Yield, Yield Distribution, and Forage Quality of Warm-Season Perennial Grasses Grown for Pasture or Biofuel In South Central Oklahoma.

Fifteen warm-season perennial grasses were evaluated for yield, yield distribution and quality over a two-year time period in south central Oklahoma.  These grasses consisted of both introduced and native species some of which are commonly grown in the region while others were novel but thought to have potential for production of forage and dual purpose forage and  biofuel.  Each species was harvested individually based on maturity and biomass availability which resulted in, depending upon the species, one to four harvests per year.  ‘Alamo’ switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) was the highest yielding grass in both years of the study with an average dry matter yield of 17696 kg/ha. Distribution of total Alamo yield was 43% occurring in May with crude protein (CP) ranging from 9.7-11.5 and 47% of total yield occurring in August with a CP range of 4.3-6.9%. The high yield potential of Alamo and its ability to produce forage early in the growing season can make Alamo attractive for both grazing and hay production in the spring followed by biomass production for biofuel in the fall.  Other grasses that had two year average dry matter yields over 11200 kg/ha that should receive additional research for potential use in biofuel production are 'Selection 75' kleingrass (Panicum coloratum), 'Midland 99' bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), 'Carostan' flaccidgrass (Pennisetum flaccidum), 'Ermelo' weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula), and 'Pensacola' bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum).