Abstract
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatumL.) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardiiV.) are promising warm-season grasses for biomass production. Understanding the morphological and quality-related traits of these grasses can guide breeders in developing strategies to improve yield and quality for bioindustrial applications. Elite selections were made in Southern Quebec from four promising varieties of switchgrass and one of big bluestem. Biomass yield, morphological characteristics, and selected quality traits were evaluated at two sites in 2011 and 2012. Significant variation was detected for all measured characteristics, with differences varying by site and year. In some cases the selection process modified characteristics including increasing height and reducing tiller mortality. Switchgrasses reached a similar tiller equilibrium density in both years of 690 m−2and 379 m−2at a productive and marginal site, respectively. Differences in yield were pronounced at the marginal site, with some advanced selections having a higher yield than their parent varieties. Switchgrass yields were generally greater than those of big bluestem. A delayed spring harvest date greatly reduced yield but reduced moisture content and slightly increased cellulose concentration. Big bluestem had a higher cellulose content than switchgrass, likely due to greater stem content.
Highlights
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a perennial C4 grass native to North America which has historically been used as a forage crop and for conservation plantings [1,2,3]
In the case of switchgrass and especially big bluestem on more marginal sites it may take until year three for the stands to become fully productive as very large increases were experienced in year 2
Switchgrass was quicker to reach its optimum yield than big bluestem on both productive and marginal sites
Summary
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a perennial C4 grass native to North America which has historically been used as a forage crop and for conservation plantings [1,2,3]. Interest has shifted towards the use of the crop in biomass energy and biofibre applications [4], with research indicating significant production potential in Eastern Canada [5]. Growing interest in this multipurpose crop has led to an increasing number of breeding and selection programmes and the release of new commercial switchgrass selections in the 1980s (“Trailblazer,” “Forestburg,” “Dacotah,” and “KY1625”), 1990s (“Sunburst” and “Shawnee”), and 2000s (“High Tide,” “Carthage,” “BoMaster,” “Performer,” “Cimarron,” and “Colony”) [6,7,8]. Big bluestem appears to have some biomass quality advantages over switchgrass for certain
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