Stacy Bonos, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Department of Plant Biology and Pathology, Rutgers University
Perennial Grass BioEnergy Crops: Switchgrass and Miscanthus
Overview - Numerous bioenergy crops are being studied throughout the globe. Annual crops such as
corn can be amenable to traditional agriculture but require maintenance, many inputs and can disturb
the soil. Perennial crops such as Switchgrass can be grown on marginal land with minimal labor,
inputs or soil disturbance. Dr. Bonos describes her ongoing research with Switchgrass and
Miscanthus x giganteus. Switchgrass has become popular because they can be grown in many biomes
throughout North America, are a perennial which require few inputs, and can serve as wildlife
habitats. Miscanthus x giganteus originated in East Asia but are being grown as sterile hybrids due to
their invasive potential. They have many of the same qualities as switchgrass and additionally, the
entire plant can be processed into biofuel. Dr. Bonos describes in detail the various cultivars she has
growing throughout NJ and other States and compares their efficacy. She also describes challenges
arising such as poor germination, long-term management practices and disease prevalence. Finally,
examples of various annual and perennial crops are presented with pros and cons of given for each.
Key Words
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Bioenergy
Feedstock crops
Annuals and Perennials
Switchgrass
Miscanthus x giganteus
Marginal Land
Wildlife Habitat
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About Stacy Bonos, Ph.D. - Dr.. Stacy Bonos joined the department in 2001 and currently an assistant
professor. See Rutgers Department of Plant Biology and Pathology
11/18/10 – Stacey Bonos - Perennial Grass BioEnergy Crops: Switchgrass & Miscanthus
Essays 1. Biomass feedstock crops can be annual or perennial. Which are best suited for traditional agriculture
techniques and which can be amenable to “marginal” land and why? Which are more environmentally
sustainable and why? Be sure to include which require more inputs such as pesticides, water, fertilizer, etc.
Give an example of an annual and a perennial feedstock crop.
Annual feedstock crops are best suited to traditional agriculture because they are often not native and
require relatively high inputs such as synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, irrigation and crop
rotation. Perennial crops are amenable to marginal land because they are often native to the area in
which they are grown and do not require yearly planting. Perennial crops are more environmentally
sustainable because synthetic inputs are not added which can often pollute local rivers and streams by
stormwater runoff and erosion. These synthetic inputs also require high carbon inputs to create. Some
examples of annual feedstock crops are; Camelina, Canola, Soybean and Sweet Sorghum. Some
examples of perennial crops are; Switchgrass, Miscanthus, Willow, Poplar and Hazelnut.
2. If a New Jersey farmer was considering growing a biomass feedstock, which species should he or she
choose and why? Be sure to discuss the particular costs and benefits associated with the species, as
compared to a second species that would not be a good choice economically to produce.
A New Jersey farmer should choose a perennial crop such as Switchgrass or Miscanthus x giganteus
because they do not need additional inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides or water. They are also less
labor intensive to harvest and maintain. In comparison, annual crops such as soybean or corn do require
these inputs and labor. These factors are all monetarily expensive and may cost more than the grower
receives for the end product, resulting in a net loss.
Mutltiple Choice1.
Soybeans contain how much oil in their seed?
a. 10%
b. 20%
c. 30%
d. 40%
2. Which seed has the highest oil content?
a. Soy
b. Canola
c. Camelina
d. Hazelnut
3. Which is NOT a Tropical Plant:
a. Oil Palm
b. Willow
c. Jatropha curas
d. Energycane
4. Which perennial grass is NOT native to the Northeastern United States?
a. Miscanthus x giganteus
b. Switchgrass
c. Indian grass
d. Big Bluestem
5. Upland Ecotypes are characterized by being:
a. Tetraploid
b. Finer stems
c. Late maturing
d. Found in wet habitats
6. When harvesting switchgrass, to obtain maximum yield, it should be harvested
a. Once in late Fall
b. Once in early Spring
c. Once in July and once in Fall/Winter
d. Once in early Spring and once in Winter
True/False1.
2.
3.
4.
Oil crops such as soybean produce cellulosic ethanol – False
Switchgrass is established from seed – True
Switchgrass has excellent germination – False
Crossing a diploid plant with a triploid plant yields a tetraploid – False
Fill in The Blank1. Switchgrass is a _____ season (C4) perennial grass. - warm
2. Miscanthus is native to __________. - East Asia