Switchgrass and giant Miscanthus agronomy

Sustainable biomass feedstock production is the necessary first step for cellulosic biofuel and bioenergy production. Two species, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus), are of interest as dedicated energy crops as both have great biomass production potential. Switchgrass, a perennial warm-season grass native to most of North America, has been evaluated for biomass feedstock production in many parts of world and shows promise as a productive feedstock with many environmental benefits. Giant miscanthus, also a perennial warm-season grass, originated in Japan and has recently been evaluated as a feedstock because of substantial biomass production. The management of these two crops is very different; switchgrass is propagated using seeds and giant miscanthus is a sterile hybrid that requires asexual propagation using either rhizomes or plugs. This chapter provides detailed practical information on establishment and post-establishment management for these two grasses as dedicated energy crops.