Switchgrass
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Poales Family: Poaceae Genus: Panicum Species: P. virgatum
Binomial name
Panicum virgatum L.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a warm season grass and is one of the dominant species of the central North American tallgrass prairie. It can be found in remnant prairies, along roadsides, pastures and as an ornamental plant in gardens. Other common names for it include tall panic grass, Wobsqua grass, lowland switchgrass, blackbent, tall prairiegrass, wild redtop and thatchgrass. In his 2006 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush touted switchgrass as an efficient and environmentally friendly biofuel that could reduce the USA's dependence on oil. Image File history File links Panicum_virgatum. ... Scientific classification redirects here. ... For other uses, see Plant (disambiguation). ... Classes Magnoliopsida - Dicots Liliopsida - Monocots The flowering plants or angiosperms are the most widespread group of land plants. ... Liliopsida is the botanical name for a class. ... families see text Poales is a botanical name at the rank of order. ... Subfamilies There are 7 subfamilies: Subfamily Arundinoideae Subfamily Bambusoideae Subfamily Centothecoideae Subfamily Chloridoideae Subfamily Panicoideae Subfamily Pooideae Subfamily Stipoideae The true grasses are monocotyledonous plants (Class Liliopsida) in the Family Poaceae, also known as Gramineae. ... Species About 450-470 species; see text Panicum is a large genus of about 450 species of grasses native throughout the tropical regions of the world, with a few species extending into the north temperate zone. ... Latin name redirects here. ... Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 13, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... For other uses, see Grass (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ... North American redirects here. ... Prairie grasses The tallgrass prairie is an ecosystem native to central North America, with fire as its primary periodic disturbance. ... Pastureland Pasture is land with lush herbaceous vegetation cover used for grazing of ungulates as part of a farm or ranch. ... Petunia This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Garden (disambiguation). ... Species Bentgrass or bent (Agrostis) is a large genus with over 100 species belonging to the Poaceae family. ... George W. Bush listening to applause whilst delivering the 2006 State of the Union address Wikinews has news related to this article: President Bush delivers 2006 State of the Union Address Wikisource has source texts related to this article: George W. Bushs Sixth State of the Union Address Democratic... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the forty-third and current President of the United States of America, originally inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... Bio-energy redirects here. ... Synthetic motor oil For other uses, see Oil (disambiguation). ...

Properties

Switchgrass is a hardy, perennial rhizomatous grass which begins growth in late spring. It can grow up to 1.8-2.2 m high but is typically shorter than Big Bluestem grass or Indiangrass. The leaves are 30-90 cm long, with a prominent midrib. Switchgrass uses C4 carbon fixation, giving it an advantage in conditions of drought and high temperature.^[1] Its flowers have a well-developed panicle, often up to 60 cm long and bear a good crop of fruits. The fruits are 3-6 mm long and up to 1.5 mm wide, and are developed from a single-flowered spikelet. Both glumes are present and well developed. When ripe, the seeds sometimes take on a pink or dull-purple tinge, and turn golden brown with the foliage of the plant in the fall. Switchgrass is a self-seeding crop, which means farmers do not have to plant and re-seed after harvesting.[1] Also, unlike corn, switchgrass can grow on marginal lands and requires little or no fertilizer to thrive. Red Valerian, a perennial plant. ... For other uses, see Rhizome (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Vitman Big Bluestem is a bunch grass that is native to much of the prairie and Great Plains regions of North America. ... Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), also called Indian grass, is a North American prairie grass, and is the official state grass of Oklahoma. ... Look up foliage in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Overview of C4 carbon fixation C4 carbon fixation is one of three methods, along with C3 and CAM photosynthesis, used by land plants to fix carbon dioxide (binding the gaseous molecules to dissolved compounds inside the plant) for sugar production through photosynthesis. ... Fields outside Benambra, Victoria, Australia suffering from drought conditions A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. ... For other uses, see Flower (disambiguation). ... White-fruited Rowan (Sorbus glabrescens) corymb; note the branched structures holding the fruits. ... For other uses, see Fruit (disambiguation). ... This inflorescence of the terrestrial orchid Spathoglottis plicata is a typical raceme. ... A glume, in grasses (Poaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae), is an basal, membranous, outer sterile husk or bract in grass flowers that do not stand directly at the flower base. ...

Uses

Switchgrass is grazed by certain animals, used as ground cover to control erosion, farmed as forage for livestock. Grazing is the regular consumption of part of one organism without killing it by another organism. ... For morphological image processing operations, see Erosion (morphology). ... Forage is the herbaceous plant material (mainly grasses and legumes) eaten by grazing animals. ... Sheep are commonly bred as livestock. ...

Switchgrass is rich in cellulose, making it attractive as a source for cellulosic ethanol.^[2] It is at the core of an alternative fuel strategy announced by Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen in January 2007.^[3] Cellulosic ethanol (also called lignocellulosic ethanol/ ceetoh and ceetol) is a type of biofuel produced from lignocellulose, a structural material that comprises much of the mass of plants. ... This article is about the U.S. state of Tennessee. ... Philip Norman Phil Bredesen (born November 21, 1943) is the 48th Governor of Tennessee, having served since 2003. ...

As a drought resistant ornamental grass, it is easily grown in average to wet soils and in full sun to part shade. Establishment is recommended in the spring, at the same time as corn is planted. Ornamental Grasses have become increasingly popular over the last several years. ...

Background

Much of North America, especially the prairies of the Midwest, was once home to vast swaths of native grasses including Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), Eastern Gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and others. As settlers began spreading out across the continent, the native grasses were replaced by crops such as corn and wheat. Introduced grasses such as fescue, bluegrass, and orchardgrass ^[4] replaced the native grasses. Today, as [biofuel]s are becoming a mainstay in the headlines, the public is hearing about Switchgrass as an excellent prospect for providing ethanol for our cars. There are also other benefits and opportunities for switchgrass in our economy. Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), also called Indian grass, is a North American prairie grass, and is the official state grass of Oklahoma. ... Binomial name Vitman Big Bluestem is a bunch grass that is native to much of the prairie and Great Plains regions of North America. ... Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), also called alkali grass or desert saltgrass, is a North American prairie grass. ... Binomial name L. Corn (Zea mays L. ssp. ... Species T. aestivum T. boeoticum T. dicoccoides T. dicoccon T. durum T. monococcum T. spelta T. sphaerococcum T. timopheevii References:   ITIS 42236 2002-09-22 Wheat Wheat For the indie rock group, see Wheat (band). ... Species See text Fescue (Festuca) is a genus of about 300 species of tufted grasses, belonging to the grass family Poaceae. ... Species About 500 species, including: Poa abbreviata - Short Bluegrass Poa alpigena - Northern Meadow-grass Poa alpina - Alpine Meadow-grass Poa alsodes - Grove Bluegrass Poa angustifolia - Narrow-leaved Meadow-grass Poa annua - Annual Meadow-grass Poa arachnifera - Texas Bluegrass Poa arctica - Arctic Meadow-grass Poa badensis Poa bulbosa - Bulbous Meadow-grass... This page is a candidate for speedy deletion, because: it is patent nonsense. ... Grain alcohol redirects here. ...

Switchgrass is very versatile and adaptable. It can grow and even thrive in many weather conditions, lengths of growing seasons, soil types and land conditions. Its distribution spans south of latitude 55ºN from Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia and south over most of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains (Sizler, 2007) As a warm season perennial grass, most of its growth occurs from late spring through early fall and becomes dormant and unproductive during colder months. Thus, the productive season in the northern regions can be as short as three months, but up to eight months in the Gulf Coast area (Ball et al., 2002). For other uses, see Saskatchewan (disambiguation). ... Motto: Munit Haec et Altera Vincit (Latin: One defends and the other conquers) Capital Halifax Largest city Halifax Regional Municipality Official languages English (de facto) Government Lieutenant-Governor Mayann E. Francis Premier Rodney MacDonald (PC) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament House seats 11 Senate seats 10 Confederation July 1, 1867... For individual mountains named Rocky Mountain, see Rocky Mountain (disambiguation). ... Look up Perennial in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Gulf of Mexico is a major body of water bordered and nearly landlocked by North America. ...

One of the benefits of switchgrass is through soil amendment and conservation. Switchgrass has a deep fibrous root system – nearly as deep as the plant is tall. Since it, along with other native grasses and forbs, once covered the plains of the United States that are now the Corn Belt, you could say that they still help feed the world today. Their deep fibrous roots left a very deep rich layer of organic matter in the soils; making those mollisol soils some of the most productive in the world. By returning switchgrass and other perennial prairie grasses to the agricultural scene, many marginal soils will benefit from their deep root systems through increased organic matter levels, permeability, and fertility. Categories: US geography stubs | Belt regions of the United States ... Mollisols are a soil order in USA soil taxonomy. ...

As soil erosion, both from wind and water, is of great concern in all regions, the adaptability of Switchgrass is very appealing. Due to its height, it can be used as a low part of a wind erosion barrier (USDA NRCS, 2001). Its root system is excellent for holding soil in place. Some highway departments have used it in their seed mixes when re-establishing growth along roadways (Kansas Department of Transportation). It can also be used on strip mine sites, dikes(4), and pond dams. Conservation districts are already using it in many parts of the country to control erosion in grass waterways because of its excellent ability to anchor soils while also doubling as native habitat for wildlife.

Switchgrass is well-known among wildlife conservationists as a favorite among the upland game bird species such as pheasant, quail, grouse and song birds. Its small seeds are well-liked among them. Wild turkeys are also commonly found in Switchgrass stands. Depending on how thickly switchgrass is planted, and what it is partnered with, it can offer excellent forage and cover for a wide variety of other wildlife across the country. For those producers who have switchgrass stands on their farm, they consider this benefit an aesthetic one as much as an environmental one because they enjoy watching the wildlife. Some members of Prairie Lands Bio-Products, Inc. in Iowa have even turned this benefit into a profitable one by leasing their switchgrass land for hunting during the proper seasons (6). In an agricultural setting, like growing many acres of switchgrass for biofuel, the advantages to wildlife can still stand. Although the Wildlife Society suggests that rather than harvest an entire field at once, strip harvesting could be practiced so the entire habitat is not removed at one time for the wildlife that have made the switchgrass their home (7).

There is another type of conservation that doesn't draw as much attention as soil and wildlife conservation normally does: the conservation of our native plant species, such as switchgrass. By bringing switchgrass to the front of the news, we are revisiting a part of our nation's past that many have perhaps never thought about: when North American was covered in "that vast seas of grasses, so thick and high that pioneers said it could swallow a rider on horseback."(19) Maybe this will stir interest by a broader spectrum of the population in switchgrass and other native species that were once a part of our landscape which have gone to the wayside. There are groups dedicated to helping inform the public about native plant species, such as this scholarly group at the University of Idaho who has a published the Native Plants Journal and its online twin http://nativeplants.for.uidaho.edu/ dedicated to educating the public about native plant species (8), as well as groups with web sites like www.grownative.org, international organizations such as the National Audubon Society, and state organizations like the Virginia Native Plant Society. These groups can offer information about native species' habitat, pests, growth patterns, positive attributes and negative ones. They can also offer some interesting tidbits of history and anecdotes about some plants.

Biofuel

Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' switchgrass in early summer

Switchgrass is often considered a good candidate for biofuel — especially ethanol fuel — production due to its hardiness against poor soil and climate conditions, rapid growth and low fertilization and herbicide requirements. Switchgrass is also perennial, unlike corn, and has a huge biomass output, the raw plant material used to make biofuel, of 6-10 tons per acre.^[5][6] President George W. Bush mentioned this usage in his 2006 State of the Union address ^{[7] [8][9]}; since then, over $100 million has been invested into researching the potential fuel source^[10]. Bio-energy redirects here. ... Information on pump, California. ... Spreading manure, an organic fertilizer Fertilizers (also spelled fertilisers) are compounds given to plants to promote growth; they are usually applied either through the soil, for uptake by plant roots, or by foliar feeding, for uptake through leaves. ... An herbicide is used to kill unwanted plants. ... Red Valerian, a perennial plant. ... For the use of the term in ecology, see Biomass (ecology). ... This article is about the unit of measurement. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is the forty-third and current President of the United States of America, originally inaugurated on January 20, 2001. ... George W. Bush listening to applause whilst delivering the 2006 State of the Union address Wikinews has news related to this article: President Bush delivers 2006 State of the Union Address Wikisource has source texts related to this article: George W. Bushs Sixth State of the Union Address Democratic...

Switchgrass has the potential to produce the biomass required for production of up to 100 gallons (380 liters) of ethanol per metric ton.^[11] This gives switchgrass the potential to produce 1000 gallons of ethanol per acre, compared to 665 gallons for sugarcane and 400 gallons for corn.^[12] Species Saccharum arundinaceum Saccharum bengalense Saccharum edule Saccharum officinarum Saccharum procerum Saccharum ravennae Saccharum robustum Saccharum sinense Saccharum spontaneum Sugarcane or Sugar cane (Saccharum) is a genus of 6 to 37 species (depending on taxonomic interpretation) of tall perennial grasses (family Poaceae, tribe Andropogoneae), native to warm temperate to tropical... This article is about the maize plant. ...

However, there is debate on the viability of switchgrass, and all other biofuels, as an efficient energy source. University of California, Berkeley professor Tad Patzek argues that switchgrass has a negative ethanol fuel energy balance, requiring 45 percent more fossil energy than the fuel produced.^[13] On the other side, David Bransby, professor of energy crops at Auburn University, has found that for every unit of energy input, switchgrass yields four units out.^[14] In a 2007 lecture Professor Richard Muller, also of the University of California, Berkeley, noted that it is the conversion of switchgrass biomass into ethanol which introduces significant inefficiencies. He also noted that The Helios Project at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory is actively trying to engineer metabolic pathways in bacteria to more efficiently convert cellulose to ethanol. Bransby's work was the source for President Bush's comments in the 2006 State of the Union address. Sather Tower (the Campanile) looking out over the San Francisco Bay and Mount Tamalpais. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Auburn University (AU or Auburn) is a state university located in Auburn, Alabama, USA. With more than 24,100 students and 1,200 faculty, it is the second largest university in the state,[5] and according to U.S. News & World Report, has a selectivity rating of more selective. ... The Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), formerly the Berkeley Radiation Laboratory and usually shortened to Berkeley Lab or LBL, is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory conducting unclassified scientific research. ...

Switchgrass is being used to heat small industrial and farm buildings in Germany and China through a process used to make a low-quality natural gas substitute (19). It can also be pressed into fuel pellets which are burned in special furnaces used to heat homes, which typically use corn or wood pellets (9).

In the spring of 2008, 1000 acres of switchgrass will be planted near Guymon, Oklahoma, in the Oklahoma Panhandle to study the feasibility of utilizing the crop for biofuel. It will be the largest stand ever planted for such purposes. The project is being spearheaded by the Oklahoma Bioenergy Center, a state project backed by Governor Brad Henry.^[15] The City of Guymon, Oklahoma serves as the seat of Texas County, Oklahoma6. ... The Oklahoma Panhandle is the extreme western region of the state of Oklahoma, comprising Cimarron County, Texas County, and Beaver County. ... Charles Bradford Brad Henry (born June 10, 1963) is the Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. ...

Forages

Switchgrass is an excellent forage for cattle; however, it has shown toxicity in horses, sheep and goats (10, 11, 12) through chemical compounds known as saponins, which cause photosensitivity and liver damage in these animals. Researchers are continuing to learn more about the specific conditions under which the switchgrass must be in order to cause harm to these species, but until more is discovered, it is recommended that switchgrass not be fed to them. For cattle, however, it can be fed as hay, or grazed. Forage is the herbaceous plant material (mainly grasses and legumes) eaten by grazing animals. ...

Grazing switchgrass calls for watchful management practices to ensure survival of the stand. It is recommended that grazing begin when there is 18 – 22 inches of growth, to stop grazing when there are 8 – 12 inches of stubble left, and to rest the pasture 30 – 45 days between grazing periods (13). Switchgrass becomes very stemmy and unpalatable as it matures, but during the target grazing period, it is a highly favorable forage with a relative feed value (RFV) of 90-104 (14). The grass' upright growth pattern places its growing point off the soil surface onto its stem, so leaving 8 – 12 inches of stubble is important for regrowth. When harvesting switchgrass for hay, the first cutting occurs at the late boot stage – around mid-June. This should allow for a second cutting in mid-August, leaving enough regrowth to survive the winter. (15)

Establishment

Switchgrass stands can last for many years. The rhizome root system grows deeply into the soil and the plant efficiently uses the C4 cycle to fix carbon through photosynthesis for energy production. But establishment takes the proper steps and patience.

The first step is choosing your planting method, which will then determine how you prepare your seedbed. Various states' Extension Services recommend different planting methods for switchgrass for their regions, including tillage, no-till, broadcast and sod-seedling (15, 16, 17, 18). No matter which is used, initial weed control is essential since switchgrass is slow to establish, and the use of broadleaf herbicides over the switchgrass seedlings could cause the crop great damage. The seeding rate is five to six pounds of pure live seed (PLS) per acre in the spring (April – May) at ¼ - ½ inch planting depth (3). There are approximately 280,000 switchgrass seed per pound (3). Fortunately, the seed is large and smooth enough that it can be planted with most drills (16). Therefore, farmers choosing to move some of their acres into this crop for either biofuel or other reasons may not have to purchase a new piece of equipment. Germination occurs in approximately 5 – 7 days (15). No fertilizer is required in the establishment year, nor is it recommended: switchgrass is very efficient at utilizing the available nutrients in the soil and adding fertilizer would only increase the weed competition (9).

Once established, it takes three years for a stand of switchgrass to reach its full potential (9). According to David Bransby at Auburn University, it will produce a quarter to a third of its full potential in its first year and two-thirds in its second year (20). It is sometimes suggested that the stand not be harvested during the establishment year (9). Afterwards, each region has its own recommendations for fertilizer rates. The timing of harvesting depends upon how the switchgrass is to be used, and weed control can be addressed with limited herbicides, controlled burns, and mechanical methods.

See also

• Algae fuel
• Brachypodium distachyon
• Energy crop
• Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Binomial name Brachypodium distachyon (L.) P.Beauv. ... An energy crop is a plant domesticated for use in agriculture and is produced as a low cost and low maintenance harvest (generally, non food crops) to be used to make biofuels or directly exploited for its energy content. ... The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, usually referred to as PNAS, is the official journal of the United States National Academy of Sciences. ...

References

1. ^ Silzer, Tanya (January 2000). Panicum virgatum L., Switchgrass, prairie switchgrass, tall panic grass. Rangeland Ecosystems & Plants Fact Sheets. University of Saskatchewan Department of Plant Sciences. Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
2. ^ M. R. Schmer, K. P. Vogel, R. B. Mitchell, and R. K. Perrin (2008). "Net energy of cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass". PNAS 105 (2): 464-469. doi:10.1073/pnas.0704767105. 
3. ^ Phil Bredesen Governor, State of Tennessee
4. ^ Ernst Seed Catalog Web Page (2007). Switchgrass and Warm Season Grass Planting Guide. Ernst Conservation Seeds. Retrieved on 2007-12-08.
5. ^ bioenergy.ornl.gov Switchgrass Profile. David Bransby, Auburn University. Retrieved on 2007-01-05.
6. ^ Plentiful switch grass emerges as breakthrough biofuel. The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved on 2007-01-05.
7. ^ Adrienne Mand Lewin (2006-02-01). Switchgrass: The Super Plant Savior?. ABC News.
8. ^ Switch Grass: Alternative Energy Source?. National Public Radio (2006-02-01).
9. ^ Dana Bash, Suzanne Malveaux, et al (2006-02-01). Bush has plan to end oil 'addiction'. CNN.
10. ^ "Since that mention in the 2006, investment in switch grass has exploded, thanks in large part, experts say, to the president's speech. Venture capitalists have poured over $100 million dollars into private companies that are exploring the technology necessary to convert switch grass into fuel, and large, publicly-owned companies are also directing their research dollars into bio fuels."Jessica Yellin, Katie Hinman, Nitya Venkataraman (2007-01-23). What Happened to Bush Call for Switchgrass?. ABC News.
11. ^ Switchgrass: Native American Powerhouse?. Renewable Energy Resources. Retrieved on 2007-01-05.
12. ^ Biomass Energy: Growing Crops For Fuel. Texas State Energy Conservation Office. Retrieved on 2007-01-05.
13. ^ Ethanol And Biodiesel From Crops Not Worth The Energy. ScienceDaily. Retrieved on 2007-01-05.
14. ^ Switch Grass: Alternative Energy Source?. NPR. Retrieved on 2007-01-05.
15. ^ http://www.farmanddairy.com/news/oklahoma-to-plant-largest-stand-of-switchgrass-ever-for-fuel-research/

• USDA NRCS Plant Fact Sheet. Switchgrass - Panicum virgatum L. Plant symbol = PAVI2. 16Jan2001 JKL; 28sp05 jsp; 24may06sjp

• www.ksdot.org/burconsmain/bidtabs

• Farmers' motivations for adoption of switchgrass. Hipple PC, Duffy MD. Trands in New Crops and New Uses, ed. J. Janich and A. Whipkey, pp. 252-266, ASHA Press, Alexandria VA, 2002.

• The Biofuels Explosion: Is Green Engergy Good for Wildlife? Laura Bies, The Wildlife Society Bulletin 34(4): 1203-1205; 2006

• Native Plants Journal. Fall, 2000. Vol. 1(2) http://nativeplants.for.uidaho.edu/ ISSN 1522-8339.

• Switchgrass Production in Ontario: A Management Guide. Samson, R., 2007. Resourse Efficient Agriculture Production (REAP) - Canada

• The isolation and identification of steroidal sapogenins in switchgrass. Lee ST, Vogel KP, et.al. Jnl of Natural Toxins, Vol 10 No. 4 2001 p 273-81.

• Fall Panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum) Hepatotoxicosis in Horses and Sheep. Johnson, AL, et.al. J Vet Intern Med 2006;20:1414-1421.

• Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Toxicity in Rodents, Sheep, Goats and Horses. Stegelmeier, BL, et.al. USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Logan UT & ILS, Inc, Research Triangle Park, NC. As reprinted in Utah State University Extension Veterinary Newsletter. July, 2005.

• Table 28. Guidelines for rotational stocking of selected forage crops. International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) Forage Crop Pocket Guide Developed by Ball, Hoveland, Lacefield Edited by Armstrong, Darst 2006

• Table 33b. Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) and Relative Feed Value (RFV) Ranges for Various Forge Crops. International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) Forage Crop Pocket Guide Developed by Ball, Hoveland, Lacefield Edited by Armstrong, Darst 2006

• Planting and Managing Switchgrass for Forage, Wildlife, and Conservation. Wolf, DD, Fiske, DA. Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication # 418-013, June, 1996.

• Native Warm-Season Perennial Grasses for Forage in Kentucky. Rasnake, M., Lacefield, G. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. AGR-145, 2004

• Establishing and Managing Switchgrass. Renz, M., Undersander, D. University of Wisconsin Extension, 3/15/07

• Switchgrass. Salvo, SK, Brock, BG. Division of Forest Resources, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

• Plentiful switchgrass emerges as breakthrough biofuel. Bob Secter. Chicago Tribune. SignOnSanDiego.com The San Diego Union Tribune. 12/21/06.

• Switchgrass Profile. David Bransby, Auburn University. http://bioenergy.ornl.gov/papers/misc/switchgrass-profile.html

1. General Planting Guide for Warm Season Grasses in the Northeast U.S. & Canada. Ernst Seed Catalog Web Page http://www.ernstseed.com/switchgrass_planting_quide.htm Ernst Conservation Seeds, LLP, 9006 Mercer Pike, Meadville, PA 16335 Copyright 2007, Ernst Conservation Seeds, LLP. All rights reserved. Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA), mostly commonly referred to as PNAS, is the official publication of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. ... A digital object identifier (or DOI) is a standard for persistently identifying a piece of intellectual property on a digital network and associating it with related data, the metadata, in a structured extensible way. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 342nd day of the year (343rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... ABC News logo ABC News Special Report ident, circa 2006 ABC News is a division of American television and radio network ABC, owned by The Walt Disney Company. ... NPR redirects here. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... ABC News logo ABC News Special Report ident, circa 2006 ABC News is a division of American television and radio network ABC, owned by The Walt Disney Company. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

2. Lecture notes prepared by Tanya Silzer for lecture titled: “Panicaum virgatum L. - Switchgrass, prairie switchgrass, tall panic grass” www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/classes/rang/panicum/html

3. Southern Forages. Third Edition. DM Ball, CS Hoveland, GD Lacefield. Copyright 2002 by the Potash & Phosphate Institute and the Foundation for Agronoomic Research. ISBN 0-9629598-3-9 p 26

4. USDA NRCS Plant Fact Sheet. Switchgrass - Panicum virgatum L. Plant symbol = PAVI2. 16Jan2001 JKL; 28sp05 jsp; 24may06sjp

5. www.ksdot.org/burconsmain/bidtabs

6. Farmers' motivations for adoption of switchgrass. Hipple PC, Duffy MD. Trands in New Crops and New Uses, ed. J. Janich and A. Whipkey, pp. 252-266, ASHA Press, Alexandria VA, 2002.

7. The Biofuels Explosion: Is Green Engergy Good for Wildlife? Laura Bies, The Wildlife Society Bulletin 34(4): 1203-1205; 2006

8. Native Plants Journal. Fall, 2000. Vol. 1(2) http://nativeplants.for.uidaho.edu/ ISSN 1522-8339.

9. Switchgrass Production in Ontario: A Management Guide. Samson, R., 2007. Resourse Efficient Agriculture Production (REAP) - Canada

10. The isolation and identification of steroidal sapogenins in switchgrass. Lee ST, Vogel KP, et.al. Jnl of Natural Toxins, Vol 10 No. 4 2001 p 273-81.

11. Fall Panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum) Hepatotoxicosis in Horses and Sheep. Johnson, AL, et.al. J Vet Intern Med 2006;20:1414-1421.

12. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Toxicity in Rodents, Sheep, Goats and Horses. Stegelmeier, BL, et.al. USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Laboratory, Logan UT & ILS, Inc, Research Triangle Park, NC. As reprinted in Utah State University Extension Veterinary Newsletter. July, 2005.

13. Table 28. Guidelines for rotational stocking of selected forage crops. International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) Forage Crop Pocket Guide Developed by Ball, Hoveland, Lacefield Edited by Armstrong, Darst 2006

14. Table 33b. Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) and Relative Feed Value (RFV) Ranges for Various Forge Crops. International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) Forage Crop Pocket Guide Developed by Ball, Hoveland, Lacefield Edited by Armstrong, Darst 2006

15. Planting and Managing Switchgrass for Forage, Wildlife, and Conservation.

 Wolf, DD, Fiske, DA. Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication # 418-013, 

June, 1996.

16. Native Warm-Season Perennial Grasses for Forage in Kentucky. Rasnake, M., Lacefield, G. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. AGR-145, 2004

17. Establishing and Managing Switchgrass. Renz, M., Undersander, D. University of Wisconsin Extension, 3/15/07

18. Switchgrass. Salvo, SK, Brock, BG. Division of Forest Resources, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

19. Plentiful switchgrass emerges as breakthrough biofuel. Bob Secter. Chicago Tribune. SignOnSanDiego.com The San Diego Union Tribune. 12/21/06.

20. Switchgrass Profile. David Bransby, Auburn University. http://bioenergy.ornl.gov/papers/misc/switchgrass-profile.html

External links

• Switchgrass Fuel Yields Bountiful Energy
• "Switchgrass: A Living Solar Battery." Roger Samson (Online reprint)
• http://bioenergy.ornl.gov/papers/misc/switchgrass-profile.html
• Economics of switchgrass production
• USDA Studies Switchgrass for Ethanol and Energy Production
• Switchgrass as an Alternative Energy crop - European Union study on Switchgrass feasibility.
• Switchgrass images - Archive of Central Texas Plants
• Switchgrass images - Has closeup photos of spikelets
• Switch Grass Information Repository - General information repository on switch grass usage and feasible application as an alternative energy
• "Grass Makes Better Ethanol than Corn Does" - Scientific American article on the potential use of switchgrass for biofuels
• Study Shows Great Potential of Switchgrass as Biofuel Feedstock

v • d • e Bioenergy
Biofuels	Algae fuel • Bagasse • Babassu oil • Biobutanol • Biodiesel • Biogas • Biogasoline • Cellulosic ethanol • Ethanol fuel
Energy crops	Chinese tallow • Hemp • Maize • Rapeseed • Sorghum bicolor • Soybean • Stover • Straw • Sugarcane • Sunflower
Non food energy crops	Energy forestry • Jatropha curcas • Miscanthus giganteus • Switchgrass
Technology	Bioconversion • Biomass heating systems • Biorefinery • Fischer-Tropsch process • Industrial biotechnology • Thermal depolymerization
Concepts	Cellulosic ethanol commercialization • Energy content of biofuel • EROEI • Food vs fuel • Sustainable biofuel