Status of Production, Harvesting, Handling and Storing of Biomass Crops

Abstract

ABSTRACT Research activities on the production, harvesting and storing of biomass crops for energy utilization are reviewed. Crops include sugar producing plants, nonsugar bearing grasses and weeds, root crops, and some specialty crop species. While progress has been made in producing biomass crops, areas for additional or continued research are identified. These areas include (1) development of basic information on plant genes which control sugar, starch, and nonsoluble fiber formation, (2) development of production and harvesting systems for promising **new'* crops, (3) screening of new crop species with emphasis on seed production as a diesel fuel or lubricant substitute, (4) utilization of cull fruits and vegetables and processing wastes as ethanol or methane feedstocks, and (5) assessment of production costs including fertilizer inputs on fiber crops for use as furnace fuel.