is harvested. Switchgrass switchgrass, panicum virgatum, is a warmseason bunch grass native to the tall grass prairie region that is found across much of the eastern and southern united states. Switchgrass has 380,000 to 400,000 seeds per pound which is more seed per acre than the other native. Switchgrass seed requires stratification and a soil matrix for germination and.
Commonly grown as a conservation crop or for forage and wildlife benefits, in recent. Switchgrass seeding recommendations for the production of. Better switchgrass, better biofuel june 17, 2015 kaine korzekwa using switchgrass to produce biofuel is one way to decrease the united states dependence on oil, but growing it and making it profitable can be complicated. Broadcast seed at a rate of 810 pounds of pure live seed pls per acre for a pure stand. There are reasons for differant seeding rates of switch grass. Herbicides for establishing switchgrass in the central. Seed treatments and coatings seed treatment technology is not generally available for switchgrass. Alamo switchgrass seed switchgrass, a warm season, vigorous perennial can be found growing throughout the united states. Dry matter biomass yields and other information were compiled from 1982 to 1992 at six sites in north dakota, south dakota, and minnesota. Switchgrass is a native, perennial, warm season grass noted for its rapid growth in the mid to late summer when high temperatures retard the growth of cool season grasses. Using switchgrass for forage university of tennessee.
There are a number of studies claiming significant energy returns using switchgrass as a solid fuel in the form of switchgrass pellets or as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol. In contrast, the use of switchgrass in pastures and hayfields in georgia is limited because other introduced species e. Seedhead is a large open panicle that opens with seeds borne on the tips of the branches. Pdf kansas switchgrass production handbook researchgate. The plant also provides excellent cover for wildlife populations. Switchgrass produces large seeds on a spangledtype seed head. Newly harvested switchgrass seed can have a high percent dormancy.
When used as part of a mix, ensure that the mix consists of not less than 1. Dormant seeding is planting switchgrass seed in late november or december. Switchgrass is widely adapted and found throughout the united states with the exception of the west coast. Garland, professor, agricultural economics chair, biofuels farmer education team s witchgrass is a warmseason perennial grass native to north america. Switchgrass is a vigorous, native, perennial, bunchgrass that grows throughout most of the united states. Growing and harvesting switchgrass for ethanol production. Guidebook for the sustainable production practices of. Materials and methods a pure stand of blackwell switchgrass was established in 1983. Pdf on nov 1, 2011, j holman and others published kansas switchgrass production handbook find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. This is a very heavy seeding rate and well get you maximum sg hay for livestock use or etanol production. Specific questions for switchgrass include the amount of land area that must be planted to switchgrass to meet the demands of the biorefineries, how soon switchgrass. The feasibility of switchgrass for biofuel production. Switchgrass bamert seed buy online direct from our farm. The stem is round, hollow, and usually has a reddish tint.
Seedbeds should be firmed with a roller prior to the drilling or broadcasting of seed. Maximum biomass production occurs in late july and early august. Yield response of switchgrass to nitrogen fertilizer near. Previously yields were based on 10year average yields. Recently, switchgrass has attracted attention as a potential bioenergy crop. It has been touted as an even better candidate for cellulosic ethanol production than. Guidebook for the sustainable production practices of switchgrass. In addition to the cofiring study, uk is conducting research on the potential of switchgrass for ethanol production. Its biomass production is not maximized until the second or third year after seeding. Switchgrass seed is smaller than most row crop seed and should. Fields in multiyear switchgrass biomass research studies often. Establishing and managing switchgrass mark renz, dan undersander, and mike casler switchgrass panicum virgatum is a vigorous warm season, native perennial grass adapted to wisconsin and planted for many purposes including livestock grazing, wildlife cover, and as a. Prices listed are based on pure live seed weight, not bulk weight.
Switchgrass alamo and blackwell switchgrass seeds for. The conversion of switchgrass to ethanol is a complicated process requiring a biorefinery. On established stands can use sheep or goat grazing early in season before switchgrass begins to grow. Switchgrass production steve fransen wsu prosser, h. Switchgrass seeding recommendations for the production of biomass fuel in southern iowa pm 1773 revised may 2003 the following provides information about the seed selection, storage, and planting methods used to establish switchgrass in southern iowa. Switchgrass seed crop may be directly combined in the field. Additional charac teristics that make switchgrass an ideal. Mow prior to weed flowering to prevent weeds from producing more seed. Growing in large clumps sometimes as tall 5 to 8 feet switchgrass is widely adapted and is grown in research plots from the southeast u. Growing and harvesting switchgrass for ethanol production in tennessee clark d.
If soil tests indicate a new switchgrass field has high residual n levels, n rates can be significantly reduced during the initial production years using the above information as a guideline. Better switchgrass, better biofuel american society of. Planting guide switchgrass in south carolina general use. Sustainable production and distribution of bioenergy for. The suggested seeding rate is 6 to 7 pounds of pure live seed when close drilled 8 inches or less between rows or broadcasted. Mf3018 kansas switchgrass production handbook ksre bookstore. Renewable and ltea rnative energy fact sheet newbio energy crop profile. The plant can reach heights up to 10 feet with an extensive root system.
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