Giant Reedgrass Seen as Potential Biofuel Feedstock

A report from the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida (United States) looks into the potential of giant reedgrass (Arundo donax) as biofuel feedstock. Arundo which is often regarded as a "noxious and invasive weed" is being investigated as a bioenergy crop. It is also known as "Spanish cane". Arundo donax is said to be a "C3 perennial grass", grows as dense clumps to heights between 5 feet to 20 feet. Stems are about one-half to one inch in diameter, and are hollow resembling bamboo. Arundo has a reported High Heating Value (HHV) of about 8,000 BTUs (British Thermal Unit(s) per pound. Processing of giant reedgrass into biofuel may involve gasification and subsequent conversion to "synthetic biofuels" or conversion into cellulose-ethanol by sequential treatments involving pretreatment, saccharification and fermentation.

Related information on giant reed grass
http://www.tripleoaks.com/wpgdisplay.php?id=129
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arundo_donax