Abstract

Climate change mitigation and the high cost of transportation fuels have created an interest in utilizing biofuels to supplement the nation's energy portfolio. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has been suggested as a possible biofuel feedstock crop because of its ability to produce large amounts of biomass over a wide range of growing conditions and its ability to sequester atmospheric carbon into stable soil organic carbon. Appalachia has the potential to become a center of biofuel production with its large expanses of reclaimed mine lands that are central to the U.S. energy market. Our intention with this study is to identify the best varieties of switchgrass for mined lands in northern Appalachia, their planting and management requirements, yields, biofuel feedstock potential, capacity for carbon capture and sequestration and other revenue streams. Three mine sites in West Virginia were selected for switchgrass demonstration plots and each had unique minesoil characteristics. The Hobet 21 mine was reclaimed with mostly topsoil substitute mixed with some original top soil; soil pH was 7.2 and total C was 1.5%. The Coal-Mac mine was reclaimed with mostly original topsoil mixed with some topsoil substitute; soil pH was 6.1 and total C was 1.5%. The Hampshire Hill mine was reclaimed almost entirely with original top soil amended with municipal biosolids; soil pH was 7.2 and total C was 7%. Three varieties of switchgrass (Carthage, Cave-in- Rock and Shawnee) were randomly assigned and planted into 0.4 ha plots, which were replicated three times for a total of nine plots at each site. Planting was conducted in May of 2008. At the end of the 2009 growing season, biomass yields were highest for the Cave-in-Rock variety in plots that were well established. The Hampshire Hill plots that received high amounts of municipal biosolids outperformed other plots with no organic amendments.

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