Native Grasses for Biomass Production at High Elevations

Abstract

Herbaceous perennial grasses as lignocellulosic resources are a preferred feedstock source for biofuels because they have a neutral carbon budget, require few agronomic inputs, can be readily managed to be environmentally friendly, and have the potential to be grown on a variety of lands, soils, and crop production situations. The Mountain West at elevations of 1,200 m, and higher, typically have unique and variable conditions typified by dry climates, cold-season precipitation, cold winter temperatures, hot summers with cool nights, large areas of public land, long distances to markets, large variations in soil types, variable soil quality such as salinity, changing field topography, and other factors. Large regions of the Mountain West are dominated by cool-season grasses that could be a desirable source for biofuel production. Tall-statured, cool-season perennial grasses including basin wildrye, creeping x basin wildrye hybrids, intermediate wheatgrass, and tall wheatgrass are viable candidates for lignocellulosic biomass production in this region. Developing a locally grown biomass and biofuel products could provide economic diversification to rural communities in the Mountain West. Establishing a regional supply chain for biofuel production could diversify fuel sources and provide a degree of energy security. Cool-season biomass grasses are not currently cost-competitive with other biomass feedstocks or other Mountain West energy sources. Policies that encourage market development, energy diversification and security could jump-start the market for cool-season biomass grasses, although long-term market viability hinges on their production at competitive costs. Furthermore, commercial production of cool-season perennial grass species will require considerable genetic improvement to develop these plant species for suitable biomass production.