Purdue Gets Grant to Develop Bioenergy Crops

Purdue University researchers have received $3.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture to determine the potential of grasses as environmentally responsible bioenergy crops. They will study production systems that will give growers information on how to maximize bioenergy grass growth on marginal or unused farmland.

"We need data to inform the food-vs.-fuel debate. In addition, we need to improve our understanding of the potential environmental impacts of growing new bioenergy crops," said Jeff Volenec, Purdue professor of agronomy. "At its core, this is about knowledge to make good choices."

Researchers will attempt to create models that will help farmers predict how biofuel grass crops might grow on marginal lands. "Putting a traditional annual crop on these soils is a high-risk endeavor for a farmer. Planting corn or soybeans could have a large environmental footprint," said Sylvie Brouder, agronomy professor. "This will give us critical information to understand the potential to produce sufficient energy with these crops that won't be competing with food."

A press release from Purdue University is at http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research/2011/110928VolenecGrant.html