Weeds: A Guide to Identify Water Efficient Biofuel Crops for the Southern Great Plains
Improved understanding of the structure of complex molecules like cellulose,
hemi-cellulose and lignin along
with evolving technologies of converting
cellulose and hemi-cellulose to ethanol are shifting biofuel focus to biomass from grains. Many annual and perennial crops are recommended for growing
on agricultural land for biomass production including switch grass, sugarcane, corn and rice. However, focus on higher productivity has excluded a
large portion of the country, including New Mexico, from participation in biofuel production. At the same time, higher input uses in biofuel crop
production are reducing resource use efficiency and net energy production by the industry. Therefore, participation of states like New Mexico in the
national energy drive and the sustainability of biofuel industry depend on the identification of well adapted crops for the region.
In a production process, the most limiting factor decides the quantity of output. In New Mexico, water is the most limiting factor for biomass
production. In such environments, higher biomass producing crops like switch grass which intercept solar energy throughout the growing season will not
be beneficial due to water limitation. Attempts to grow longer duration perennial crops under New Mexico conditions will require more irrigation water
resources. Therefore, a crop that uses water whenever it is available and produces higher biomass is more efficient and is sustainable over a longer
period. Identification of well adapted and resource use efficient biomass crop can improve agriculture sustainability in New Mexico
Weed species are highly adaptive and most efficient in using resources in an agricultural system. Amaranthus species, with small seed size, wide
adaptability, highly scavenging root systems, C4 photosynthetic pathway, and highly competitive nature, are one of the noxious weeds in the U.S. A
number of traits like higher photosynthesis rate, reduced perception of nearest neighbor, pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance, optimal
nitrogen acquisition and utilization, which are desired in a biomass crops, are anticipated in Amaranthus spp. Biomass production of wild and
cultivated Amaranthus spp. grown under varying moisture regimes in field and greenhouse studies will be used to elucidate water use and yield
relationships compared to sweet sorghum. Host of physiological and agronomic parameters will assess resource use efficiency and productivity of the
system.
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