Ceres Funds Project to Develop Improved Switchgrass as Biofuel Feedstock

California-based energy crop company, Ceres, in the United States, announced that it is providing research funds to the South Dakota State University (SDSU) to develop improved switch grass varieties for biofuel applications. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), is one of the dominant perennial grass species in the North American tallgrass prairie, an ecosystem native to central North America. It is a sturdy plant (drought and disease resistant), and has been identified as a potentially good feedstock for cellulose-ethanol production. The focus of the 5-year collaborative research will be “to develop higher-yielding cultivars adapted to production in northern latitudes, often called upland types”. Field and greenhouse research activities (which will involve cross breedings) will be led by Dr. Arvid Boe, a plant breeder from South Dakota State University. SDSU rsearchers will also do studies on the genetic diversity of switchgrass. Ceres technology will provide “selections support” and make the [crossbreeding] “efficient and predictable”.

Related information on switchgrass and tallgrass prairie
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switchgrass
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallgrass_prairie