Tuesday, November 6, 2007
165-3

Establishment of Switchgrass Trials to Characterize Biomass Yield-Site Relationships in Arkansas.

Charles West1, K.R. Brye1, P.A. Beck2, L.R. Oliver1, M.P. Popp1, D.O. Stephenson IV1, J.L. Schuler1, and M.H. Pelkki1. (1) University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas, 1366 W Altheimer Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72704-6898, (2) Southwest Research & Extension Center, 362 Hwy 174 North, Hope, AR 71801

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) offers potential as a herbaceous, perennial bioenergy crop for the southeast and southcentral U.S. Information is needed on factors affecting its biomass yield across a range of soil, temperature, and precipitation conditions in Arkansas to develop yield-prediction and economic models for a potential bioenergy industry using this grass. Replicated trials were established in NE, NW, SE, and SW corners of the state, with two plot sites in each corner situated on relatively well-drained and poorly drained soils, for a total of eight trials. Entries included two cultivars and four experimental populations of switchgrass consisting of  ‘Alamo,’ ‘Cave-In-Rock,’ NF/GA-C75, NF/GA-C77, OSU-NSL-2001-1, and OSU-SL93-2001-1. Two soil cores to 1 m depth from each location were characterized for profile characterisitcs.  Surface soil samples (0 to 15 cm) were taken in each plot to establish baseline data for each entry x site combination for future determination of soil C sequestration over the life of the trial.

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Back to The ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings (November 4-8, 2007)