Perennial grass to boost corn yield: Study

Growing perennial grass on least productive farmlands that are currently used for corn ethanol production in the US would result in higher overall corn yields, more ethanol output per acre and better groundwater quality, says a new study. The switch, according to an Illinois University release, would also slash emissions of two potent greenhouse gases.

The study used a computer model of plant growth and soil chemistry to compare the ecological effects of growing corn, miscanthus (a sterile hybrid grass used in bioenergy production in Western Europe), and switchgrass, which is native to the US. The analysis found switching 30 per cent of the least productive corn acres with miscanthus offered ecological advantages. Several hurdles remain before the transition from corn to cellulosic ethanol production can take place on a commercial scale, the researchers said. Converting the sugars in corn to ethanol is easier than releasing the energy locked in plant stems and leaves.