Recipient Organization
ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
ALCORN STATE,MS 39096
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
(N/A)
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
0%
Goals / Objectives
The overall research goal is 1) to evaluate Alamo, Cave-in-Rock, and Arkansas Grand Prairie Switchgrass seedling production under hydroponic conditions and 2) to evaluate the transplant adaptability of Alamo, Cave-In-Rock, and Arkansas Grand Prairie hydroponically produced switchgrass seedlings in two soil types (Tunica and Memphis Silt Loam) in the lower Mississippi Delta region.
Project Methods
Native grasses have many environmental and agricultural benefits. They reduce the effect of global warming by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and then incorporating carbon dioxide into its above and below ground tissues (Bransby, 2005). Native grasses also increase water quality by reducing soil erosion and filtering runoff sedimentation. Native grasses do not require annual replacement like most traditional row-crops (Cash and Wichman, 2008). Thus, minimal soil disturbance once native grasses have been established. Native grass production could evolve into an innovative alternative economic and environmentally beneficial crop for local small farmers. Among the native grasses, switchgrass is highly desirable for biomass production in the Mid-Southern U.S. because it is able to use water efficiently with its deep roots, can produce high biomass yield. Cotton is one of the main crops in the Mid-South, but in recent years increasing costs of production coupled with low cotton prices have seriously reduced profit for cotton producers. Some farmers in the region, especially in Mississippi, have moved away from cotton production and planted their fields to other crops such as corn and soybean. Growing switchgrass as an energy crop may provide a promising opportunity to benefit farmers and strengthen the local economy. Arkansas Grand Prairie Switchgrass (AGPS), a native warm season grass, was chosen for comparison with a commercial switchgrass variety in this project because it is indigenous to Lower Mississippi River Region. Switchgrass seeds will first be planted in chemically non-reactive vermiculite and perlite ¿soilless¿ mixture for germination in the controlled growth chamber. The seedlings will be ready for transplantation in to the hydroponic system upon reaching at least 3 inches in height. The non-reactive soilless mixture reduces the potential of root chemical contamination before transplantation into the hydroponic system. Two Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponic systems (540 Plant Capacity) will be used for the production of 360 hydroponic switchgrass seedlings for each switchgrass varieties. Sensors will be used for real-time environmental monitoring hydroponic system functions, such as pH and hydroponic nutrient levels. The project will evaluate the effects these factors on hydroponic seedling production. Upon seedlings reaching 1 foot tall in the hydroponic system, they will be transplanted into two soils (Tunica Clay ¿ USDA-ARS Site and Memphis Silt Loam - Alcorn State University Site) for evaluation of their ability to establish on these soils. The biomass production, soil moisture, soil temperature, and light intensity data will be evaluated for their effect upon establishment in the Lower Mississippi delta region soils.