The USDA-Agricultural Research Service has research units in Lincoln, Nebraska that collaborate closely with the University of Nebraska. The Grain, Forage and Bioenergy Research Unit focuses on improved management practices and plant materials for forages and bioenergy crops like switchgrass. Some of their major objectives include developing sustainable production systems for switchgrass and other perennial grasses for biomass energy. They receive external funding from sources like the DOE and NIFA to support research projects on switchgrass breeding, management practices, and insect resistance.

1. USDA-Agricultural Research Service
Research Units in Lincoln are closely tied to the University
We all perform collaborative research
Grain, Forage and Bioenergy
Agroecosystems Research Unit
Research Unit
University of Nebraska
Agricultural Research Division
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Sarath – Transatlantic Conference Lincoln Oct 17

2. Major Research Objectives
Forage & Bioenergy
Current project 2008-2013
1. Improved management practices and tools for grazed
grasslands in the Central Plains and Midwest.
2. Improved plant materials for grasslands of livestock
production systems in the Central Plains and Midwest.
3. Improved plant materials, primarily switchgrass, for
biomass energy production systems.
4. Develop sustainable production systems for switchgrass
and other perennial grasses for biomass energy.
Sarath – Transatlantic Conference Lincoln Oct 17

3. ARS Switchgrass Bioenergy Cooperative Research
Mandan, ND St. Paul, MN Madison, WI
Management Quality Switchgrass
Management Other Grasses
Corvallis, OR Breeding
Gasification Management
Other Grasses
College Park, PA
Albany, CA Switchgrass
Management
Switchgrass
Molecular genetics ERRC, PA
Lincoln, NE
Gasification
Switchgrass
Logan, UT Other Grasses
Breeding
Switchgrass Dawson, GA
Molecular biology
Toxin Research Management Economics
Economics
Ft. Collins, CO Harvest & Storage
Switchgrass Quality
C-Sequestration
Tifton, GA
Other grasses
Temple, TX Peoria, IL Breeding
Management
Modeling Fermentation
Conversion
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4. USDA Identified Five Regional Biomass Research Centers
Central-East (Lincoln, NE –ARS)
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5. BIOMASS CONVERSION to Ethanol
Lignin
Critical component
affecting convertability
Most energy-rich
Hemicellulose
Cellulose
CH3
Glucose Xylan
CH2
OH
Ethanol
Xylose
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6. Breeding a better switchgrass for ethanol - its more than just lignin
Less lignified tissues
Bigger cells
~40 % greater ETOH
High digestibility
3 cycles
~ 15 years
1 cycle
~ 5 years
Base population Low digestibility
A lot less ETOH
More lignified tissues Bioresource Tech. 102:9579-9585, 2011
Smaller cells
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7. Extramural Funding Highlights
DOE - The hunt for green every April: Factors affecting fitness in switchgrass
– $1.18 million (2010-2012)
NIFA - Mitigating insect herbivory of warm-season bioenergy grasses - getting
ahead of the curve
–In the early stages of insect evaluation
–$990,000 (2011-2016)
NIFA-CAP – Agro-ecosystem Approach to Sustainable Biofuels Production via the
Pyrolysis-Biochar Platform
– Regional project in IA, IL, IN, MN, NE, WI
– ARS Lincoln serves as Co-PI on the Breeding and Management components
of the grant
– ARS Lincoln receives $540,000/year for 5 years
All three projects have intrinsic collaborations with University of Nebraska researchers
Sarat
Sarath – Transatlantic Conference Lincoln Oct 17