Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/12
Outputs
Target Audience: Hay growers, irrigation districts, Extension, NRCS, students. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A small amount of statistical analysis time and writing time had been committed to the project in 2014. Manuscripts will be completed and submitted in 2015.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We completed the field component of this study in 2011. Two cutting of perennial grasses were harvested for biomass, soil and irrigation water was constantly monitored, samples were ground, and NIRS scanning will be completed in 2012. The growing season of 2011 was again cooler than normal; spring was very cold, but temperatures never exceeded 35C all season long. Even with these climatic limitations yields were acceptable. We did have some wind damage on the sweet sorghum resulting in about 75% of these plants root lodging. Perennial grasses were measured for LAI prior to each biomass harvest. End of season soil and root samples were collected and frozen until separated. Annual crops were replanted and all plots were fertilized based on soil test results. There was no wind damage to other crops in this study in 2011. In terms of ranking crops for WUE, sweet sorghum was highest and field corn (silage or grain) was lowest. Switchgrasses were lower than sorghum but higher than corn. Eastern Gamagrass was better than corn but lower than switchgrasses. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Mike Ottman, Dr. Troy Peters, Dr. Steve Fransen (PI) and Romulus Okwany TARGET AUDIENCES: WERA 1016 members (approximately 20) on June 21, 2011. Crop and Soil Sciences Graduate Students (approximately 35) on May 20, 2011. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None from changes in 2010.
Impacts
WERA 1016 toured this study on June 21, 2011 and the Department of Corp and Soil Science graduate students were also introduced to this study during their May tour. We have completed the outreach with the hosting of a Switchgrass Biofuels Workshop at Prosser, WA on December 8, 2010 and a Switchgrass Field Day on July 2, 2009 at the study site. Results of this study show switchgrass and Eastern gamagrass have higher water use efficiency than corn grown for silage or grain in the irrigated Columbia Basin. Sugar T sweet sorghum was the most water use efficient crop tested, however, we have experienced severe root lodging with sweet sorghum in 2011 and in previous years in other studies. Even though sweet sorghum has the highest water use efficiency of crops tested in this study, lodging problems will make it less attractive for growers and biorefineries, which must have a constant supply of feedstock. Sweet sorghum, although high yielding and with high water use efficiency, is likely to be dismissed as a dedicated bioenergy crop after a single event of severe wind damage. Perennial grasses require several years to attain high biomass yields but do not suffer from wind or other environmental issues as can annual biomass crops. It is unfortunate this study is ending at this time, since the perennials are just reaching peak production. I would hope funding agencies will consider in the future the unique nature of these long-lived perennial dedicated biofuel crops and extend study life until 5 or 6 years. But clearly the trend each year: perennial grasses require less inputs, are more tolerant to adverse abiotic stresses, respond to low input of water resources, and will be the basis for future cellulosic feedstocks. The perennial grasses also complement other feedstocks.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: None completed in 2010. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Mike Ottman, Arizona. Dr. Troy Peters, Ext. Irrig. Engineer, WSU-Prosser TARGET AUDIENCES: Dr. Tim Eggeman with ZeaChem visited the Prosser plots on August 4, 2010. Dr. Rich Koenig visited the research plots on August 5, 2010. We have a planned Switchgrass Biofuel Workshop on December 8, 2010 for the public, sister agencies, and growers. On July 2, 2009 we hosted a Switchgrass Field Day at Prosser and on October 18, 2010 this study was a part of a public field day at Maricopa. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: After two unsuccessful attempts to establish Big Bluestem and Osage Indiangrass grass, we substituted a high ethanol dent corn and a sweet sorghum for comparison for yields and energy value.
Impacts
Plantings of perennial warm-season grasses, previously reported, were made at Prosser, WA and Maricopa, AZ in 2008. Grasses were harvested twice per growing season for biofuel feedstock at each location in 2009 and 2010. Prosser uses a linear move while Maricopa uses a rill irrigation system. Four irrigation rates are imposed at each location with soil water monitored weekly with neutron access tubes. First cutting biomass yields were higher in July than October/November at each location. At Prosser the two grasses did not successfully establish so corn and sweet sorghum were substituted in 2010. Yields at Prosser were higher for corn silage and sorghum than combined harvest yields of the perennial grasses. Corn grain yields were lower than all perennial grasses. Yields were lower in 2010 due to extremely cold temperatures through most of the growing season. Biomass samples from 2009 have been prepared for NIRS analysis and 2010 are currently being ground after oven drying. Water use efficiency will be determined from results at both locations.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Cooperative research study with Mike Ottman at the University of Arizona and Troy Peters WSU-Prosser. This is a field and laboratory focused study investigating water use efficiency of cellulosic warm-season perennial grasses for biofuel. Successful grass stands were achieved for all switchgrass varieties and Eastern Gamagrass. We will have to replant the Indiangrass and Big Bluestem in 2009 as we did not get good stands from these species. Establishment year stands were harvested for biomass yields in September 2008. Samples were dried and ground for laboratory analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Project Investigator TARGET AUDIENCES: All who interest in biofuel and renewable energy, growers, ag businessmen PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: At this point we do not see any major modifications that need to be made. We just have to replant a couple of plot treatments and get good stands so they can be compared to the other treatments in the next few years.
Impacts
We have had a number of groups review our field studies this last year. One group was from PNNL in Richland, WA. These scientists had never seen switchgrass or other perennial warm-season grasses and we spent a great deal of time answering their questions. We also had a group from WSU-TriCities, Pacific Ethanol Inc, public media, and others interested in biofuel potential.
Publications
- Fransen, S.C. 2008. Potential of Switchgrass as biofuel crop in WA. 2008 WSHGA Proceedings. WSHGA. January 16-17. Kennewick, WA. pp. 103-106.
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Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: We have not received the funds for this grant. We are currently waiting for re-budget approval from the University of Arizona. Preparations are being made to establish the warm-season perennial grasses in 2008 for biofuel harvesting in 2009. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Steve Franse, Forage Agronomist, WSU-Prosser, Dr. Troy Peters, BioSystems Engineering, WSU-Prosser, and Dr. Mike Ottman (UA) TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Future cellulosic biofuel producers, irrigation districts, NRCS and Extension offices in the western U.S.
Impacts
Our project has made minimal impact because it is just getting started.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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