Native Oklahoma switchgrass

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the award of $670,166 to The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. to study improved switchgrass for ethanol production. The three-year project will concern the development of a low-lignin switchgrass to be used as a feedstock in ethanol production processes.

"Renewable energy resources are an important opportunity for Oklahoma and the rest of the nation," said Michael A. Cawley, president of Noble. "Our ability to make switchgrass a viable feedstock for ethanol production could provide a more efficient alternative to corn and give agricultural producers access to new, non-traditional markets and provide them a reason to reclaim non-productive, marginal farm lands for new farm income."

Most ethanol is produced from fermenting starches or sugars found in agricultural feedstocks. The Noble project, led by Dr. Zengyu Wang, will involve modifying natural lignin production to make the sugars in switchgrass more accessible. Lignin is a structural material found in all plants. Lignin forms a strong, complex "framework" in switchgrass that encompasses the material's sugars. Dr. Wang and his research team will "knock out" (or down regulate) certain genes in these plants to moderate lignin production. This activity will not eliminate lignin production in switchgrass, but merely reduce it to a level that improves the efficiency and costs of ethanol conversion.

Ethanol production in the U.S. is on the rise. Corn remains the primary conversion crop. In 2004, nearly 1.3 billion bushels of corn were consumed by the U.S. ethanol industry, creating an additional $3 billion in revenue for agricultural producers.

"If all things were equal, the energy output from converting switchgrass to ethanol is at least five times greater than that achievable through the conversion of corn," said Wang. However, unless lignin content is reduced in switchgrass, such crops are not equal. Traditional practices have required intermediate processes (acid treatments) that are both caustic and costly.

The Noble award was one of only 11 awards made in biomass research, development and demonstration under the Biomass Research and Development Initiative, a joint effort of USDA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The 11 recipients will receive $12.6 million over multiple years. More than 670 proposals were submitted in response to the USDA-DOE program solicitation.

"This cooperative conservation partnership benefits our nation with enhanced energy security, a cleaner environment and revitalized rural economies," said Mike Johanns, Agriculture Secretary, in a statement accompanying the announcement.

Switchgrass, a perennial warm-season grass native throughout North America, including Oklahoma, has been targeted by DOE as a species of emphasis for development into a biomass fuel crop. Switchgrass has many characteristics that make it particularly suitable: high productivity, minimal nutrient needs, stand longevity, excellent pest and disease resistance, good water use efficiency, soil restoring properties, erosion control and adaptability to marginal soils.

"This award is a reflection of the quality of research conducted at the Noble Foundation and in Dr. Wang's laboratory," said Cawley. "We are pleased that the Noble Foundation will have the opportunity to directly contribute to this important biomass initiative."

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Photo cutline: Native Oklahoma switchgrass (Noble Foundation)

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.