Herbaceous Crops

The goal of this task was to develop herbaceous energy crops that could be economically produced on a wide variety of sites and incorporated into conventional farming operations. The energy crops needed to be environmentally acceptable and convertible into specific energy products. The model crop system developed focusing primarily on switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), a native perennial warm season grass that is both highly productive and well suited to diverse agricultural sites.

The research strategy for herbaceous energy crops was to use screening studies to identify the most promising species and varieties and to develop effective production practices. The promising species and varieties were then moved into a research program to further improve production potential. Research projects included breeding and physiological studies and larger scale trials to develop improved cropping systems.

   Fact Sheets   

• Biofuels and Agriculture -- A Factsheet for Farmers
• Biofuels from Switchgrass: Greener Energy Pastures
• Miscanthus Facts
• Switchgrass Profile

   Publications and Presentations

The links below point to the online versions of many publications. Due to copyright restrictions, not all the materials authored by ORNL staff and collaborators are available on BIN.

BIOBIB, a searchable bibliographic database, can be used to find additional topical information written by ORNL staff and collaborators. Your local library can help you get copies of these items.

Many of the documents require a recent version of Acrobat Reader which is available on the Adobe website.

  Casler, M. D., K. P. Vogel, C. M. Taliaferro, and R. L. Wynia. 2004. Latitudinal adaptaion of switchgrass populations. Crop Sci. 44:293–303. Abstract (pdf).

Casler, M. D. and A. R. Boe. 2003. Cultivar × environment interactions in switchgrass. Crop Sci. 43:2226–2233. Abstract (pdf).

 Lewandowski, I., J. M. O. Scurlock, E. Lindvall, and M. Christou. 2003. The development and current status of perrennial rhizomatous grasses as energy crops in the US and Europe.
Biomass & Bioenergy 25:335-361. Abstract (pdf).

• Bransby, D.I. 1998. Interest Among Alabama Farmers in Growing Switchgrass for Energy. Proc., BioEnergy '98 - Expanding BioEnergy Partnerships.
• Bouton, J.H. 2002. Bioenergy Crop Breeding and Production Research in the Southeast. Final Report for 1996 to 2001. ORNL/SUB-02-19XSV810C/01.
• Bransby, D.I., S.E. Sladden, and M.E. Downing. 1996.Yield Effects on Bale Density and Time Required for Commercial Harvesting and Baling of Switchgrass. Proc., BIOENERGY '96 - The Seventh National Bioenergy Conference: Partnerships to Develop and Apply Biomass Technologies.
• Conger, B.V. 2002.Development of In Vitro Systems for Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). Final Report for 1992 to 2002. ORNL/SUB-02-11XSY161/01.
• Duffy, M. and V.Y. Nanhou. 2001.Costs of Producing Switchgrass for Biomass in Southern Iowa (pdf only)
• Graham, R.L and M.E. Walsh. 1999. National Assessment of Promising Areas for Switchgrass, Hybrid Poplar, or Willow Energy Crop Production. ORNL-6944.
• Gunter, L. E., A. S. Black, S. Ratnayeke, G. A. Tuskan and S. D. Wullschleger. 2003. Assessment of genetic similarity among 'Alamo' switchgrass seed lots using RAPD markers. Seed Sci. & Technol. 31:681-689. Abstract (pdf).
• McLaughlin, S. B., R. Samson, D. Bransby, and A. Wiselogel. 1996.Evaluating Physical, Chemical, and Energetic Properties of Perennial Grasses as Biofuels. Proc., BIOENERGY '96 - The Seventh National Bioenergy Conference: Partnerships to Develop and Apply Biomass Technologies.
• Meyer, D.W., W.E. Norby, D.O. Erickson, and R. G. Johnson. 1994. Evaluation of Herbaceous Biomass Crops in the Northern Great Plains. ORNL/Sub/88-SB844/2.
• Ocumpaugh, W., M. Hussey, J. Read, J. Muir, F. Hons, G. Evers, K. Cassida, B. Venuto, J. Grichar, and C. Tischler. 2003. Evaluation of Switchgrass Cultivars and Cultural Methods for Biomass Production in the South Central U.S., Consolidated Report 2002. ORNL/SUB-03-19XSY091C/01.
• Parrish, D.J., D.D. Wolf, J.H. Fike, and W. L. Daniels. 2003. Switchgrass as a Biofuels Crop for the Upper Southeast: Variety Trials and Cultural Improvements. Final Report for 1997 to 2001. ORNL/SUB-03-19XSY163/01.
• Scurlock, J.M.O., D.C. Dayton, and B. Hames. 2000. Bamboo: an overlooked biomass resource? ORNL/TM-1999/264.
• Scurlock, J.M.O. 1999. Miscanthus: a review of European experience with a novel energy crop. ORNL/TM-13732. (html version, pdf version, ~505 k).
• Taliaferro, C.M. 2002. Breeding and Selection of New Switchgrass Varieties for Increased Biomass Production. ORNL/SUB-02-19XSY162C/01.
• Teel, A. 1998. Management Guide for the Production of Switchgrass for Biomass Fuel Production in Southern Iowa. Proc., BioEnergy '98 - Expanding BioEnergy Partnerships.
• Vogel, K. P.and H.G. Jung. 2000.Genetic Improvement of Switchgrass and Other Herbaceous Plants for Use as Biomass Fuel Feedstock. ORNL/Sub/90-90OR21954/1
• Vogel, K.P. and R.A. Masters. 1998. Developing Switchgrass into a Biomass Fuel Crop for the Midwestern USA. Proc., BioEnergy '98 - Expanding BioEnergy Partnerships.