Biomass Energy Characteristics of Switchgrass Cultivars Grown in New Jersey

Abstract

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a native perennial warm season grass currently being used as a bioenergy feedstock. However, little information is available on switchgrass production in the northeastern US. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of three switchgrass cultivars (Alamo, Carthage, and Timber) grown for bioenergy at two locations in New Jersey. Cultivars were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replicates at two locations, Upper Deerfield and Pittstown, NJ in spring of 2007 and 2008, respectively. A single fall harvest was made at each location in 2009 and 2010. Ash, dry matter content, and high heating value were determined from subsamples of plots collected monthly after harvest. Switchgrass biomass yields ranged from 8.94 to 13.21 Mg ha -1 . Biomass yields were similar among cultivars and locations tested. Dry matter content increased after fall harvest at both locations and reached acceptable levels in January. Mean ash content ranged from 14.0 to 25.7 g kg-1 and did not differ among cultivars or subsample harvests. High heating values ranged from 19.39 to 20.08 J kg -1 , with no differences observed among cultivars or harvests. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy predicted ash well but not high heating value. Results indicate that Alamo, Carthage, and Timber are high yielding, low ash switchgrass cultivars that could be promising choices for biomass production in the northeastern and MidAtlantic US, and that dry, low-ash biomass can be harvested throughout the winter if weather conditions permit.