What to Put Where? Ecophysiology Informs Strategic Integration of Miscanthus and Switchgrass into Cornbelt Landscapes.

A detailed understanding of whole-plant ecophysiology informs how we manage dedicated energy crops for multiple functions in the landscape. This presentation will explore ways that ecophysiological information can be used to design and tailor energy crop systems to achieve specific environmental, economic and social goals. The story will be told using examples from our work to first understand basic, whole-plant function (e.g., nutrient cycling, reproductive strategies and senescence) of Miscanthus species and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), then use that information to strategically integrate incorporate these crops into industrially farmed landscapes for targeted, and disproportionate, benefit.

Is it working? It appears to be. For example, we are learning that:

·         new switchgrass varieties may compete and use resources very differently than the old ones (and that may not be good news)

·         where you plant energy crops in the landscape matters (stuff runs downhill)

·         strategic incorporation of switchgrass into a maize field can not only keep soil, water and nutrients in the field, but it seems to actually make maize more profitable

Such work relies increasingly on integrated models that can be used to design targeted field campaigns. We should aim to focus limited resources by first determining what ecophysiological data, at what scale and in what units, is needed to reduce the crippling uncertainty surrounding bioenergy crops, then collect that information and use it to translate the promise of bioenergy into practice.